Bella's POV
The pity in my eyes seemed to ignite something fierce in Julian.
He pushed me away roughly, his tone cutting like ice. "Who do you think you are? Just because you've got some medical knowledge, what makes you believe I'd strike any bargain with you?"
Nobody truly wished for death. Even through three years of suffering, I had never once surrendered to despair.
Yet Julian's gaze held absolutely no spark of wanting to survive.
Bewilderment filled my expression. "Julian, what's gotten into you?" I whispered gently.
At those words, Julian went rigid.
That cherished nickname—he'd never imagined hearing it again, yet here I was, speaking it once more.
Julian's eyes blazed like distant stars as he stared at me, though the brilliance quickly dimmed.
He buried the feelings in his gaze and offered a harsh, mocking laugh. "Don't speak to me that way."
He believed someone like himself was nothing but a mockery in this world.
