Julian Sterling's face was expressionless, his voice cutting through the moist air to reach Lily Parker: "What are you doing here all alone in this storm? Where's Ethan?" He was completely unaware of how bitterly jealous his tone sounded.Lily, woodenly staring at the bridal shop window now shadowed by Julian's reflection, obscuring the white gowns, bit her lip and slowly turned around. She passed him without a word, determined not to engage with him.Julian wasn't one to be easily dismissed. His face darkened as he suddenly grasped her arm, his voice deep and slightly hoarse, "Isn't it polite to greet a friend before leaving? You know that, don't you?" The rain had almost stopped, but the wind persisted. Her wet hair brushed against his hand, a chill seeping into his heart, contrasting with the warmth of his fingers.His dark, shining eyes intensely fixed on her, forcing her to turn back. Her brows were tightly knit, not in anger at him, but focused on an elderly couple crossing the
Lily couldn't bother with that anymore and headed for the door. Yet, somehow, she looked back one more time. Julian, overheated, had thrown off the blanket and was turning over, muttering in discomfort. His voice was so low she couldn't hear it, but as she approached, she heard him calling, "Lily, Lily..."She stood frozen, gazing unblinkingly at Julian, his face flushed with fever.Illness reveals a person's most vulnerable state, where longing reaches the deepest part of the soul, revealing the most genuine feelings. He was thinking of Lily, even if he hadn't realized it himself.Lily, puzzled, reached out to touch his forehead, finding it burning hot and damp with sweat. It was he who had the fever. She nudged his shoulder, calling out again, "Julian?" But he just murmured and grabbed her hand, completely unconscious.Lily Parker struggled to withdraw her hand, her heart softening despite herself. She sighed, fetched a hot towel from the bathroom to wipe his sweat, added another bl
Julian lifted his face with a satisfied smile, "Everyone says I've been acting out of character lately, like a lovesick fool. I don't even know when I started to fall for you, but I can't help thinking about you, even just seeing you once would be enough. I thought you had left just now and was about to lose my temper, but then you appeared, Lily. You don't know how happy that made me." Lily quietly let Julian hold her, and then neither of them spoke again. Julian patiently waited for her response. His cheeks were flushed from the fever, and the hallway was a bit chilly, but holding her in his arms, his heart slowly warmed. His gaze was tender as he looked down at her from this angle. Her eyelashes seemed exceptionally long, her eyes as clear as mountain spring water, deep and reflective. He remembered the first time he saw her; it was those eyes that had caught his attention. He had thought then, how could a woman's eyes be so bright, almost capturing his soul? Something deep insid
Lily gently shook her head."You don't love me, Julian. You're just in love with the thrill of the chase. If I had easily given in to you from the start, by now I'd probably be forgotten due to lack of novelty, just a trivial embellishment in your game of life. Julian Sterling, loving someone isn't like this. As you said, our beginning was too terrible, so there's no possibility for anything more.""How can you say there's no possibility?" Julian forced her to meet his gaze, his piercing eyes as if devouring her. "How do you know I'm just living some ridiculous game?"Lily's gaze was unexpectedly gentle as she calmly faced his anger. "Julian, you were the one who said it was all just a game, remember?"Julian was momentarily speechless, not expecting his past flippant words to become her weapon against him now. Annoyed and somewhat childish, he pouted and shouted, "That's because you don't understand me well enough."It's said that playboys skilled in the game of love, once truly smit
Standing there again, Lily Parker felt as if she had stepped into another world. She stood frozen at the door, tears blurring her vision as memories flooded back. They lived on the fifth floor, and she disliked climbing stairs. Every time she went out with Ethan Hart, she'd insist on being carried up, refusing to get down at the door until she'd fished the keys from his pocket to unlock it, then let him carry her inside. After washing her hands, she'd direct him in preparing vegetables and meat while she cooked. When he left, she'd clean and mop. Their upstairs and downstairs neighbors thought they were a newlywed couple. A couple – how much had they wished to be just that? But they couldn't. Wiping her tears haphazardly, Lily turned, intending to flee this place that had shut out all her happiness. But after just a few steps, she heard a clatter from inside. Not knowing whether to be happy or not, she instinctively searched her bag for the keys, her hands trembling as she unlocked
Tears streaming down her face, she nodded vigorously, even stepping forward to lean into his embrace. He smiled, leaning down for a light kiss on the corner of her mouth, like completing a ritual. Satisfied, he smiled, "There, the princess is awakened with a kiss, and the prince has fulfilled his mission and can now retreat."At the Lorehaven International Airport, a 9 PM flight was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles.Ethan Hart had almost no luggage, standing alone and unencumbered.Lily Parker insisted on seeing him off, telling him that this time, it was her turn to watch his retreating figure, to see him turn and walk away.Throughout the journey, they didn't speak a word, until they stood at the boarding gate. Watching the crowd of people coming and going, some leaving, others bidding farewell, she truly realized that he was leaving her for good.The boarding announcement echoed through the airport.He said, "Take care of yourself."She replied, "Have a safe trip."He smiled, ge
Lily Parker returns to school, seemingly realigning her life's trajectory towards a simple, dutiful existence. However, her heart remains incomplete, perhaps only to be healed by time. As winter deepens, she finishes her semester exams and preliminarily decides on her thesis and performance pieces with Professor Caldwell. Despite her father, Henry Parker, still refusing to see her, she visits him daily in the hospital. Fortunately, there's hopeful news: the hospital has consulted a renowned specialist in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, offering a chance for recovery. Returning to her dormitory, Lily is greeted by the warmth of the heater, a relief from the biting cold. She finds her roommate, Aria Mitchell, packing her belongings. Surprised, Lily asks why Aria is moving out before New Year's as planned. Aria, with a crescent-moon smile, explains she's found a place near her company and her boyfriend suggested moving in earlier. Aria and her boyfriend have decided to sett
Normally, Julian would have reacted angrily, but this time, he raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face as he held her hand, "Huh, getting a temper after not seeing you for a few days?" Lily felt the focused gazes around them, like spotlights. Although there were only a few people, she felt uncomfortable. She didn't want to deal with Julian, so she pulled away and walked towards the door. But as soon as she stepped down, the pain made her hiss. Julian's expression turned serious, worriedly asking, "Did you twist your ankle?" Seeing her stubborn silence, he glared at her and pulled her to sit in the audience seats, then knelt down himself. Lily tried to pull her foot away, but there was no escape. He pressed down on her knee, removed her shoe and sock, and his warm hand touched her icy foot, his face growing grimmer. He gently probed her ankle, "Does it hurt here?" Lily didn't respond, but her shrinking body couldn't lie. He added, "You might have twisted a muscle or bone. I'll ta