Chapter 11

With a rage-filled face, Zayn chased after Julie. Reaching her, he grabbed her arm. “Did I say you could leave, Julie?”

Julie scowled, shaking his hand off. “Let go.”

Zayn mocked coldly, “Why? Are you scared your new boyfriend will see us? Do you even know who he is, Julie? Even if you try to seduce him, do you think the Chandler family's second son will let you fool him like you did me?”

She shot him a poker face. “And is that any of your business?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? I’m your ex-boyfriend, after all.”

Julie never expected such shamelessness. She wanted to laugh. “Ex-boyfriend? Since when?”

Zayn’s face froze, recalling his words in the VIP room. A flicker of guilt passed, quickly gone. “Julie, Blaine’s not someone you can play with. Stop acting.”

Julie stared silently. How odd. She used to think they resembled each other, but now, especially with Lucian’s return, the difference was stark. “Zayn, we’re strangers. You said you were sick of me.”

His expression froze. Panic flashed in his eyes, quickly masked. “Don’t you know what kind of person I am? You’re making a big deal out of this?”

Julie was about to speak when Anna approached. “Zayn.”

Zayn’s face stiffened; panic flickered in his eyes. An idea struck him. He pulled Anna close. “Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Anna Fuller.” His eyes locked on Julie’s, searching for a reaction. There was none.

“I find you repulsive now, Zayn.”

Her words stole his breath, panic rising. He opened his mouth, but Julie turned and left.

Zayn released Anna’s hand. “Feel free to leave. I won’t see you out.”

Anna was stunned. “What about tomorrow’s movie?”

“We’ll see. Something came up. I have to leave.” He didn’t look back, heading straight for his car.

In the car, Julie’s words replayed. “Repulsive?” How dare she? Did she no longer care? A pain stabbed his chest. He whacked the steering wheel, triggering the car alarm.

His phone rang. Megan. He answered. “Hello?”

Megan’s choked sobs filled the speaker. “Zay-Zay, I was wrong. Please don’t break up with me.”

Zayn sighed, his tone distant. “Megan, you did me wrong this time.”

“I know. I won’t do it again. I love you, Zay-Zay. I don’t want to break up.” Her voice was soft and sweet, tugging at his heart. He’d never heard such tenderness from Julie; she was always poised. The thought agitated him.

“Will you be obedient?”

“Yes. Extremely obedient.” Her voice was still sad and whiny.

“Okay. Stop crying. We won’t break up.”

“I didn’t want to cry, but I’ll be so sad without you.”

“I’ll be busy for two days. Once I’m done, I’ll come see you. Be good,” Zayn coaxed patiently. What was wrong with a little tantrum?

Megan smiled through her tears. “Okay, I’ll be good. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“Yeah. I have a meeting. I’ll hang up. Be good.” He hung up before she could reply and drove to the company.

From the second-floor window, Lucian watched like a hawk, then spoke to Blaine. “Do you know what’s going on between Zayn Peyton and Julie?”

Blaine hesitated. “Luce, promise you won’t be angry.”

Lucian sipped his wine. “Spill it.”

“I’ve recently discovered something’s off. I think Jules might be dating Zayn—”

A loud crash interrupted. Lucian had slammed his wine glass on the table, cutting his hand. Blaine cried, “Fuck! What the hell were you thinking?”

Lucian calmly wiped his hand. “Continue.”

Blaine gulped. “You’ve gone insane. I’m leaving.” Did Lucian really want him to continue? What a joke! He knew Lucian’s temper. Staying away was safer. Reaching the door, he remembered something. “Oh, I have something this weekend, so I can’t visit your grandma. Bye.”

Blaine left. Lucian called someone. “I need a background check on…” His gaze pierced the window, fixing on Julie at the bus stop. He watched until she boarded.

Over the weekend, Julie visited her father in the hospital. Reaching the door, she saw a gurney being wheeled out. She stopped them. “What are you doing? Where are you taking my father?”

The middle-aged man paused. “Ms. Somers, we’re transferring Mr. Somers to Emerald Sanatorium.” Clarence Morrison, her mother’s assistant.

Julie was incredulous. “My dad’s fine. Why the sanatorium?” Its facilities were inferior; she’d heard of its grim environment. Patients went there to die.

“This was Mrs. Somers’ arrangement. Contact her for inquiries.”

Julie froze. Mandy, her mother, was cold-hearted. George and Mandy had been married twenty years. He’d lived a respectable life. Now, silently on a gurney, his fate in others’ hands. Pity filled her. This was her father. Even with no hope, she wouldn’t abandon him.

She left, taking a cab to Somers Residence. She rang the doorbell; no answer. The password was incorrect. She hadn’t been home since their fight six years ago.

Jenny Abbot, a maid, emerged with groceries. “Are you Ms. Somers?”

Julie nodded. “Yes. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten the passcode.”

Jenny opened the door. Julie scanned the empty house. “Mrs. Somers must have gone out with Mr. Somers Junior,” Jenny said awkwardly.

Julie nodded. “I see. Thank you.” Jenny looked at her with pity. Julie didn’t mind. She sat on the couch. “I’ll wait.”

Jenny brought in the groceries, peeking at Julie, sighing softly. Finally, she asked, “Ms. Somers, will you live here now?”

Julie was about to answer when she heard the lock.