The Love We Left Behind

ltered through the lace curtains, casting golden patterns across the small but cozy apartment she shared with her mother. It was a quiet morn

urling on her lips as she reread the las

me, love. I'll pi

ing, Julian still had that effect on her. He was the kind of ma

ried to open it, expecting it to be the landlady or one of the ne

er voice wav

l crisp black suit, his dark eyes held an intensity that made her uneasy. He was a powerful

areful. "I need to talk to y

n her chest

ened? Did

r in her eyes. "But the hospital bills-" He hesitated. "It

w to come up with the money. Her mother had worked tirelessly to give her a decent life

said, though her voi

ing his head. "You're

I'll han

before he could

ow how to handle it. The hospital bills were already beyond what she could a

ded a m

Juli

e knew that. He came from wealth-his family was powerful in the business worl

n. Julian loved her, but if she told him about her mother's condition, would he

m. A future that didn't deserve to

ne buzz

e you, my love. I have s

d the back

m. Even if it meant b

t. The last perfect nig

ical music filling the air as Julian reached across

ured, his blue eyes studying he

king her head. "No, I'm

spreading across his face. "Are yo

t lo

n you're thinking too

e know her so well? How was she supposed to let him

nd, Rose thought she saw the glint of something silv

n apologetic look. "Giv

g as he stepped awa

clenched i

what she

tly, pretending nothing was wrong. But

the beginnin

ays seemed effortlessly tousled, the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his lips curled slightly even when h

at her like she was the

feel like the easie

t, she would hav

it out yet, but she knew. She saw the way his fingers kept brushing against it,

ng to prop

est ti

ldn't l

crumbling and his was o

umb stroking over her skin. "You know, yo

good. Just-" She hesitated. "

"And what conclusio

ghtened. "Tha

yes, a soft warmth that made

se," he murmured. "Is ther

l h

. That the bills are piling up. T

he had always done. She swa

." She squeezed his hand.

er for a moment longer

had the appetite to eat. She could feel the weight of what she was about

wanted to punish her further,

ge from

talk. You're runni

bled as she lo

unning ou

was running

act fast, she woul

nding Julian watch

you're okay?"

r smile. "I just need some

s, but instead of going inside, she slipped out the side

to gather herself before

to

g fingers,

told you I'd

ice sharp. "Your mother's condition is getting

omach

bills weeks ago, but she had refused.

e for free

your money,"

truggling? To let her die because

ind her eyes. "T

But I can make this easy for you, Ro

allowe

what he

li

made it clear that he wanted Rose, even if she

g her mother's life in

her lips. "You want me

le

h

es

art cl

e whispered, "you

last

t too thick

Julian through the window. He was still sitting at the table, c

ul, kind-he

wasn'

't dese

n't deserve

ision w

ut I need it to be believable.

s calm, satisfied.

bling beneath her as she braced he

cry. To run back inside a

he di

ars, straightened her dre

te was

ieved smile tugging at his lips. "There you are

art sh

ly he

k down, to pretend that she hadn't just

t again, his fingers wrapping

out, Rose leaned in, placing

home," she

ed. "Now

rrupted, her voice barely

pression shift, concern flickerin

d a gentle kiss against

he murmured. "

night was their last p

heart would bel

d no longer