Page 237 of The Rules

It didn’t erase what had happened.

Didn’t make it comfortable.

But it reframed it.

Because as boundary-blurring as it had been—what he said, what he did—he’d been right. It worked. It shook her loose from the panic. Shoved her back into motion.

She’d acted.

She’d sent them away.

And now Bianca and Lisa were somewhere safe.

Katherine didn’t hesitate.

She crossed the room—three long strides—and wrapped her arms around him.

Julian froze.

His spine stiffened like someone had just touched a live wire. His arms stayed locked at his sides. For a beat, he didn't react at all.

Her face was tucked into his shoulder. Her hands curled slightly into the back of his jacket. The gesture was genuine.Grateful.Unfiltered.

And it threw him completely.

Julian's breath caught in his throat. His eyes flicked to Ben almost instantly—as if to say,I didn't ask for this. I didn't mean anything by it. Don't make this a thing.

His discomfort wasn't cold—it was mechanical. He didn't know what todowith this kind of emotion when it was freely given.

After a second too long, he lifted one hand and gave her a tentative pat on the back. Then another. Then a third.

Awkward. Measured.

Like he was following a script he'd never read.

Katherine pulled back before it could stretch into discomfort.

She met his eyes, her voice low and honest. "Thank you."

Julian exhaled slowly. His mouth quirked—not into a full smile, but something close. Something real.

"Don't get all sentimental on me now, sweetheart."

She nodded, then turned—and found Ben waiting.

She didn’t hesitate.

No stiffness. No distance.

Just a quiet step forward, and then her arms were around him—tight around his middle, forehead tucked to his shoulder,fingers curling into the back of his shirt like she needed the contact to stay grounded.

Ben exhaled, arms folding around her without pause.

One hand found the nape of her neck, fingers slipping into her hair, the gentle pressure sending a slow cascade of warmth down her spine. The other settled at the small of her back—steady, grounding, solid.

He didn't just hug her.

Heenfoldedher.