Chapter 8
Morning settled over the Blackwell estate. Julian sat at the head of the dining table. In front of him was his usual breakfast—a perfectly fried soft-centered egg, two slices of whole-wheat toast, and a cup of steaming black coffee.
It had been his standard breakfast for the past ten years.
But today, he stared at the coffee with a faint frown.
It was too hot.
In the past, Nina would always cool the coffee to the exact temperature he liked before quietly sliding the cup to his side.
"Aria," Julian said softly, "let the coffee cool a bit."
Aria froze for a moment, then stood with a bright smile. "Sure. I'll cool it down for you."
She picked up the cup and blew on it gently, her lips pursed in a playful, almost childlike gesture.
Julian watched her, yet for no reason at all he found himself remembering the way Nina used to lower her head and focus intently on her work.
He abruptly shook his head, forcing the inappropriate thought away.
He had simply grown used to her taking care of things.
She was just a doctor. If she died, she died.
"No need." His tone turned faintly distant as he pushed Aria's hand away. "I'll do it myself."
Aria's smile stiffened for a split second. A trace of darkness flickered in her eyes before the sweetness returned. "Julian, have you been working too hard lately? Want me to go to the beach with you to relax? You promised to take me to Gutrein to watch the sunset."
"Mm." Julian answered absentmindedly, his gaze drifting toward the corner of the dining room.
A high-backed chair used to stand there. It had been Nina's seat. Now the chair was gone, leaving nothing but empty space.
She used to sit there, flipping through medical journals while eating breakfast, occasionally glancing up at him.
"Julian?" Aria waved a hand in front of his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Julian came back to himself and forced his fingers around Aria's hand, softening his voice. "Come with me to try on formal wear tonight. I should get a suit tailored for the engagement banquet."
Aria's eyes lit up instantly as she leaned into him. "Really? You're finally putting effort into our wedding!"
Julian didn't answer. He only squeezed her hand lightly.
That afternoon, the Blackwell family's quarterly meeting was held in the underground vault chamber.
Twelve elders sat around a long table discussing the transfer of an Uthington arms route. Normally Julian spoke first, his reasoning precise and his decisions ruthless.
But today he remained silent the entire time.
When one elder asked about the security breach at the port, Julian paused for several seconds before finally answering. "Increase patrols."
Another elder lowered his voice. "Julian, you seem distracted today."
Julian absently rubbed the center of his left palm. The fresh wound there tingled faintly.
The last time he had taken a bullet in the back during a shootout, Nina had stayed beside his hospital bed for three straight days, personally changing his dressings.
She had always said, "Keep the wound dry. Don't let it touch water."
Now it seemed no one had reminded him of that in a very long time.
"Julian!" an elder snapped sharply. "You're drifting off. That's not like you."
The cold clarity returned to Julian's eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses. "My apologies. I was thinking about something else. Please continue."
He reminded himself that he had personally ordered Nina to be thrown into the sea.
She was only a traitor. If she died, so be it.
When the meeting ended, Julian walked alone to the underground shooting range. He needed an outlet.
But the moment he picked up the gun, he remembered Nina standing behind him once, one hand steadying his wrist, the other pressing lightly against the old scar on his shoulder blade. "Don't rush. Keep your breathing steady. Your shoulder was injured before. The recoil could tear the scar open."
It seemed Nina had left traces of herself everywhere, making it impossible to forget her.
Irritated, he threw the gun down and walked away.
That night, Aria prepared an elaborate candlelight dinner.
A diamond necklace Julian had given her rested against her neck. She smiled brightly. "Julian, do I look beautiful tonight?"
Julian nodded, but when she leaned closer, he instinctively shifted his body aside.
"Julian, what's wrong?" Aria noticed the distance immediately, her eyes reddening. "Are you still thinking about that woman? She betrayed you. Why are you still thinking about her?"
"I'm not." Julian frowned, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Then prove it to me!" Aria threw herself into his arms, lifting her face to kiss him as her fingers hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt. "Tonight… don't go to the study. Stay with me."
Julian's body stiffened for a moment, but in the end he closed his eyes and let her continue.
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