Samantha’s POVWhen I returned to the fitting room, I hadn’t realized someone had followed me until her voice caught me off guard."Your dress looks really beautiful," she said, her expression unsettling in a way that made me uncomfortable."Uh… thanks," I replied, reaching for the fitting room door. Just as I was about to step inside, she spoke again, stopping me in my tracks."Are you getting married?"I rolled my eyes internally, already annoyed by her persistence. Still, I forced a polite smile the kind that said "please leave me alone." I considered telling her the truth, but decided it wasn’t worth it. "Yes, I am," I said with feigned enthusiasm.Her face fell, and her expression shifted to one of sadness. "Oh…" she muttered. "Well, I’m not. But my therapist told me that if I visualize it, then it’ll become a reality. So that’s why I’m trying out dresses here."I nodded, clearly uninterested. "Okay… well, that’s, uh, a good way of doing things," I mumbled, hoping she’d take the
Julian’s POVSamantha laughed, a sound that warmed the chilly air around us. She had this way of laughing that felt... honest, like she wasn’t trying to impress anyone. For a moment, I found myself smiling without even meaning to."Together," she said, her voice quieter, almost thoughtful.She was looking ahead at the Christmas tree in the square, her expression soft. For someone who claimed to want nothing more than to escape her small town, she sure seemed at peace here. Maybe this place meant more to her than she let on.I leaned back on the bench, letting out a breath. "You know, this town’s got a certain charm. Feels like it’s straight out of one of those cheesy holiday movies."She turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying you watch cheesy holiday movies?"I shrugged, smirking. "Maybe. Or maybe I just stumbled across one while flipping channels.""Sure," she teased, the corners of her mouth twitching up. "Whatever you say."The easy banter felt good, like we were slippi
Julian’s POVWe walked a little further down the street, the chill in the air growing sharper as the sun started dipping lower. Samantha kept a steady pace beside me, her footsteps light, and every so often, she'd glance up at the storefronts as we passed by, taking in the charm of the small town. It was a simple kind of peaceful, a far cry from the hustle of the city. It was the kind of place where people knew each other, where nothing seemed rushed or out of place.We rounded the corner, and just ahead, I spotted a small coffee shop tucked between two buildings. The warm glow from the windows looked inviting, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted out into the air, making my stomach rumble.“Hey, how about we stop in here for a quick drink?” I asked, gesturing toward the shop.Samantha stopped walking, glancing over at the coffee shop. “That sounds good. I could use something warm.”She followed me inside, and immediately, the cozy warmth of the place wrapped around us. T
Samantha’s POVSharing something so personal made me feel a bit awkward around Julian. The weight of what I’d just said hung in the air, and I could sense the shift in the atmosphere. I wanted to change the topic, lighten the mood, and stop thinking about everything that had happened in my past.“Enough about me,” I said, giving him a small smile, though it felt a little forced. “What about you? Were you in any relationship last year?”Julian shook his head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Nope.”I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Really?”He nodded, not a hint of hesitation in his expression. “Yep.”I frowned, still curious. “What about two years ago?”Once again, he shook his head. “Nope.”My curiosity was piqued now, and I leaned in slightly, hoping for more. “Why?”Julian sighed, his eyes flickering with something unreadable for a moment. Then he glanced at me, his gaze steady. “Well… let’s just say, I was in a relationship many years ago, but she broke up with m
Samantha’s POVWhen we returned to the house after spending hours exploring our small town, I found myself glancing at Julian in a different light. He wasn’t as aloof or unapproachable as I’d initially thought. He was just someone life had knocked around, someone who hadn’t yet met a person who could truly see him for who he was.As we walked into the house, Mom was there to greet us at the door. Her smile was bright, and her eyes sparkled with that curious energy she always had.“Did you two have fun outside?” she asked, her tone warm but inquisitive.I turned to Julian, and we exchanged a glance. His small smirk mirrored the amusement in my eyes, and we both nodded at the same time.Mom clapped her hands together lightly. “Good, good.” Then she turned to me. “Sam, I need to talk to you for a moment before dinner. Come see me in my room.”I raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly wary of the sudden request, but I nodded. “Alright. Julian, I’ll be right back,” I said, turning to him. H
Julian’s POVI knew something was bothering Samantha during dinner, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.After her discussion with her mother, she had grown unusually quiet. I wanted to press her, to ask what was on her mind, but I held back. I wasn’t really her boyfriend—just playing the role—and I felt I had no right to pry.Still, her mood weighed on me. After we finished cleaning up the dishes, I went to our room to check on her. She assured me she was fine, though her tone didn’t convince me. Not wanting to push her further, I left her to her thoughts and decided to step outside for some air.Out in the garden, I spotted Rachel sitting in a chair, gazing up at the sky.I walked over and sat down beside her. “Not ready for bed?” I asked.She turned to look at me, a small smile on her face. “Wedding jitters, I guess.”“Well, I think Paul’s a great guy,” I said, hoping to lighten the mood. “He really adores you.”Rachel nodded, her smile softening. “Yeah, I know. He can be a p
Samantha’s POVI woke up to the soft buzz of my alarm and quickly turned it off, careful not to disturb Julian, who was still sound asleep.His steady breathing filled the quiet room, and for a moment, I just stood there, watching him. There was something about the way his face softened in sleep that made him look so different peaceful, almost vulnerable.Shaking off the thought, I grabbed my robe and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.As I made my way downstairs, the scent of something sweet and buttery hit my nose. When I stepped into the kitchen, I found Rachel already at the counter, spreading jam onto a slice of toast.“Good morning,” I greeted, pulling out a chair at the kitchen table.“Morning,” she replied, glancing at me before returning her focus to her breakfast. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”I shrugged, reaching for the pitcher of orange juice on the table. “What about you? Why aren’t you still asleep?”Rachel smirked as she grabbed
Samantha’s POVAfter breakfast, I went back to my room to freshen up. As I passed through the hallway, I noticed Julian in deep conversation with my dad. They seemed to be discussing something with serious expressions, and curiosity flared inside me. I wondered what they could be talking about, but I didn’t want to come across as too nosy, so I quietly continued to my room without asking.Just as I entered, I heard my phone ring from the bedside table. I walked over and checked the caller ID. It was Rosy. I hesitated for a moment, but then I picked it up. “Hey, Rosy,” I said, flopping onto the bed. “What’s up?”“Well… nothing much actually,” she replied, her voice light but laced with a bit of curiosity. “I just called to check in and see how things are going over there. Is Julian playing his part well?”I sat up a little straighter, my heart rate quickening. “Uh, yeah… he’s been great,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual. “Everything’s been going smoothly, I guess. He’s… fitti
The Proposal:Julian guided Samantha into the softly lit gallery, holding her hand gently. She looked around, her eyebrows drawing together as she recognized the paintings on the walls.“What’s going on, Julian?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. “These are my paintings…”“They are,” Julian said softly, a small smile playing on his lips.“I’ve been working on this for a while. It’s all for you.”Her steps faltered as her eyes moved from one piece to the next, taking in the care and detail he’d put into arranging her work. “You did all this? For me?”Julian turned to face her, his expression earnest. “I wanted you to see what I see every day. Your art… your heart… everything you are. You deserve this, Samantha.”Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of a frame, her voice low. “I don’t even know what to say. This is incredible, Julian.”“Come with me,” he said, his tone gentle as he guided her toward the center of the gallery.There, under a soft spotlight, stood a single ease
Julian’s POV:Later That DayI decided to stop by Samantha’s apartment during my lunch break. I couldn’t keep this from her. She needed to know about the DNA test and that I was doing everything I could to protect what we had.When she opened the door, her eyes softened slightly, but I could still sense the lingering tension between us.“Julian,” she said, stepping aside to let me in.“Hey,” I said, keeping my tone gentle. “I wanted to talk to you. I need you to know I’m taking this seriously. I got a DNA sample yesterday, and Fred is handling the test. We’ll have results soon.”Her brows furrowed. “How did you…?”“I played along,” I admitted. “Made her think I was buying into her story. And when Liam finished eating, I got the spoon he used.”Samantha crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “So, in a few days, we’ll know for sure?”I nodded. “Yeah. I just… I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t doing anything. This matters to me you matter to me.”She sighed, her gaze softening. “
Julian’s POV: She smiled, and I could see the victory in her eyes. She was convinced I was already halfway there, ready to embrace this new “family” she was trying to sell me. I turned to face Liam, forcing a gentle smile as I leaned forward slightly. “What do you like to eat, Liam? Ask away, I’ll get it for you.” Liam looked up at me, his eyes still hesitant, as though unsure whether to trust me or if he could ask for whatever he wanted. He glanced at his mother, seeking her approval. Vanessa, sensing the moment, gently tapped Liam on the shoulder. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Ask him what you want to eat.” Liam’s eyes flickered back to me, and after a long pause, he spoke in a small, shy voice, “Um… can I have some spaghetti? With a lot of cheese?” I nodded, keeping my tone soft and encouraging. “Spaghetti with cheese it is. I’ll make sure you get the best one they’ve got.” Vanessa looked pleased, her smile widening as she watched us. “See, Julian? It’s not so hard to be
Julian’s POV:The next day, I got dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a white shirt, my hair combed neatly. I sprayed a light cologne, aiming for a casual look not one that screamed billionaire, but one that said I was there simply to meet someone, not knowing I was walking into a mission.Operation get the DNA sample. Prove to Vanessa that I wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t fall for her manipulative trap.But I also knew that if I was going to get what I wanted, I had to play it cool. I needed to make her believe that her plan had worked, that I was considering starting a life with her and her son. I had to make her think that I had fallen into her trap.It was a weekend, so I drove to the café close to my office, a quiet little place that seemed unassuming. I parked my car and walked inside, scanning the room for any sign of Vanessa. I chose a seat by the window, knowing she’d be able to see me right away when she walked in.The waiter came over almost immediately, asking if I was r
Julian’s POV:“How did it go with Samantha?” Fred asked as I sank onto my couch, exhausted from the weight of everything that had transpired.“Bad,” I replied with a heavy sigh. “She told me to leave and give her some time to think. She looked so disappointed, Fred. Like I’d broken her trust.”Fred tilted his head, his expression softening. “What did you expect? It’s a lot to process.”“I know, but I tried to explain to her,” I continued, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I told her I just found out recently. Whatever Vanessa and I had it’s ancient history. But Samantha… she didn’t want to hear it. I don’t blame her, but I don’t know what else I can say to make this better.”Fred stayed quiet, letting me vent.“My life is such a mess,” I muttered, leaning back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “How did I not know Vanessa was pregnant? And now she’s using this, this supposed son to trap me into being with her. She’s dreaming if she thinks that’s going to happen.”Fr
Samantha’s POV: After Julian walked out of my apartment, I leaned on the door, my back pressed against it as I tried to process the shocking news he had just revealed to me. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. A child? Julian was the father of some child Vanessa had kept hidden all these years? I could hardly wrap my head around it. Rosy, who had been sitting inside when Julian came, had overheard the entire conversation. She stepped out cautiously, her eyes wide with concern as she noticed me standing frozen by the door. “Are… you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but full of knowing. It was obvious from the look on my face that I wasn’t okay, but she still needed to ask. I stared at her for a moment, not sure how to respond. The weight of the news was still sinking in, and the hurt of it all was so fresh. “I don’t know,” I finally managed, my voice shaking. “How am I supposed to be okay after hearing something like that?” Rosy stepped closer, her expression softe
Julian’s POV:That evening, I couldn't focus on anything. The weight of the situation was heavy, and my thoughts kept circling back to how I was going to tell Samantha about the possibility of me having a son with Vanessa.I sat at my desk, staring at the papers in front of me, but my mind was a million miles away. The images of the birth certificate, the photographs—those damn photographs kept replaying in my mind. How had I not seen this coming? Yeah, Vanessa and I had hooked up a lot back in school, but she had always been so careful. We were always cautious when it came to sex. She was the one who insisted we use protection, the one who said she didn’t want a child to ruin her "chance of a happy, free life."So, how the hell was she now telling me she had a child for me? It didn’t make sense. The entire thing felt like a bad joke. My mind refused to believe it, but the evidence was right in front of me, like some twisted reality I couldn't escape from.I leaned back in my chai
Julian’s POV:As I drove back to my office, my mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last.The picture of the boy kept flashing in my head his wide brown eyes, the shape of his nose, the faint shadow of something familiar in his expression.Was it possible? Could Vanessa be telling the truth, or was this just another one of her twisted games to claw her way back into my life?When I arrived at the office, Fred was already waiting for me. His face was serious as he held his tablet, likely already compiling information. I hadn’t even stepped fully into the room before he started.“Boss, I’ve got my guy working on a background check on Vanessa,” Fred said, following me into my office. “We’re trying to trace her movements for the past few years. If she’s been living with a kid or has any connection to the boy, we’ll find out soon.”“Good,” I said, taking off my coat and throwing it over a chair. I sat down behind my desk, but I couldn’t bring myself to focus
Julian’s POV:When Samantha texted me about Vanessa, a surge of frustration hit me. What was Vanessa playing at? First, she tries to stir up trouble at dinner, called me that she wanted us to see and talk and now she’s harassing Samantha at work?I leaned back in my office chair, staring at the screen. I needed to put a stop to this before Vanessa took things too far.Fred knocked on the door, poking his head in. “You ready for the meeting boss?”I didn’t respond as I was thinking about what Samantha just told me.“You okay, boss? You look like you’re about to punch something.” he asked as he entered my office and closed the door.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Vanessa. She went to Samantha’s work today.”Fred’s face twisted in disgust. “What is wrong with that woman? She’s like a bad penny that keeps showing up.”“She’s testing boundaries,” I muttered. “Trying to see how far she can go. But I’m not letting her mess with Samantha. Not again.”Fred crossed his arms, l