"Julian! Wait for me! "
Rosalie called out, her voice ringing with the excitement of a child finding her mother.
She dashed toward him, her hair fluttering in the breeze. Julian who has been walking slowly the moment he saw her, stopped dead in his tracks. He reached out an arm, waiting for her to reach him.
"Why are you running like that, my little one? You'll get exhausted, "
Julian said with a warm, indulgent smile as she skidded to a stop in front of him.
"Brother Julian isn't going anywhere, I promise. I'll always be right here waiting for you. "
Rosalie laughed, learning against him and gripping his arm tightly to catch her breath.
"I know …. But I just wanted to get you faster. Haa…. I'm really out of breath now, "
She admitted, looking up at him with sparkling eyes.
Julian gently wiped a stray hair form her forehead.
"Slow down, Rosie. We have all the time in the world. As long as you're by my side, I have everything I need. "
"Time and tide wait for no man, Big Big brother, "
Rosalie teased, her eyes twinkling even as a serious understood settled in.
Julian stopped walking and turned to face her fully, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Alright, Rosie. I've done everything you asked. I've rented that secluded estate without anyone knowing. But I have to ask …. why? Why the secrecy? Do I even have the right to know what's going on? "
Before she could answer, he continued, his voice dropping to a low whisper.
"And about the videos…. I've recorded every single one of my moments in detail as requested. Do you need more? I truly don't understand what all of this is for, my love. Please, explain it to me. "
Rosalie looked deep into Julian's eyes, her gaze steady and filled with an ancient wisdom that seemed for beyond her years.
She reached up, gently smoothing the worried crease between his brows.
"You will know everything when the time is right, Julian. Just for now, trust me. These videos….and that house…. they are the keys to our freedom. They are the shields that will protect us from the storm that's coming. "
....
After reaching home from the trip...
Julian picked her up with his car to see the rent house.
After this they goes to a silent resturant near the railway. They sat down at the corner table. There is only four customer in the shop including them.
Every time Rosalie looked at Julian, her mind flashed back to the horrific moment she last held him-his body cold, drenched in blood, his life slipping away in her arms.
The darkness that had consumed her life after losing her beloved husband felt like a fresh wound, bleeding anew in her heart.
Even though she was back in the past, she was constantly haunted by the fear that this was all just a beautiful, cruel dream.
Like someone possessed, she found herself reaching out to touch, Julian's face and hands over and over again, needing to feel his warmth to convince herself he was real.
Poor Julian, completely unaware of the tragic life she had lived without him, could only look at her with confusion and deep, protective love.
"Rosie? Why do you keep looking me like that? "
Julian whispered, his hand covering hers as she traced the line of his jaw.
"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, my little one. "
Rosalie forced a shaky smile, her fingers trembling against his skin.
"I know, Julian. I know. I just…. I just need to make sure you're real. Don't ever leave me again, okay? "
"Rosie…. "
Julian started, his voice thick with a mix of confusion and deep affection.
He took her trembling hands into his own, looking straight into her eyes.
"I know Isabella isn't exactly a good one. I've always known she had a bit of a mean streak. But...is it really necessary to be this worried? I'm not saying this because I don't believe you, my love. I just want understand. "
He squeezed her hands gently, his gaze softening,
"I'm terrified of losing you, just as much as you seem afraid of losing me. I'll do everything you ask-every single thing. But my heart is in a knot because I can't wrap my head around why are you so shaken. Can you please explain it to me? I'm just so worried about you my little one. "
Julian's words hung in the air, sincere plea for clarity. He was willing to be her shield, but he was starting to realize that the enemy she was fighting was far more dangerous thn the woman he thought he knew.
Rosalie looked into Julian's eyes with a haunting calmness. She reached up, her slender fingers cupping his warm, gentle cheek as if trying to anchor herself to his reality.
"Julian …. "
She whispered; her voice steady but laced with a hidden weight.
"Have you ever truly…. really looked into what Ethan does in his spare time? Have you heard anything concern about him? "
Julian frowned, completely bewildered by her line of questioning.
"What do you mean, Rosie? "
He asked, titling his head slightly into her plam.
"The kid usually stays out of trouble as far as I know. Sure, he stays out late sometimes, which leads to a few arguments with Isabella, but that's about it. I've never seen him cause any major problems. Why are you asking this? Is there something else…. something I'm missing? "
His voice trailed off, a flicker of doubt finally crossing his features. He trusted his brother, but the intensity in Rosalie's eyes made him feel through he was standing on the edge of a cliff he couldn't yet see.
"Julian…. you know the Eagle Wings gang that rules this area, don't you? "
Rosalie asked, her voice dropping to a cautious whisper.
"On the surface, they pretend to be within the law, but underneath, they run countless branches involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and every dirty business imaginable. "
Julian nodded slowly, a chill running down his spine.
"Yes, I've heard of them. But…. how does that relate to us, Rosie? "
Rosalie took a deep breath, her eyes softening as she looked at him.
"Julian, while we were on our trip, Lily warned me about something. I know how much you love and trust Ethan, but there is a truth you need to face. Ethan isn't who you think he is. He's deeply connected to those people. "
She squeezed his hand, sensing his internal struggle.
"Connected to Eagle Wings? No…that's impossible! "
Julian gasped, his face draining of color. He stood up abruptly, his mind racing with worry for his younger brother.
"I've to stop him, Rosie. I have to save Ethan before he gets in any deeper. "
Rosalie immediately grabbed his arm, her firm and steady as she tried to calm him down.
"Julian, please! Listen to me! It's already too late for that. If you try to save him now, you'll only end up in danger yourself. "
She lowered her voice, her eyes filled with a painful certainty.
"Do you remember your car accident last year? The one that almost cost you your life? That wasn't an accident, Julian. Ther were behind it. And you brother…. Ethan…. he isn't just a victim. He is one of their top lieutenants-their right-hand man. "
Julian stumbled back, hitting the edge of the table as if he'd been struck.
" Ethan…. did that? "
" For now, please just know this much, "
Rosalie urged, her eyes pleading.
"Do not confront him. Act as if you know nothing. I'm telling you this because I need you to stay safe. If you provoke them now, I won't be able to protect you. "
She continues,
"Everything I'm doing right now-the house, the equipment-it's all part of a test. I need to prove it, but I can't let anyone know yet. It's not the right time for the world to see, but it is the time for you to know. "
Julian stared at her, his mind reeling.