Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 43

Julian lay in bed, his gaze dark and unreadable.

After a moment, he got up and walked into the bathroom. Willow was washing up.

He stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder. His voice was low as he said, “Let’s wait another two years. I’ll be 30 then. We can have a child after that. Didn’t you always want to focus on your own things first?”

Willow lifted her gaze to meet his in the mirror. For a long moment, she simply stared at him, as if seeing a stranger.

Then, she smiled faintly. “What game are you playing now, Julian?”

His chest tightened.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he picked her up and carried her to the floor–to–ceiling window, pressing kisses along her skin as the morning light spilled in.

The white curtains swayed gently in the breeze.

She was as soft as silk beneath his touch.

It was nearly noon when they finally came downstairs.

Willow had plans to visit Grace. Today was the day Leonard would finalize the surgery plan.

After last night’s relentless intensity, Julian was unexpectedly gentle this morning. At the dining table, he placed a piece of fish on her plate and said, “Blair did a great job with this. Try it.”

Willow wasn’t particularly interested. Julian added, “I’ll take you to the hospital later.”

She glanced at him. “The driver can take me. It’s not on your way.”

Julian’s tone was casual. “I have some things to take care of at the hospital anyway.”

She didn’t argue further, quietly finishing her meal. But Julian kept watching her. His gaze was direct and unwavering.

Finally, Willow set down her fork. “Last night changed nothing. Don’t treat me like some naive young lady, Julian. That doesn’t work on me.”

He let out a quiet chuckle.

After lunch, they headed to the hospital. Willow went to Grace’s ward. Leonard would be arriving soon.

Julian, on the other hand, had a different destination.

He walked into an office building, heading straight to the director’s office on the fourth floor. As soon as he stepped inside, the man behind the desk stood a warm smile.

“Julian! Come in. Have a seat.

Julian returned the smile, settling into the couch. Samuel reached for a pack of cigarettes, offering one to him.

Julian raised a hand in refusal.

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Samuel paused, then chuckled and shook his head. “You’re right. Cutting back is definitely a good idea. I’ve tried to quit so many times, but I just can’t. My wife nags me about it every day, but what can I do? Work demands it.”

Since Julian wasn’t smoking, Samuel put his cigarette away as well. He slipped it back into the pack and sat down, taking the yellowed hospital report Julian handed him. It was the very one Willow had left behind.

“Take a look at this,” Julian said. His voice was low and steady.

Samuel adjusted his glasses and carefully examined the document. After about two minutes, he set the paper down and looked up at Julian.

This was explosive.

He had just learned something he wasn’t supposed to know.

The Ziegler family was already a battlefield, constantly locked in power struggles. If word got out that Willow couldn’t have children, the entire balance of the family could shift.

For a long moment, Samuel didn’t say a word.

Julian reached into his pocket and placed a check on the table. “I hope you can keep this a secret, Dr. Watson.”

Samuel stared at the 20 million figure, utterly stunned. It took him a long moment to rein in his shock before he lowered his voice and asked, “What exactly are you trying to say, Julian?”

Chapter 43

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