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I furrowed my forehead, confusion washing over me.
“I think he is not over you.” Val emphasized the “you,” making sure it resonated.
Suddenly, I felt sweat accumulate in my palms, the familiar warmth creeping up my skin as the weight of the moment hit me. My chest tightened, and I suddenly sank into a flashback—memories of us, carefree and alive, in Hawaii. The sound of the ocean, the sun warming our skin, the way we laughed without a care, as if nothing could touch us. It had been a perfect story… if I hadn’t already given my heart to someone else. My Hawaiian prince, I used to call him.
“Lucie?” Valentina’s voice brought me back, concerned. “You okay?”
I swallowed, my hands still clammy. “No, not at all.” I mustered just that. I’d always seen it in Bradley’s eyes—the love he had for me. I never questioned it, not really. It was there, in the way he looked at me, in the little things he did, in the way his body always seemed to mirror mine when we were together. But I’d neverreallyseen it, not until now. Not until Valentina’s words brought it into sharp focus.
“Did he tell you this?” I pressed. I hated the fact that any of this could cause him pain.
“Not directly,” she admitted, “but he’s confessed that he loves another girl, and that’s why he says he can’t see me. And there’s just nobody else in his life but you. It just makes sense. Do you see it too?”
“We have a connection, Val,” I confessed. “But I can’t be right for him because I love Julian. I’m trying to understand what it all means on a deeper level, but I’m not ready to face it just yet. What am I supposed to do with all of this, you know?” I shruggedmy shoulders in frustration. “I want him in my life as a friend, and I think we’d both prefer that over having nothing at all.”
Val jumped as we heard Julian’s footsteps before he appeared in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, girls, but Mr. Dickens is on the line. He wants to thank Lucie personally,” Julian exclaimed, handing me his cell. Unlike me, he seemed full of energy, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit and a checkered scarf. He flashed us both a smile so charming it could melt the room. My fiancé, my everything.
Valentina shot me an encouraging glance.
I took the phone from him. “Hi, Mr. Dickens,” I couldn’t help but sound weak-voiced, my words barely more than a whisper. My mind was consumed by Val’s revelation, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. A wave of guilt washed over me, leaving me feeling exposed and unsettled.
“Lucie, it’s so good to hear from you!” Sophie’s father’s voice was warm with sincerity. “I can’t begin to express how thankful I am for everything you’ve done to save my daughter. What a truly heroic act on your part.”
His joy was enough for me. “No worry Mr. Dickens, we all love Sophie.”
“I promised to award 20 million dollars to whoever led us to her.” He continued.
Well, I’d saved him money for sure…
“I want you to have it,” he announced. “I’d be truly offended if you say no. Please accept it from me as a reward for your courage, for bringing my child home.”
I hesitated. “Mr. Dickens, that’s too much. Sophie is my friend anyway.” Truly, I’d go into a fire for her without any reward.
Both Julian and Valentina slipped away to the kitchen area to fetch her a coffee. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Julian was already aware of this generous proposal. He appeared relaxed,but I could sense a hint of curiosity in him, as if he was subtly eavesdropping on our conversation.
“My daughter means everything to me. You took action that was beyond brave. I am not going to be missing the money, Lucie, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
After more than five years as Julian’s financial advisor, I knew he’d likely amassed a fortune. Still, this had to be a significant withdrawal from his bank account. “Mr. Dickens, it just doesn’t feel right to profit from her situation.” I objected. Part of me resisted not just the offer, but the idea of taking that kind of money. Maybe it was fear—fear of losing myself, of losing my purpose in the process.
“Nonsense, Lucie,” he replied, his tone warm yet resolute. “Sophie mentioned you’re planning a big purchase, and she insists we make it happen. Besides, we’re practically family at this point.”
To be honest, I could really use the money to buyHart & Quill. But it didn’t take long for me to realize how unrealistic my goal was—trying to make it on my own, especially with an MBA soon taking up most of my time. I knew I wasn’t going to come close to the amount I’d initially set for myself.
Julian shot me another look, his eyes filled with quiet encouragement as if silently urging me to accept. I could almost hear his voice in my head, making his usual argument—that I was going to be his wife no matter what. That within a day of marrying him, I’d be one of the richest women in California, regardless of anything else. He’d made it crystal clear that a prenuptial agreement wasn’t even on the table, according to his principles.
I beamed back at him, feeling a flutter in my chest. It never ceased to amaze me how gorgeous he was, how perfectly nature had designed him, almost as if life had crafted him withintention—perhaps knowing how it had initially put him at a disadvantage.
I exhaled. “Okay, Mr. Dickens. Please know I am grateful.”
“Come celebrate at our house today,” he invited, his voice thick with emotion. “Mark’s engaged to Sophie, in case you didn’t know already.”
“Yes, Julian’s told me. I’m so excited for them, and I’ll be there,” I promised, emerging from the emotional cave I’d built for myself. I was determined to show up, and I definitely intended to bring Valentina along as well. It felt reassuring to know that our friendship had found its footing again.
Julian now appeared completely absorbed in his conversation with her, as they discussed strategies for growing herPoshbabe Boutique. His addiction, at least for the moment, seemed behind him. He seemed ready to face the world once more, one sportscar at a time. I loved him in ways that seemed fated, and unbreakable. Even if it meant constantly wrestling with the ghosts of his past. For now, they seemed asleep—quiet, but never truly gone.
I placed my hand over my stomach, feeling it was the last time I would do so with this pregnancy. I had carried my baby for its entire life, and I would love it for the rest of mine.