Julian’s POV:I sat there, frozen in my own thoughts, unsure of what to do. The night that was supposed to end with celebration and joy had turned into a cold, lonely one. It was almost New Year’s, and I was alone.What I feared most had happened. Fred had told me, time and time again, to tell Samantha the truth about my status. But I always brushed it off, convincing myself it wasn’t important, that it wouldn’t matter.Now, seeing the hurt and disappointment in Samantha’s eyes, I realized how wrong I had been.I sat there for what felt like an eternity, watching as the world around me celebrated the end of the year. Laughter and cheers echoed faintly in the distance, but they only made the silence around me feel heavier.Eventually, I got up, brushing the snow off my coat, and made my way to my car. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white.“Julian, you’re such an idiot!” I muttered to myself, the words escaping like venom. My
Samantha’s POVOn the ride home in the cab, my phone rang. I pulled it out and saw Julian’s name on the screen. Without a second thought, I swiped to reject the call.I wasn’t ready to talk to him not after everything he said. How could he not trust me with his secret? It didn’t matter to me that he was a billionaire. All I ever wanted was him. But he thought I’d treat him differently just because of his money? That hurt more than anything.The cab driver’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.“We’re here, ma’am,” he said.I quickly paid him and stepped out of the cab.“Happy New Year!” he called out before driving away.I looked up at my apartment building. The lights were still on, which meant Rosy there and was awake, probably watching TV.I let out a tired sigh, adjusted my coat, and headed inside.When I reached my door, I paused. I could hear faint sounds from inside—whispers, maybe even moans.I rolled my eyes, shaking my head in disbelief. Rosy was having sex with her boyfrie
Julian’s POV:I couldn’t sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was Samantha, hurt and angry, and the words I’d said to her. My phone sat in my hand, but no new messages came through. No text. No call. I kept staring at the screen, hoping for something, anything, from her. But it was like I was waiting for a ghost.The knock on my door made me jump, and I stood up from the couch, my legs heavy. When I opened the door, Fred was standing there, looking at me with wide eyes.“What the hell happened to you?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. “You look like you haven’t slept in days. You’ve got bags under your eyes the size of suitcases!”I didn’t answer. I just moved aside, letting him in. I closed the door behind him and didn’t say a word. I walked back to the couch, picked up my phone again, and stared at the screen, though I already knew nothing was going to change.Fred sat down across from me, watching me for a moment before speaking again. “I called you
Samantha’s POVWhen I picked up the call, I heard Julian’s voice, but then there was a loud crash. My heart stopped, and I jumped up, terrified and panicked.“Julian!Julian!!Julian!!!”The phone went dead. I looked at the screen, realizing the call had ended. I immediately tried calling back, but it wasn’t going through.“What is wrong, Samantha?”I began pacing back and forth, desperately dialing his number again. “Pick up! Please pick up!”I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as the phone continued to ring, unanswered.Panic began to set in, and my hands were shaking as I tried calling again and again. Each time, the phone rang, and each time, it went straight to voicemail."Please, Julian... where are you?" I muttered under my breath, my mind racing with worry.I ran over to the window, peering out into the dark streets, as if I could somehow see him. But all I saw was the quiet of the morning. The silence felt suffocating. My chest was tight with anxiety, and my thoughts were a
Julian’s POV:Samantha gently guided me to a chair, her hands steady but full of care. I eased myself down, feeling the ache in my body but also a strange sense of relief.As I sat, I couldn’t help but glance at her. The worry in her eyes was still there, but it was softened now, replaced by something warmer. She sat across from me, her gaze fixed on me as if to make sure I wasn’t going to disappear.Despite everything that had happened the accident, the tension, the arguments I felt a quiet sense of happiness. We’d faced something difficult and come through it together. Even in the mess of it all, Samantha had stayed, and we were here, finally able to talk.I took a deep breath, the tension in my chest beginning to ease. “Thank you, Samantha,” I said softly.“For what?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.“For not giving up on me,” I replied. “For being here even when I didn’t deserve it.”She gave me a small smile, her hand reaching out to lightly touch my uninjured one. “We’re
Samantha’s POV: I gently placed my hand on Julian’s chest and pulled him away, breaking the kiss. His eyes searched mine, confusion and concern flickering across his face. “I’m sorry,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just…I don’t know if I’m ready to get intimate. At least, not yet.” His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he nodded, a faint, understanding smile tugging at his lips. “It’s okay, Samantha. I didn’t mean to rush you.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, grateful that he wasn’t upset. “It’s not that I don’t want to… It’s just… everything’s been so overwhelming. I need time to process all of this.” He reached out and gently held my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “Take all the time you need,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m not going anywhere.” His words were like a balm to my restless heart. I smiled faintly, grateful for his patience, even after everything that had happened. We sat there in silence for a moment, the tension
Julian’s POVThe moment Vanessa walked up to us, I could feel the tension rising in my chest. It had been years since we’d seen each other, but I couldn’t help but remember how things ended between us. Despite everything, I had moved on, and now Samantha was the one who mattered to me. But Vanessa... she had a way of slipping into old habits, of making everything about herself.As we walked toward the table, I could feel the unease between us, the way Samantha’s gaze flicked to Vanessa, and how she tried to keep it together, even though I knew she must’ve been wondering just how much history we shared. I was determined not to let it ruin the night. This was supposed to be about us, about moving forward. But Vanessa wouldn’t make it easy.We sat down, and the moment we did, Vanessa took her seat at the nearby table, not far enough to be out of earshot. I caught her watching us, her gaze sharp, calculating, like she was waiting for a chance to inject herself into the conversation.I
Julian’s POV:The waiter came by to take our orders, and I could feel Samantha’s gaze on me, as if waiting for me to make the first move.I glanced at the menu, but honestly, I wasn’t even sure what I was going to order. The truth was, I wasn’t hungry. I was just trying to make things right with her.Samantha tapped the menu with her finger, leaning over slightly to look at the options. “I’ll have the salmon,” she said with a small smile, not even looking up from the menu.I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I’ll have the filet mignon, medium rare,” I said, trying to sound casual, though I could feel the weight of everything on me.The waiter nodded, taking our orders, and once he left, I felt the silence settle in around us.Samantha didn’t seem uncomfortable, though. She just smiled at me, her eyes soft and warm, like she was enjoying this moment with me as much as I was with her.“So, what made you realize I was a keeper after our disaster blind date?" she asked, raising an eyebrow w
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