Olivia crossed her arms, pouting like a scolded child. His words stung, but deep down, she knew he was right.
The evening went on like that, strict timing, firm scolding, no mercy. Every time she tried to complain, Julian shut her down with a sharp look or a curt word. And though it frustrated her, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: discipline.
At one point, when she sneaked her phone out of her bag to check a notification, Julian’s voice thundered across the table.
“What did I say about phones?”
Olivia jumped, nearly dropping it. “I was just...”
“Put it away,” he snapped. “Now. If you can’t respect simple rules, you can leave.”
Her cheeks burned. She shoved it back in her bag, mumbling, “You don’t have to be so strict.”
“Yes, I do,” he said simply. “Because no one e
