Chapter 354
Julie's Point of View
I walked with calm steps toward the outer entrance of the house; the echoes of the previous violent knocking still vibrated through the hallway, breaking the heavy stillness. I extended my palm with a deliberate slowness, gripped the cold metallic handle, and pulled the door open as it let out a faint creak.
My eyes widened slightly in a sudden, quiet contemplation when I found Mike standing right before me. He was wearing a long, charcoal-colored coat that accentuated his athletic build, and a faint, warm smile was etched onto his lips, offering a pleasant welcome that completely pierced the charged, volatile atmosphere lingering inside.
"Julie... hello. I hope I'm not disturbing you at this hour."
I nodded my head with a freezing calm, running my palm in a familiar, mechanical motion along the edge of the wooden door to conceal my erratic breathing from what had just transpired inside mere moments ago. I spoke in a lowered tone:
