Julian's POV
The morning air was crisp as I walked back to the mansion, the weight of Remi's words still heavy on my chest. The first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. Each step felt like a lifetime, the echoes of our conversation replaying in my mind.
"Part of me will always love you, Julian, but too much has happened. Too many secrets."
There had been no anger in her voice, only sadness. That hurt more than I could have imagined. It wasn't that she didn't care—it was that she couldn't, not in the way we both wanted.
She had forgiven me. I should have felt relief, but all I felt was hollow. Forgiveness wasn't enough to undo the damage I had done.
The mansion came into view, its towering structure bathed in the golden light o
