His Love Was Never Mine

Chapter 3

As I climbed the stairs, my eyes flicked involuntarily toward the dining table.

Stacy appeared to have finished eating. Her cutlery was laid aside, and her gaze was fixed intently on Julian.

He ladled another bowl of soup for her, peeled an egg, and pressed the bowl back into her hands.

She frowned in refusal.

But Julian tapped her nose with a stern expression, his dominance softened by the indulgence in his eyes.

Reluctantly, Stacy resumed eating.

The scene was familiar, yet fundamentally different.

I had always had a small appetite, preferring snacks to proper meals.

Whenever Julian was present, he would patiently coax me to eat, but if I refused, he never forced me.

With me, he had always hidden his dominant side, staying gentle, considerate, and measured, never overstepping.

I wondered, was this what separated love from indifference?

At the office, after much hesitation, I messaged Julian from my work account.

Julian, you said the person you love has returned. What are your plans now?

The message lingered unanswered until, finally, he replied.

I'm married. My wife is good to me. I can't just hurt her.

Besides, my family is totally against us.

Then you—

I exhaled sharply, thinking he had given up. Before I could finish typing, more replies came in quick succession.

But I can't move on.

I refuse to just accept this. We aren't even blood-related, so why should social taboos decide our happiness?

I thought I was over her, but seeing her again... I'm right back where I started. I'll never be able to let her go.

My smile stiffened. I wiped my nose as tears blurred the screen, my heart aching as if pierced by a thousand tiny cuts.

I wanted to scream at him:

'What about me?'

'Where does that leave your wife?'

'You're the one who sought me out first.'

On the other end, he continued to ramble about his love and concern for Stacy. I turned off the screen without replying.

That evening, I stayed at the hospital until very late before heading home, unwilling to face Stacy and uncertain how to confront either of them.

Luckily, it seemed my prayers were answered. Upon returning, I learned that Stacy had already moved out due to Arthur's strong opposition.

I sighed in relief instinctively, about to head upstairs to rest.

But Matilda stopped me.

"Yara, Stacy left in such a hurry that she forgot a bunch of stuff. She might need it tonight. Could you help me drop it off to her?"

Since Julian wasn't home and the family driver had left, I had to agree.

Concerned that Stacy might be out, Matilda gave me the spare key to her new place. Clearly, the place was owned by the family.

Loaded down with bags, I got to Stacy's new place and knocked, but no one answered. Assuming she wasn't home yet, I let myself in.

But inside, the lights were on. I could hear voices whispering from the balcony, and Julian's shoes were sitting right there by the door.