The Bound Flame

op

bedroom, still feeling odd calling it my bedroom. Living under the same roof as Julian felt like living with a stranger. Everything was calculated, every

~

ng, scrolling through his tablet, a steaming cup of coffee beside him. His ta

d cautiously, taking a

iefly. "Morning. I t

ht had been restless, my thoughts

ve finalized the itinerary for the charity gala next week. Mrs. Blackwell will need to arrive with you promptly at 7

st?" I qu

ard for events like these. They'll ensure you're a

araded around like one of Julian's busine

le "I don't doubt that, but appearances matter in my

e silenced me. I nodded curtly and focused on the pla

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re what I was looking for- maybe a distraction. The walls were lined with shelves that

ther-bound volume when I heard a soft sound be

sked her expression a mix

, I was jus

ightly. "This is one of my favorite rooms in the penthouse. It's qu

or him for a whi

a small smile. "He can be difficult,

echoed, her b

ly. The people he keeps close to are the ones who've prov

been like that?

n through a lot, and it's shaped him into the man he is. But I think

her what she meant, but Isabel see

" she said, bolting qu

the shelves. My fingers brushed against the spine of a

~~

p of tea, I wasn't used to being waited on cons

n hand. The sight of him in a casual button-down and slack caught me off-guard, he looked

," I asked with

ut you," Julian said with

"thought some tea might help," I sai

moment, then said, "This arrang

hought it

mate what it takes to survive in my world," h

hing I'm not

respect, maybe, or amusement. It

of his wish key. "But if you ever feel ov

let him see the reactions he had

the honey into the hot water. When I finally looked up, Julian was go

~~

it was a call from Ethan, his voice was tight with concern, th

d without waiting for me to sho

id, frowning. "W

"There's a picture of you and Ju

mean, what ki

s standing close to you. The caption says somet

standing close to you. The caption says something about 'The Billiona

me know," I said wit

y phone buzzed

me to my o

ever Julian had to say I