Chapter 3
“No!”
Emma clutched the Braille book tightly against her chest, her voice firm. “I won’t leave unless Julian dismisses me personally.“]
I was about to call security when something caught my eye–the book in her hands. Those brown bloodstains on the cover looked strangely familiar.]
My heart lurched. “Where did you get that book?“]
“Julian gave it to me,” Emma replied.[]
My eyes instantly welled up.
I lowered my gaze, fighting back tears, and managed to ask with forced calm, “He… gave it
“Yes.”
Emma frowned, clearly confused by my reaction.[]
Something inside me shattered like glass.
to
Seven years ago during the kidnapping, Julian had been trapped in that 42nd–floor elevator, subjected to inhuman torture. The kidnappers had even poured filthy, rotten water into his eyes, leaving him screaming and writhing in that cramped space.[]
After his rescue, Julian remained blind for months.
To help him communicate with the outside world, I’d learned Braille and taught it to him bit by bit. Even when he showed no response, I persisted. I’d spent an entire month transcribing historical papers into Braille books, just for him.
The Braille stylus had punctured my fingertips countless times, leaving them covered in dried blood.]
But it had been worth it.]
Julian had finally responded.}
He’d been the youngest recipient of the National History Award, passionate about historical research. During his blindness, he’d trace his fingers over that Brailie book every single day. I’d thought it was our token of love–the way his expression would soften whenever he touched those raised dots.
But now…
I stared at the Braille book in Emma’s hands until my eyes burned and stung.
My treasured symbol of our bond was nothing more than a gift for his one–night stand.[]
My mind went blank. I lunged forward and snatched the book away.[]
Emma instinctively fought back. I shoved her hard–0
She stumbled backward, her perfectly tailored dark suit tearing at the seams.[]
At that moment, someone rushed in behind me, shoving me aside and racing straight to Emma. Strong arms pulled her into a protective embrace.]
I crashed to the floor, my vision going black.]
When my sight cleared, I found myself kneeling on the ground, staring up at my husband Julian as he held Emma in a defensive posture, his cold gaze fixed on me
A few minutes later, Julian looked down at Emma.[]
He finally spoke, his voice low and comforting. “Don’t… be afraid of her. I’m here.”
I knelt there, sharp pain shooting through my ankle.
Chapter 3
His words cut through me like a dull blade, carving away pieces of my heart.]
In our seven years of marriage, I’d tried everything to get Julian to speak to me. Nothing worked.[]
Except when rejecting my physical advances–then he’d coldly find his voice.[]
Otherwise, Julian chose silence around me.]
The only time he willingly spoke was at historical society meetings.[]
How pathetic.]
I stared down at the bloody gash on my ankle where the table corner had cut me.[]
Emma’s shy voice reached my ears. “Julian, my skirt is torn… You shouldn’t hold me like this. It’s not appropriate…”
Her dark pencil skirt had been provocatively designed to begin with. Now it was completely indecent.[]
Julian’s palm rested against the smooth skin of her inner thigh–a result of his autism–related sensory delays. He seemed completely unaware, his expression unchanged.
Emma’s face flushed crimson as she looked at me desperately. “Ms. Diana, I’m so sorry… Please tell Julian to let me go…“]]
I stood up and called for a servant.[]
The woman took in the tangled figures with barely concealed exasperation. “Julian, please put Dr. Emma down. Her dress is damaged. I’ll take her to change clothes.”
Julian frowned slightly.[]
Without a word, he lifted Emma and suddenly rushed into the walk–in closet.]
The door slammed shut behind them.
The sound of the lock clicking was deafening.
