His Love Was Never Mine

Chapter 2

After the family doctor left, the house fell into a heavy silence.

Arthur had taken his medicine and was already asleep.

Matilda finally spoke up. "Stacy, it's late. You should stay the night. I've already got a room ready for you."

Stacy's eyes brimmed with tears as she whispered, "Mom."

The two women leaned on each other as they headed up the stairs.

With my burns treated and exhaustion weighing me down, I started toward the stairs to rest, but Julian pulled me back.

His face was etched with concern. "Yara, does it hurt much?"

He sighed, his voice softening. "Silly girl, why did you shield me? I'm a man. I can handle it. Don't be so reckless next time."

His words opened the floodgates to my pent-up emotions. Tears streamed down my face as I whimpered, "It hurts…"

Julian's heart ached. He tenderly kissed away my tears before sweeping me into his arms to carry me to our room.

But on the stairs, we ran into Stacy.

She seemed to be coming down for water. Seeing Julian holding me, she froze, completely stunned.

It was only when her cup crashed to the floor that she snapped out of her daze.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll clean this up."

She spoke frantically, dropping to her knees to gather the broken shards.

Instead of carrying me past her, Julian lowered me to the ground. He motioned for me to go ahead.

"I'll take care of this," he said, helping Stacy up and carefully retrieving the fragments from her hands.

The hurt I'd just suppressed welled up again for no reason.

Wiping my eyes, I turned and continued upstairs alone.

The next morning, I awoke to find Julian's side of the bed empty.

Downstairs, I found him in the kitchen preparing breakfast, with Stacy standing right by his side.

Noticing me, Stacy offered a beaming smile. "Yara! Come, have breakfast!"

I scanned the room. There was no sign of Arthur or Matilda.

"Mom and Dad are at an event," Stacy explained. "They won't be back until this evening."

I murmured a quiet "Oh" and took my seat.

Breakfast was served shortly after. Alongside our usual fare were several new dishes.

Stacy beamed with delight. "Julian, you still remember my favorite foods?"

Julian stroked her hair affectionately and teased, "How could I forget what my little princess likes?"

Her cheeks flushed pink. "That was back when we were kids, and you're still teasing me about it!"

She picked up a garlic shrimp, took a bite, and then held it up to his mouth. "Here, you have some too, Julian."

Instead of taking it, Julian's eyes instinctively flickered my way.

I kept my head down, pretending not to notice.

Stacy pouted, looking hurt. "Julian, do you hate me now?"

Julian sighed and bopped her lightly on the forehead. "You... really." He finally relented and opened his mouth.

She fed him the garlic shrimp, then flashed me a smug glance.

"I'm full."

I muttered, quickly pushing back from the table and hurrying out of the dining room.

"Yara, are you sure you're done?"

Julian's voice drifted after me, but he didn't get up to follow.

I left without a single backward glance.