Olivia had never been the type to take studying seriously, not until now. After her last humiliating experience with the test questions Julian threw at her, she realized something had to change. If she wanted to get better, she couldn’t keep treating this like a casual hangout. She needed structure, she needed him.
Julian, on the other hand, already knew the way forward. He had been patient with her clumsy beginnings, but he was not going to waste his time if she wasn’t ready to put in the work. At thirty-five, he wasn’t some carefree young man running around with excuses. He had built his life on order, self-control, and discipline, and he expected the same from anyone who came under his watch, even Olivia.
The next day, when Olivia showed up for their usual session in the small study r
