Chapter 40

Lucian subtly observed Julie's expression but didn’t say anything. He picked up a piece of cauliflower and placed it on Julie’s plate.

Julie hesitated, eyeing the cauliflower.

“Eat. Who are you eating?” he asked, his tone light.

Julie hesitated momentarily before picking up her fork and putting the cauliflower into her mouth. She didn’t chew and just bit into it.

Lucian noted this and said softly, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.”

He reached for a napkin beside him and handed it to her. “Spit it out.”

Only then did Julie realize what he meant. She hesitated, then quietly said, “It’s fine. It’s just…”

“You didn’t like this before. Have you forgotten?”

Julie paused.

He was talking about a time years ago. She had long forgotten most of it.

She chewed a couple of times and swallowed.

After her father’s accident and the drastic change in Mandy’s attitude, Julie had learned to please everyone around her, to cater to their every liking. She had forgotten what she was like back then.

Not wanting to continue the topic, she shrugged lightly. “People change, you know.”

Lucian’s response was pointed. “Yeah, people do change.”

She lowered her gaze, absentmindedly scraping the empty plate before her.

Suddenly, he said again, “Julie, do you remember the time we ate here and ended up in the police station?”

Julie nodded. How could she forget?

These years, she had always been cautious around Zayn, trying to…

It happened a long time ago… Lucian and Blaine had come here for a late-night snack, and she had joined them. Both of them had drunk too much and kept running to the bathroom. Later into the night, a heavily made-up woman asked for Lucian’s contact information. Julie refused, even boldly declaring that Lucian was her future boyfriend and that no one else could be interested in him. The woman then called over some thugs to intimidate her.

When Lucian returned, he saw her surrounded by two men and being threatened. Without a word, he grabbed a chair and smashed it onto them. Blaine joined in, and the whole scene turned into a brawl.

In the end, when Julie saw Lucian take a hit, she was so angry that she grabbed a chair and joined the fight. Afterward, all three of them ended up at the police station, and Patricia had to come to bail them out!

Lucian’s voice pulled her back to the present. “You were really fierce back then.”

Julie smiled explosively at the memory.

The two of them continued to talk about the past, interacting like old friends. At that moment, the waiter brought a new dish and placed it before Julie. Julie looked puzzled.

“Surprise!” “I know you’re a bit picky, so I ordered something you’d like.”

Julie stared at the dish, and suddenly, she felt her nose sting.

Lucian noticed and quickly teased her, “Hey, Julie, you’re getting worse as you get older. How old are you, and you’re still crying over small things like this?” Julie sniffed, holding back the tears. “Aren’t you always calling me a kid? Can’t a kid cry?”

He smiled lazily. “Go ahead and cry. Your big brother’s here.”

In the end, Julie managed to hold back the tears and ate her food quietly. The portion was large, and after eating half, she found herself unable to finish it. Lucian glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “You’re only eating this much?”

Not even half full, and you can’t finish? Lucian leaned forward, taking the rest of her food and placing it before himself.

Julie felt a little embarrassed. “Lucian, just order another one.”

She had already eaten from the plate, and the leftovers didn’t look very appealing. However, the main issue was that, with their relationship, it felt strange for Lucian to eat her leftovers. Lucian took a bite of it and grinned. “Back when we were in school, didn’t you always fight to eat my leftovers?”

Chapter End

Julie opened her mouth, but it was choked with anger.

“I’ll go pay the bill,” she muttered, standing up and heading towards the cashier.

The shop owner, clearly remembering her, greeted her warmly, “Your boyfriend is really handsome.”

Julie hesitated for a moment, then glanced over at Lucian. He was on the phone. Sensing her gaze, Lucian lifted the corner of his mouth into a slight smile.

He said into the phone, “I’m not going. I’m busy. I don’t want to.”

He hung up, his attention turning to Julie.

She lowered her head. She rummaged through her bag but couldn’t find what she was looking for. Feeling awkward, she turned and walked back.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

Julie, a little embarrassed, explained, “I think I left my wallet in the car, and my phone’s dead, so I can’t pay.”

Fearing he might not believe her, she quickly pulled out her phone to show him.

Lucian smiled faintly. “My phone has battery. Sit down. I’ll take you back after I finish eating.”

Julie obediently sat down, waiting for him to finish his meal.

Just then, Lucian’s phone rang again. He glanced at it, irritation flashing across his face before he immediately ended the call.

She saw it and guessed that the caller might be forced to wait due to her presence.

Turning her attention to the window, she remarked, “It’s snowing. I want to take a look.”

With that, she stood up to leave.

As she passed by Lucian, he grabbed her wrist. “It’s cold outside. Sit down.”

“I want to go out and have a look.”

“Don’t argue. Sit down.” His tone was firm.

Julie mumbled quietly under her breath but sat back down.

He suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence, “How did things go when you went to visit your father?”

Julie was caught off guard. She lowered her head and murmured, “It was okay, I guess.”

Lucian’s voice was low as he impassioned, “If my siblings put me in a place like that, I’d never forgive them—not even after my death.”

Hearing that, Julie was dumbfounded.

She didn’t want to put George in Emerald Sanatorium either, but Mandy controlled everything at home, and she had no choice. All her hopes now rested on Martha. Thinking about the promise she made to Martha, she felt frustrated. She shouldn’t have argued with Zayn today. She should have just gone along with him. She sighed softly. Lucian put down his cutlery and reached over, lifting her head. “What’s with the sigh?”

Julie flinched slightly, still not used to these affectionate gestures.

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Let’s go. I’ll take you back.”