HARPER
I waited for Julian to say something—anything.
Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe I had misunderstood him. But he just stared at me.
Like he was seeing me for the first time in years. Despite his warning to stay where I was, I stepped closer anyway.
"What do you mean we need to end this, Julian?" I asked. "Are you really going to throw away five years of our lives just because you hate that Dominic is still a part of mine?"
Julian's jaw tightened. He said nothing.
At that point, I wasn't even sure I wanted him to. I was too angry. Too hurt.
"I've told you over and over again that he means nothing to me," I continued, my voice rising. "You promised you'd be there for the kids. That you'd treat them as your own—"
"I have been there for them!" Julian cut in sharply. "Don't you dare drag the children into this."
He stepped toward me, his glare hard, his teeth clenched. I didn't move.
