A soft voice came from the phone, "Willow, let's meet."Alicia?Since the other party had made her move, Willow wouldn't back down either. "Sure. Half an hour. Sinistra Cafe."…Weekend traffic was bad. Willow arrived at the cafe a few minutes late.Alicia was already there. She sat by the window, wearing a white dress, her black hair draped over her shoulders—delicate and beautiful.Willow walked into the cafe, spotted Alicia easily, and sat across from her.After six years of rivalry, today was a face-to-face showdown.Alicia had an innocent look, but the inner corners of her eyes were sharp. She calmly sized Willow up, her gaze finally landing on Willow's handbag. It was a Hermes Birkin that cost 1.2 million dollars.Willow followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "It's a gift from my mother."Alicia forced a smile. "At my age, I don't suit those things."Just then, the server brought over two cups of coffee. Alicia smiled sweetly. "These are made with Geisha beans. It's qui
Alicia returned to the hospital. As soon as she pushed open the door to her room, Charlie looked overjoyed."Alicia, we found a suitable kidney match. It's your biological sister. She signed a voluntary donor form a few years ago and gave a sample. We didn't expect it to be a match!"Ah, our family's finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll talk to your sister and ask her to donate a kidney to you. Alicia, you're going to be healthy again."…Alicia forced a smile. "She might not agree."Nancy quickly scolded her daughter, "What kind of sister wouldn't save her own sibling? Catherine gave so much to you without hesitation. If Catherine could do it, then she should, too."Alicia leaned back against the bed, looking delicate and weak. "I'm just worried Julian will have a hard time with it."Charlie thought for a moment and spoke in a calm tone, "Julian's always been deeply devoted to you. He'll be on your side. As for Willow, we'll make it up to her in other ways. J
Julian's every move was poised and effortless, full of the bearing of someone born to lead.Timothy couldn't help but sigh. This marriage between their children was truly a pity. On the way over, he and Heather had asked Willow. Willow had no intention of getting back together. She said there was no point in salvaging it.If that were the case, then this would just be a proper farewell dinner with everyone parting ways with dignity.During the meal, Timothy casually chatted, but the underlying message was clear.How could someone like Julian not catch on? But he didn't let it show. He kept gently serving Willow food. "This salmon is your favorite. Dad ordered it, especially for you. Eat up. You look like you've lost weight."Willow frowned. "I can take it myself."Julian remained considerate. "Tell me what you want, I'll get it for you."His shamelessness made Liam and Nancy break into a cold sweat. Timothy was even a little impressed. Julian really knew how to play humble when
Melanie held her face in disbelief. "Did you just hit me?"Heather sneered coldly. "Why wouldn't I? You throw around the word 'real sister' like it means something. Who said she's her sister?"Since you like that cursed woman so much, have your son marry her. You can donate your kidney to her. Why should my daughter be used as a favor?"I'm saying this now. If anything happens to Willow, none of you is walking away."Timothy gently pulled her into his arms. "I've got you."Melanie still wouldn't let it go. She turned to Julian. "Look at this. Is this the woman you want to win back? She's humiliating me."Nancy took the opportunity to chime in, "What kind of sister doesn't save her own family? Julian, if you care about Alicia, you should—"Julian's expression was unnaturally calm. "Willow is part of the Chapman family. She has nothing to do with the Burke family. You're all crossing the line."Charlie and Nancy froze. Wasn't Julian supposed to care most about Alicia?Heather st
After a moment, Julian spoke in a quiet voice. "Alicia, get some rest."He hung up.That night, he drove back to Radiance Manor.As he stepped into the entryway, a housekeeper habitually asked if he wanted a late-night meal. Julian shook his hand lightly, then slowly walked up to the second floor and pushed open the master bedroom door.He had never felt this drained. He didn't turn on the light or even take off his clothes. He just lay down on the large bed and covered his eyes with his hand.He lay there in complete silence.It rained in the middle of the night.The rain pattered softly, like drops hitting straight at the heart.Julian felt dejected. His thoughts blurred as he remembered all those lavish, carefree years.The truth was, they had all been spent with Willow. Now that she was gone, all that remained in his world was ash.He didn't want to give up, but Heather's words kept echoing in his mind."Julian, Alicia is your past, not Willow's. Stop dragging Willow int
It was the same restaurant. They finished the meal that they hadn't finished the last time.Julian had clearly gone out of his way to organize this. The dishes were even more refined than before, the wine was his best vintage, and even the restaurant looked different. In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows stood an expensive grand piano.Everything spoke of a farewell.The silver candlesticks flickered. In the soft light, they looked at each other calmly. It had been seven years since they'd first met.Julian poured Willow half a glass of red wine and said softly, "Have a little wine. I bought it specially for this. Tonight's caviar is excellent, too. I tried it before they served it."Willow asked quietly, "Why?"He gave a faint smile. "You mean, why go through all this trouble? Because if Jeffrey has it, I have to have it too."She lowered her head and gave a light smile.It had been a long, long time since they had gotten along like this. Maybe because they knew this was t
The neon lights above dimmed gradually, and everything around seemed to quiet down.The silk tie grew damp, little by little.She and Julian were finally over.In the distance, Julian stood under the soft glow of the streetlights, just like he used to—elegant and poised. He silently watched Willow, watching her standing there alone."Willow, I lied to you again. I said, if Jeffrey has it, I need to have it, too. But how could I be like anyone else? Even if it's goodbye, it has to be different."Deep down, I want you to always remember me—to remember the way the wind smelled like me tonight, to remember that I gave you more than just pain and tears."Willow, no matter how hard it is, it's time for us to truly go our separate ways. Willow, I'm giving your life back to you now."Julian turned and walked away.He lit a cigarette, brought it to his lips with trembling fingers, and took a drag. He told himself that this was it. They would part on good terms. He would set her free.T
At 5:00 am, Julian was called back to the city by a phone call.Alicia's condition had worsened. Complications flared up, and after two hours of emergency treatment, she was finally out of danger.Julian hadn't slept all night. He eventually passed out on the couch from exhaustion.He had a dream.He dreamed he was back at Lake Tolpond, dreaming of that evening sky painted in vivid sunset colors. He and Willow sat side by side on the concrete railing of the dam. Willow had a painting kit strapped to her back, and on the canvas was a young Julian.…"Julian, we will never betray each other or abandon each other for the rest of our lives, right?""Of course! You're the most important person in my heart.""Then, let's get married, Julian."…"Willow… Willow," Julian murmured softly, gently running his hand over Willow's back.She came back. She hadn't left.Willow had said they would never betray or abandon each other. She still remembered the vows they made…Alicia froze, s
The snow in Brindley had finally melted.That morning, a convoy of a dozen black cars escorted Willow and Grace back to the Chapman residence. Years ago, this was how Julian had married Willow.And today, this was how he was sending Willow home, just like how Grace had insisted.No matter how it ended, he and Willow married each other legally.The polished black cars entered the Chapman residence one after another and slowly came to a stop.Inside the dimly lit car, Julian turned his head to look at Willow. He didn't say a word, but simply reached out to gently place his hand on her stomach, feeling the child inside of her.After a while, he grabbed her hand and held it gently.No matter how reluctant he was to let go, he had to. He had promised Grace to set Willow free.Grace had brought Willow home.Timothy and Heather had been waiting outside for a while. When Willow stepped out of the car, Heather, with tears brimming in her eyes, pulled Willow into a tight embrace.She r
"Julian, you're not even 30 yet. You still have plenty of chances to have children of your own. I'm begging you, for the child's sake, please let her go."Willow isn't that weak. She can still write and see. She'll raise the child to be well-mannered and capable. Just let her come home. I promise you'll still get to see the child."Grace said a lot, and Julian just listened quietly until the very end.He neither agreed nor disagreed.He took the tiny pair of shoes from Grace's hands. They were for Landon. The shoes were sky blue and adorable. The soles felt comfortable to touch.Grace showed a kind smile and said, "I know you care about Willow. If it's meant to be, life will find a way to bring you back together. Otherwise, when you have another child someday, I'll sew them a pair of shoes too."Julian choked up. "Grandma."Grace reached out and patted his arm gently. "I know you're a good boy. Just send her back the way you brought her into the Ziegler residence back then. Her
The night was quiet and serene.Julian stood alone in his study, staring out at the endless snow outside. His mind kept replaying the scene of Willow's distorted speech, as well as her tear-streaked face that was filled with despair.Willow herself must've found it unbearable!Julian looked at the night sky, his gaze unreadable.He realized that he seemed to never have truly made Willow happy. All he ever did was hurt her, disappoint her, and make her cry.This wasn't how loving someone was supposed to be.The next morning, Julian didn't appear in her room.Willow washed up on her own. Even if she barely had an appetite, she still walked out to find something to eat for the sake of the baby she carried.As she opened the bedroom door, she froze.Grace was standing outside the door, holding a basket in one hand and Snowy in the other. She stared at Willow with her gentle, loving eyes.Willow stood there in a daze before her lips trembled.In a broken, trembling voice, she cal
The pregnancy hadn't made Willow's body bigger. She was still slender with her dark hair cascading down her shoulders. The hot water streamed down along her shoulder blades, trailing down to the small dip of her waist.There, a small reddish mole stood out."Let me help you."Julian grabbed her by the shoulders, wanting to help her bathe.Willow was startled, so she instinctively slapped him across the face.After striking him, she pressed herself against the warm ceramic tiles, her lips trembling as she stared at him. Since she couldn't hear him, she didn't know what Julian's intentions were.She was afraid that he was trying to initiate sex with her. After all, it had been quite some time since he had last done it.Julian's handsome face was turned to the side. It was quite embarrassing.After a while, he let out a self-deprecating smile and began writing on the palm of her hand.Only then did she understand that he was offering to help her bathe. She refused, but how coul
Willow was forced to stay here, subjected to Julian's arrangements. Every day, she simply sat there in a daze.After a while, she couldn't help but think that it wasn't just her who was sick. Julian was sick too.In fact, they were both sick.At the villa, everything seemed peaceful, as if it weren't affected by the outside world.But outside, things were an absolute mess.About half a month later, Liam somehow caught wind of what was going on and showed up at the villa.In the study on the second floor, the faint scent of tea lingered in the air. It was Earl Grey, Liam's favorite.But right now, Liam wasn't in the mood for tea. He pointed angrily at Julian and roared, "Send her back immediately!"You can't just take someone's daughter away like this after just leaving just a message. How am I supposed to explain to Timothy and Heather? That's their biological daughter!"The crystal chandelier sparkled, casting its light on Julian's expressionless face. "Dad, Willow is my wife.
Late at night, in the Chapman residence, the moonlight shone through the white curtains, spilling onto the ivory white bed, wrapping the woman's body in a robe made of moonlight.Willow was sound asleep.Suddenly, a tall figure stepped into the room, bathed in the moonlight. He approached the bed gently and crouched down next to it.Since Willow couldn't hear a thing, she was unaware.Julian knelt before her, listening to her shallow breathing while staring at her pale face. After suppressing the urge for so long, he finally raised his hand and stroked her fragile features.If he could turn back time, that night, he would never have returned to Brindley. He would've stayed by Willow's side, not letting her be gripped by fear in the middle of the night.Every time Julian closed his eyes, he would recall the way Willow spoke. When he remembered how her voice was distorted, it tore him apart inside."I'm sorry! Willow, I'm so sorry!"Julian's voice trembled, his eyes glistening wi
Julian turned to Alicia and asked softly, "Isn't this enough? Alicia, what else do you want?"Originally, he could have been happy.Willow and the child would have stayed by his side, surrounded by happiness. Even if he was burdened with countless sins, he could've had the chance to grasp happiness.But now, that was gone. After Alicia's repeated acts of self-harm and unreasonable demands, his patience had finally run dry. In the end, he and Willow had finally reached this point of no return.Julian's voice was low and hoarse. "Alicia, we're done."He turned around and walked away, ignoring Alicia's cries behind him. She fell to the ground in tears. "Julian… Julian…"But he never looked back.The team of specialists remained helpless when it came to Willow's condition.They were simply too late.This type of neurological disorder, triggered by the weather and atmospheric pressure, was extremely rare. There was no effective treatment at present.Moreover, Willow was pregnant,
Julian's face was ghastly pale.Annie stepped forward with a grim expression, her voice colder than ever."Let me tell you what happened! After you rushed back to Brindley to comfort Alicia, Ms. Harper lost her hearing due to barotrauma. The snowstorm that night in Padstow was so severe that everywhere was covered in thick snow."We couldn't get a ride anywhere. Back then, I naively believed that you were in the hotel. I thought if I asked you for help, you'd certainly figure something out."After all, you've always been so capable, haven't you? However, you were back at Brindley."I had no choice but to call Mr. Chapman. Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Chapman immediately rushed to Padstow in the middle of the night."Mr. Chapman, a man in his 50s, carried Ms. Harper in his arms for half an hour through the snow, which was about 20 inches deep, to get to the helicopter."When they arrived at the hospital, his clothes were soaked through. Mrs. Chapman's legs were completely numb, and she c
Willow couldn't hear anything anymore.Her world had fallen completely silent.But Julian didn't know that.The snow in Padstow had finally stopped.Heather gently cupped Willow's face, her voice choked with sobs. "I'll take you back to Brindley for treatment! They have the best doctors there. We'll definitely find a way to cure this."Willow tried to comfort her. "Mom, I'm fine."The words were simple, but because she couldn't hear, her voice came out slightly distorted.Heather almost broke down right then and there, but she held it together. As a mother, she had to be strong for moments like this.That very day, Timothy and Heather brought Willow back to Brindley.Timothy had already made arrangements with top-notch specialists to consult on Willow's condition.They couldn't afford to waste any time. As long as there was the slightest chance, they wouldn't give up.At 2:00 pm, the Chapman family's black car entered the hospital.Ahead of them, a small crowd had gathered,