Share
169 — We don’t control life.
Julian’s words make my heart skip a beat. But even in the face of my surprise, he continues to look at me with no sign of regret, no laughter, no hesitation... He really means it.
Yet I can’t smile.
Long seconds pass in my silence, and his expression gradually becomes worried. He watches my face intently, paying special attention to my brown eyes that say everything my lips cannot.
I don’t say a word for a while, and neither does Julian. The silence isn’t as comfortable as I’d like, but I can’t cut it. I swallow hard, my lips trembling, overwhelmed by too many intense sensations that ache my eyes.
I’ve always heard that emotions are on edge when you’re pregnant, but I never thought it was so true.
Julian sits down next to me on the couch, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I lean my head against the curve of his neck, snuggling into the warmth of his body, wrapping myself in his strong arms.
Related chapters
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 170 — “Thank you, my little angel.”
“Used to be?” I look at Julian softly, afraid to touch on such a delicate subject, squeezing his hand reassuringly.Julian sighs, looking to the other corner of the room.“Jack’s death broke us. My mother especially. The thing about depression is that it always seems to sneak up like a shadow. It’s there, even when you think you’re over it, even when you’re fine and can’t feel it... It only takes one slip for it to come up again.” Julian says with painful familiarity, almost like he had suffered it himself. For some reason, I feel that he’s talking about himself more than about someone else.But he brushes it off with a smile, inflating his lungs to the max.“She’s feeling better now... Mother may no longer be the smiling, full-of-life woman she was before, but she’s still here.”I stay silent for a few moments, absorbing his words, understanding them better than an
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 171 — Presentation time…
I fix the skirt of my suit for the third time, brush away the dust that doesn’t even exist on my blazer, and walk in circles around the room that has been mine for the last few weeks, where our entire project was born and developed until we reached this point.The idea that existed only in my head has now become a collective dream. All the sweat and effort of my team is on these pages, on this USB drive.I look at the clock, noticing that the time for the project presentation is approaching. I’ve heard that the manager’s project is realistic and not very creative, but it is an effective method for restoring a company’s reputation. Sarah’s project is more innovative, with a different approach to the conventional. Of course, these are just comments; the details of each project have been kept secret. Even the presentation will be done individually.My eyes are drawn to the clock again.12:29 a.m.I only have one long minu
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 172 — Project Enkrateia
All the board’s attention is on me. I can see a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and fascination in the board’s eyes as they follow the slides, in the expressions that take different forms as I present my project, which, honestly, I don’t know how to define.Innovative?Utopic?Crazy?“Who is affected by this leak? What’s the data?” I pause dramatically, adding to the tension. “These people have faces, names, and this data is like a key to their lives, their intimacy, their security. And they don’t even know how much it impacts their lives. We must change that... By making everything public and allowing them to search personally.”“Make it public?” Director Bald scoffs. “Are you trying to finish Dynamic’s reputation? We’re only considering saving it because this data hasn’t been made public. If they know the extent...”“That’s precisely
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 173 — “You ruined his life.”
It takes me a while to understand what Mrs. Smith is saying. Eric’s arrested... is that true? I knew that some of the people investigated in the scandal were being charged, but I didn’t expect Eric to be so involved in it. It shocks me to the point where the words completely disappear from the tip of my tongue.Suddenly, memories that were buried in the back of my mind come back like a hurricane, making my eyes widen. […] “Angelee, darling, I’ve baked some cookies... let’s have tea together!” Mrs. Smith said, smiling. “I bought you a present, what do you think?” Smiles and more smiles. “Let’s go on a family trip! You’ve been out of America before, haven’t you? Let’s choose somewhere you haven’t been yet, all of us together.” She always smiled, her voice as soft as the sweetest of illusions. “Angelee, I adore you as if you were my own daughter-”These memories
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 174 — The Adams family
I know Julian said I didn’t need to worry, but the moment he drove beyond the iron gates of the villa, my heart rose to my throat. My trembling hands clutch the fabric of my dress while my eyes linger on the landscape around us. The estate is so big that we need to drive for at least ten minutes along the long stone road. The surrounding forests bring me a strange sense of peace like we are outside the world. It’s hard to believe that Julian’s family has a forest on their property, and I wonder what it must be like to explore it.The lowered window lets a refreshing breeze into the car, and I inflate my lungs, hoping that this will somehow boost my courage.When I finally see the magnificent classical mansion, my heart skips a beat. It’s simply majestic. In fact, it even looks like a castle. The large white pillars add a sophisticated, antique aesthetic that matches the family’s influence. But it’s no wonder the villa is so i
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 175 — “I’m sorry I left.”
In the outdoor fire pit, I feel a little more at ease. Jordan is certainly as talkative as his older brother; his carefree personality makes me comfortable, perhaps because we’re almost the same age. Unlike Julian, who has a more restrained sense of humor, the youngest of the brothers loves to make jokes, and his timing is good enough to get a few laughs. At first, Julian seemed nervous and suspicious, but he soon lowered his defenses and opened up a little more, allowing himself to smile even at the jokes he thinks are ridiculous.The other brother, Joshua, looked even more doubtful when he laid eyes on me. I could see the curiosity and suspicion in his dark green eyes with some shades of brown. He also looks a lot like Julian, and his hair is medium-length, falling over his forehead in small, discreet waves. Well, I can certainly understand why he could be called a playboy — with his looks, I’m not surprised that women fall at his feet. He looks like a
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 176 — “Break out into the storm.”
My chest feels cold. I open my lips to answer Julian’s mother, but no sound escapes through them. Noticing my sudden anxiety, Julian subtly positions himself between the two of us, protecting me with his body.Mrs. Adams frowns, placing her hands on her hips. “Don’t stand in front of her like that; it looks like I’m being mean to the girl.”“Mother-”“Why don’t you go with your brothers? It’s been years since you last gathered like this. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.”Julian gives a nervous smile.“But-”“No buts.” Mrs. Adams sighs, letting her arms hang at her sides. “Go join your brothers, Julian.”He looks at me fearfully, almost like a scared puppy. I give him a reassuring smile, telling him without words that I’m fine, but he doesn’t look relieved… yet he walks through the second hall, disappearing aroun
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 177 — JULIAN ADAMS (POV)
My nerves are on edge. I’m so stressed that I shift my leg constantly, oblivious to my brothers’ fun conversations going on around me. I can’t concentrate on what they say when Angelee is alone with my mother. I know Mom is not someone who would hurt her, still-Suddenly, a child’s childish cries reach my ears. I know this shouldn’t be possible since so many years have passed, but I can actually hear it, almost like I’m back in the past. And with each step toward Jessica’s cries, in this mansion that was empty that day, everything around me grows darker. The lights are going out in my walk… But my little sister’s desperate screams only get louder.In front of that white door, my breathing becomes heavy. I know I should just burst open it, but I’m frozen in place, aware of every drop of sweat that slides down my spine under my shirt. Deep down, I know what’s happening on the other side; it’s Jack&rsquo
Latest chapter
Fallen for Daddy's Friend HAPPY EVER AFTER.
Fallen for Daddy's Friend MICHAEL — Always by your side.
Fallen for Daddy's Friend CATHY — I’m falling...
Fallen for Daddy's Friend HONEYMOON — PART III
Fallen for Daddy's Friend HONEYMOON — PART II
Fallen for Daddy's Friend HONEYMOON — PART I
Fallen for Daddy's Friend AFTER STORY — PART II
Fallen for Daddy's Friend AFTER STORY — PART I
Fallen for Daddy's Friend 184 — The end.
