Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 223

Willow and Julian had agreed to live like a married couple for three days, but Julian was busy throughout those three days. Even when he was at home, he spent most of his time attending to work in his study,

At night, he was rarely home. He would leave the villa every night and return before 5:00 am. After showering, he would fall asleep with Gabriella in his arms. He would sing her lullabies.

He only had three short days with her, so he gave her his all–he exhausted himself physically and mentally just to be with her. He wanted her to grow up with memories of a father’s warmth, no matter how brief it was.

On Julian’s last night with Willow, he returned home, overwhelmed by his despair as usual. He sat in the car, feeling drained as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. His hand trembled as he smoked his way through half of it.

Each time he saw Landon felt like the last. He’d hired the world’s best doctors to save Landon, whom he knew was in pain. He was such a tiny baby, yet he constantly teetered on the edge of death as he lay in his incubator.

The doctors had advised Julian not to force this, but he couldn’t let go. His darling Landon shouldn’t disappear from this world.

Julian didn’t know how long he would have to stick this out, but he knew that he wouldn’t give up as long as he lived and as long as Landon continued breathing.

Julian sat in the car for ten minutes before getting out.

It was his last night with Willow. He walked into the bedroom and showered before changing into a white shirt and black pants. He even put on a tie that Willow had picked for him.

Then, he headed to the nursery and kissed Gabriella tenderly. He fed her, making her stomach bulge. He rubbed it gently, utterly reluctant to part with her.

After that night, he would have to see his daughter leave him. Who knew how long it would be until they saw each other again? Perhaps she would be all grown up and even taller than Willow. Perhaps she would be beautiful and have countless admirers chasing after her.

Julian desperately wished he could be by her side as she grew up. Tears filled his eyes as he picked her up and placed her on the bed between him and Willow. Then, he held Willow’s hand gently.

The night was almost terrifyingly silent.

He knew Willow wasn’t asleep. He wanted to say a few generous things, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. They had children together, and he would always think of her as his wife. But their love, hatred, and the tangled web of emotions between them would fade with their parting.

After a long moment, he shifted closer to Willow and rested his face against her shoulder, saying lowly, “I’m sorry, Willow.”

That night was so long and yet so short.

Tyler, Liam, and their wives prepared to leave the Ziegler residence to head to Radiance Manor so they could see Gabriella. No one knew how long they would be apart from Gabriella, so they’d prepared plenty of clothes for her.

Four cars were already waiting outside the house, but Melanie was still checking herself in the mirror. She wanted to leave Gabriella with a good impression.

She was about to head downstairs when her phone rang. After answering it, she hummed and hawed in hesitation before sighing and agreeing. Then, she told Liam that she had to first visit a friend’s daughter who’d been hospitalized. It wouldn’t be too late for her to head to Radiance Manor after.

That angered Liam, He berated her for not getting her priorities straight.

Melanie ran a hand through her hair. “The driver just needs to make a detour. It’s not going to affect anything.”

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Chapter 223

+25 BONUS

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