She pointed to the bruise on her arm and the cut on her lip. She had hurt herself on purpose just to make Julian believe her story.
"I was so scared," she said, tears falling down her face. "I didn’t know where to go. I ca here because I knew I would be safe. I only needed a place to stay until morning. I am so sorry, Julian."
"Just go. Now," Julian said coldly. He turned around and walked into his bedroom.
Julian turned and went into his bedroom.
Ethan stared at her suspiciously.
"I think you should leave."
"Of course," Sasha said softly.
She lowered her head, wiping her tears as she walked out.
Ethan took out his phone and called Emily.
A little while later, Julian ca out fully dressed.
"You really believe her?" Ethan asked.
Julian adjusted his cuff calmly.
"It doesn’t matter. I’m having her biotric access revoked."
Ethan nodded. "Yeah... good call."
He studied Julian for a second, then added with a smirk.
"You’re too hot, man. Won keep falling for you. It’s becoming a problem. I an look at this ss."
Julian shot him a flat, serious look. "This isn’t a joke."
Ethan raised his hands slightly. "Alright, alright. I have already solved half of your problem anyway."
"How?"
"I called Emily and explained everything. Now it’s up to you to convince Lyvana. But you know she doesn’t rember you, so that’s going to be a bit difficult."
"Ethan, I owe you one.
Ethan laughed. "You owe a lot more than one, Julian. But I’ll put it on your tab."
....
"What is there to explain, Emy? You saw what I saw," Lyvana said quietly. She was lying on the bed.
"Yeah, but Ethan said..."
"I really don’t care," Lyvana interrupted, throwing a pillow toward the headboard. "We are not in a relationship. He can do whatever he wants with his... physical therapist."
"Well, um. You are in a relationship," Emily teased gently. "You and Julian are expecting twins. Even if you don’t rember."
"Fine," Lyvana snapped, turning her back to her friend. "But I really don’t care who he sees."
"Yes, you do," Emily said softly, though her eyes were full of sympathy.
"Who’s side are you on."
"Yours. Always."
Just then, there was a knock.
"Who could that be?" Emily whispered. She gave Lyvana a worried look before hurrying to the door.
Lyvana didn’t move. She stayed on the bed, facing the wall, her knees pulled up to her chest. She hated the heavy, hollow ache in her heart.
It didn’t make sense. She barely knew Julian. He was essentially a stranger to her.
So why did it feel like her world was falling apart? Why did the image of that woman make her feel terrible?
She heard soone enter. When she turned, she realized it was Julian.
She frowned and got up to leave but Julian quickly held her waist to keep her from leaving. But she pulled away, slipping free of his hold. She moved to the window turning her back to him.
"Julian, you don’t have to explain anything to ," she said. "I really don’t care who you sleep with."
"Is that right?" he asked slowly walking towards her. "You don’t care?"
"I don’t. We aren’t anything to each other. You have your life, and I... I’m just soone in your life."
"You’re a terrible liar, Lyvana."
"I am not a liar," she snapped, turning around to face him.
Big mistake.
He was right there. His face inches from hers.
"If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t have run out the way you did."
"Maybe I ran because I didn’t want to see it," Lyvana shot back, her voice trembling despite her best effort to sound indifferent. "Maybe I have more self-respect than to stand there and watch you with her."
"Watch with her?" he repeat. "You think I touched her?"
"Didn’t you?" She hated that she asked.
"No."
He then explained everything that happened.
He leaned in, his breath ghosting her cheek. "The only woman I’ve touched since you appeared in my life, is you."
Her heart slamd against her ribs.
"That is quite hard to believe..."
"It’s the truth," he cut in.
"Is still going to be working for you? She quickly looked away, focusing on a spot on the wall. "Actually, don’t answer that. It doesn’t even matter to if she does. I don’t have any right to tell you who..."
Before she could finish the sentence, his hand quickly cupped her jaw, tilting her face up, forcing her to et his gaze.
"Stop," he said. "Stop acting like you’re a stranger in my life. Even if you don’t rember , your body does. Your feelings do."
His thumb brushed over the curve of her jawline.
"You have every right. You’re the only one who does. If her presence makes you feel even a little uncomfortable, she’s gone. It’s that simple."
Lyvana’s heart hamred against her ribs. "You would fire your therapist just because I’m... upset?"
"I would burn the whole building down, if it makes you uncomfortable," he murmured, leaning closer until their lips were inches apart. "I told you, Liv. I am yours. Believe it."
Julian didn’t wait for her to find another excuse. He leaned in and kissed her, gently.
Julian’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled back reluctantly, his and checked the screen.
Lily.
A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. He swiped to answer, but he didn’t move away from Lyvana. He kept one hand firmly on her waist.
"I told you not to call for a few hours," he said into the phone.
"TMZ just posted sothing on their website. You need to see it, sir."
"Posted what?"
"Check your mail. It’s bad."
He opens his email and follows the link to the TMZ website. He scrolls through then sees the post at the top of their feed.
It’s a photo. Of his wedding with Catalina. Then another one of him and Lyvana, his hand on the small of her back entering The Royale.
The caption read:
Did the city’s sweetheart destroy a marriage?
The comnts section was already moving too fast to read.
"What the fuck?"
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