Chapter 119
Even though Julian insisted he was fine, Sophie still spoke up. “Julian, why don’t you go rest in the lounge for a bit? I’ve got things under control here p>
“Alright.” Julian nodded and gently brushed a stray lock of hair behind Sophie’s ear. “Thank you, Sophie. Sorry to trouble you p>
Sophie took both of Julian’s hands in hers, her voice soft and reassuring. “Julian, we’re about to be family. There’s no need to be so formal with me p>
In the past, Julian would have said something more. But tonight, he just didn’t have the energy for even one extra word.
His mind was tangled up with just one question: Why hadn’t Caitlin shown up?
The whole reason he’d rushed into this engagement with Sophie was to draw Caitlin out, to make her storm in and object. But instead—
Caitlin acted like she didn’t even care!
What on earth was she thinking?
No one could imagine how much it hurt Julian right now.
“I’ll head to the lounge then,” he said, gently slipping his hands from Sophie’s and walking away.
Sophie watched him go, her beautiful brows knit in worry. She wasn’t stupid-she could feel that Julian hadn’t really been present all evening. Especially when he’d slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. His eyes hadn’t been on her at all; they’d been glued to the entrance, watching, waiting.
Who was he hoping to see?
Sophie narrowed her eyes and turned to glance outside.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
Just as she was about to look away, her pupils shrank.
A tall, striking woman was being escorted out of the B wing’s doors.
Was that Caitlin?
Sophie bit her lip, cold fury flickering in her eyes. Of course. No wonder Julian had been so distracted tonight.
So Caitlin had shown up after all!
That shameless little vixen-she and Julian were already divorced, yet she still couldn’t resist showing up to ruin Sophie’s engagement.
Pathetic. Homewrecker. Completely shameless.
Sophie’s face went pale with anger, her whole body trembling.
Just wait. She’d make sure Caitlin was driven out of Silverhaven for good.
Her fists clenched so tightly that her sharp nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t even notice the pain.
Julian entered the lounge, his face drawn and tired, a headache pounding behind his eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
A soft rapping came from the door.
“Come in p>
The door swung open. Dalton walked in.
“Julian p>
Julian glanced at him, saying nothing.
Dalton continued, “Are you okay p>
Julian pressed his fingers to his temples. “Dalton, why do you think Caitlin didn’t show up tonight p>
“Maybe she’s finally moved on p>
“That’s impossible!” Julian snatched a glass from the table and hurled it to the floor, shattering it. “She loved me too much. She wouldn’t just let go like that p>
Dalton sighed. “Julian, you have to face reality. Caitlin isn’t the same woman who used to revolve her whole life around you p>
“She’s cozying up to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, isn’t she doing that for me?” Julian demanded, staring at Dalton. “Why else would Caitlin be in the Hayes’ ballroom p>
In the past, everything Caitlin did had been for him. If he liked gray, she wore gray. She’d orbit around him like a lost puppy, never thinking of herself.
Julian searched Dalton’s eyes, desperate for confirmation.
But Dalton only gave him a cold splash of truth. “Celeste Hayes is about Caitlin’s age. I just saw Celeste personally walk Caitlin out to her car. Honestly, I think they’re friends p>
“No way! Absolutely not!” Julian snapped. “Miss Hayes would never be friends with someone like Caitlin! She must be trying to get on the Hayeses’ good side for my sake p>
Dalton shot Julian a look but remained silent.
The next morning.
Fortune headed into work as usual.
He’d just reached the time clock when Ray Barrett stepped out of the office. “Kensington! No need to clock in today p>
No need to clock in?
Fortune glanced at a coworker nearby. “Is today a holiday, Manager Barrett p>