The energy in the room changes instantly.
Julian steps closer, his gaze moving over me slowly, not assessing...checking. Like he’s making sure I’m still in this with him.
“I wanted you settled,” he says. “Comfortable.”
Comfortable.
I almost laugh.
“It’s… impressive,” I say instead.
His mouth curves faintly. “That’s one word for it.”
I grip the edge of the dresser behind me, grounding myself. “Claire’s very… thorough.”
“She is,” he agrees.
We stand there, close but not touching, the space between us thick with everything we’re not saying. My gaze drifts back to the closet. The dresses. The jewelry. The life already laid out for me.
“This doesn’t feel real,” I admit quietly.
His expression gentles, just enough to notice. “It will.”
He is not offering comfort or reassurance. He says it like it's a reality I need to adjust to.
I inhale slowly. “Where… do you want me?”
The words are practical.No... the words come out of me because I don't know what I am doing. The way his eyes darken tells me he heard something else.
“This is your home,” he says carefully. “You don’t need permission to do anything.”
I nod, but I still don’t move. Still don't trust it.
He watches me, something unreadable tightening in his jaw. Then he speaks again, gentler. “I’ll give you time. I have a call to make. But please make yourself comfortable... I would like to take you to dinner later.”
He pauses at the door.
“Lucy,” he says, “We’ll find a balance.”
I don't know if he is trying to convince him or me.
The door closes behind him.
I sit on the edge of the bed, the weight of the room pressing in on me, and finally let my breath shake. Finally, start to process what just happened,
I’m married.
I’m protected.
I’ve stepped into a life so far removed from my own that it feels like trespassing.
And underneath the fear, the guilt, the disbelief, there’s something else.
A quiet, worrisome thought I don’t know what to do with yet.
What if this changes everything? Changes me?
Chapter 32 - Julian
