Lily couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion and hurt as she lay in her bed, thinking about Julian's reaction. She had thought she was trying to help him, to support him in his struggles with his uncle and the family legacy. But instead, he had asked her to leave, his expression unreadable.
Why didn't he want to consummate their marriage? she wondered. It wasn't as if he was saving himself for someone else. She had heard rumors about his numerous mistresses, and the way he had looked at her in the past suggested that he was attracted to her.
Lily's thoughts swirled with questions and doubts, and she couldn't help but feel a little rejected. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind racing with possibilities.
Lily fell into a restless sleep, her mind still reeling with questions about Julian's reaction. Meanwhile, Julian couldn't shake off the guilt that had settled in his chest. He thought about how he had asked Lily to leave, and the look of hurt in her eyes. He felt a pang of regret, wondering if he had been too harsh. Why was he pushing her away, when all he wanted was to keep her close? The conflicting emotions swirled in his mind, leaving him feeling lost and uncertain.
Lily's eyes fluttered open to find Julian standing over her, his intense gaze fixed on her face. She felt a jolt of surprise, her heart racing as she took in the sight of him. The morning light streaming through the window highlighted the sharp planes of his face, and for a moment, Lily forgot to breathe.
"Good morning," Julian said, his deep voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine.
Lily's cheeks flushed as she sat up, pulling the sheets up to her chest. "Good morning," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry," Julian said, his voice low and detached. With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lily standing alone, the apology hanging in the air like an unanswered question.
Lily watched as Julian turned and walked away, his apology still echoing in her ears. The words "I'm sorry" lingered, but the coldness with which he delivered them left her feeling unsettled. She stood there, frozen in uncertainty, wondering if that was all he had to say for himself. The abrupt departure left her with more questions than answers, and a sense of unease that lingered long after he was gone.
The dining room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of soft chatter between the staff as they laid out the breakfast spread. Julian and Lily sat down at the table, the tension between them palpable. Lily poured herself a cup of coffee, her eyes fixed on the cup as she tried to process the brief apology from earlier. Julian, meanwhile, seemed intent on his phone, his eyes scanning the screen with a mixture of focus and detachment.
The silence between them was oppressive, punctuated only by the clinking of utensils against plates as they served themselves from the array of dishes. Lily couldn't help but steal glances at Julian, trying to read his mood, but his expression remained inscrutable.
"Did you sleep well?" Julian asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence, but his tone was polite rather than genuinely inquiring.
Lily hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Yes, I did," she said finally, her voice neutral.
Julian nodded, his eyes returning to his phone, the silence stretching out between them once again.
As Julian stood up to leave, Lily couldn't help but notice the way he seemed to be avoiding eye contact, his movements swift and purposeful as he headed towards the shower. The sound of the door closing behind him was followed by the distant hum of the water, and Lily was left alone with her thoughts once again.
She let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. Relief that the awkward silence at the breakfast table was broken, and frustration that she still had no idea what was going on in Julian's mind. She wondered if things would ever change between them, or if they would forever be stuck in this limbo of uncertainty.
Julian got up and left the room, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts. After what felt like an eternity, he returned with a woman by his side. Lily's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the elegantly dressed woman, her designer handbag and heels a stark contrast to Lily's simple attire.
The woman's smile faltered for a moment as she took in Lily's presence, before she regained her composure and smiled brightly at Julian. "Darling, I'm so glad we're doing this," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Lily's mind reeled as she tried to process the situation. Who was this woman, and why was Julian bringing her into their home? The questions swirled in her head, but she couldn't seem to find her voice to ask them.
Lily's eyes widened in shock as she saw the woman standing beside him. The woman's presence seemed to fill the room with an air of confidence, her designer clothes and perfectly coiffed hair a stark contrast to Lily's simple attire.
"Who's this?" Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside her.
Julian's expression was nonchalant, but Lily could sense a hint of defiance behind his eyes. "This is Sophia," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "We've been working together on a project, and I thought it would be a good idea for her to join us for lunch."
Lily's mind reeled as she tried to process the situation. She couldn't believe Julian would bring his mistress into their home, into their space. The audacity of it all left her speechless.
The words cut deep, and Lily felt as though she'd been slapped. A contract marriage? Was that all their relationship meant to him? She thought about all the moments they'd shared, the laughter, the tears, the whispers in the dead of night. It all felt like a lie now.
Lily's eyes stung as she fought back tears. She wanted to scream, to rage, to demand answers. But something about Julian's detached demeanor stopped her. Instead, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."
Sophia, seemingly oblivious to the tension, chatted on about her latest project, and Julian listened intently, his expression a mask of politeness. Lily felt like a ghost hovering on the periphery of their conversation, invisible and insignificant.
As the meal progressed, Lily's numbness gave way to a growing sense of anger. How dare he reduce their relationship to a mere contract? How dare he bring his mistress into their home and expect her to play along? The questions swirled in her mind, but she kept her silence, her eyes fixed on the plate in front of her.
Lily's eyes flashed with anger as Sophia settled into the room, chatting with Julian as if she were a part of their lives. "So, Julian, darling, how's the project going?" Sophia asked, her voice dripping with familiarity.
Julian smiled, his eyes never meeting Lily's. "It's going well, Sophia. We're making good progress."
Lily felt a surge of resentment. Who was this woman, and why was she here? She tried to keep her cool, but her voice was tight with emotion. "Julian, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Julian's expression was nonchalant, but his eyes held a warning. "What's this about, Lily? Can't it wait?"
Lily's anger boiled over. "No, it can't wait. Now, please."
Julian sighed, standing up. "Fine. Excuse us, Sophia."
As they stepped out of the room, Lily's words tumbled out in a rush. "What is she doing here? What's going on, Julian?"
Julian's face hardened. "Mind your business, Lily. After all, it's just a marriage contract."