Chapter 4: Soon Enough

Claire's POV

This is the first time I've ever fought with Julian.

When I slam the door and run out, tears are still streaming down my face. The beach house is huge, but every guest room is full. His business partners, the people he brought along, they're everywhere.

I don't know where to go. Footsteps echo from the stairwell and I quickly wipe my face, heading in the opposite direction.

"Ms. Hartley."

Julian's assistant appears in front of me. He holds out a key.

"Mr. Langford asked me to tell you there's a separate cottage out back. You can stay there tonight."

I take the key. My fingers are still shaking. "What about Mia?"

"The nanny's with her. Don't worry."

He pauses, then adds, "Mr. Langford also said you should get some rest."

I stare at the key in my hand. We just had a massive fight and he's already arranged everything. But what about him? Is he angry?

I look up to ask, but the assistant is already walking away.

I lie in bed staring at the ceiling. All I can think about is Julian's expression from earlier. That line he threw at me about cutting him off, it sounded almost mocking. But the way he turned and left felt like he was actually pissed.

I roll over and bury my face in the pillow. Damn it. Why am I always the one who panics first?

The next morning, a knock on the door wakes me up.

"Ms. Hartley, Mr. Langford wants you to join him for breakfast in the main house."

I blink at the assistant standing in the doorway. "Right now?"

"Yes." He smiles slightly. "Oh, and the engagement's been called off."

I almost think I misheard him. "What?"

"Last night after Ms. Hayes left, Mr. Langford notified everyone."

I grip the doorframe, trying to process this. He actually broke it off? Because of my tantrum last night?

"Breakfast starts at nine," the assistant reminds me. "You have ten minutes."

I rush to wash my face and throw on clean clothes. When I walk into the dining room, several people are already seated. Julian's business associates. He's at the head of the table, discussing some investment deal with a couple of them.

He sees me and pauses mid-sentence. I find a spot in the corner and sit down. The smell of coffee and bacon fills the air, but I have zero appetite.

Julian sets down his papers and slides the juice in front of him toward me. "There. Did what you wanted," he says, tone flat. "Now eat."

The others laugh and go back to their conversation. I pick up the glass and take small sips, my face burning.

After breakfast, everyone gathers on the deck. The ocean breeze carries the smell of cigar smoke. Julian's holding Mia by the railing, pointing out seagulls. She's giggling and reaching toward the sky.

I stand off to the side, anxiety twisting in my stomach. I want to find an excuse to take Mia back, but I don't want to interrupt them.

"That kid really does look like you, Langford," a middle-aged man says with a laugh. "Especially the eyes. I kept thinking it during breakfast."

My entire body goes rigid. Julian glances down at Mia, then looks at me with an expression I can't read.

"You think so?" He smiles, voice casual. "Yeah, I guess. But don't go spreading rumors. I'm not even married."

Everyone laughs. Someone jokes, "Better hurry up then."

Julian doesn't respond. He hands Mia to the nanny who's walked over. "Take her to play on the beach for a bit."

The nanny carries Mia away. The crowd gradually disperses, splitting into smaller conversations. Julian walks toward me and I freeze. My palms are slick with sweat.

"Got something you want to tell me?" He stops in front of me, voice low.

I twist my fingers into the hem of my shirt. "Like what?"

Julian stares at me, those mismatched eyes revealing nothing. After a long moment, he smiles faintly. "Nothing. Just asking."

The silence is suffocating. I bite my lip. "I need to go into town."

"Town?"

"Yeah." I scramble for an excuse. "My friend's nearby. We're meeting up."

Julian studies me for a few seconds. "Fine. Be back before dinner."

When I drive away from the beach house, I can't stop shaking. In the rearview mirror, Julian's standing on the porch, watching my car. It's not until I turn out of the gate that I finally breathe.

He suspects something. I know he does. The more I think about it, the harder I press on the gas.

The bar in town is small and dimly lit. My best friend is already waiting in a booth.

"Why do you look like death?" she says the second she sees me.

I drop into the seat across from her and immediately order a bottle of vodka. "Hey!" She looks alarmed. "Are you insane? That's like a hundred proof."

"I need courage." I twist the cap off and take a huge swig. It burns so bad my eyes water.

"What the hell happened?" She grabs the bottle away from me. "Talk to me."

I cover my face. My voice comes out shaky. "He's figuring it out."

"Figuring what out?"

"About Mia." I look up, eyes already red. "This morning someone told him she looks like him. Right in front of everyone."

My friend goes silent. "Maybe he's just curious?"

"Curious?" My voice gets louder. "You didn't see the way he looked at me afterward. Like he was interrogating a suspect."

I snatch the bottle back and take another drink. "What am I supposed to do? If he finds out, he's going to destroy me."

"Stop drinking." She tries to grab my hand. "You need to calm down."

"I can't calm down!" I push her away. "You don't get it. Five years ago I waited until he took sleeping pills and then I—"

My friend claps a hand over my mouth. "Shh! This is a public bar! What if one of his friends is here?"

I freeze. The alcohol fog clears slightly. "Come on," she pulls me to my feet. "We're leaving. Now."

But it's too late.

Near the bar, a familiar figure slowly turns around. Suit. Cold expression. Those unmistakable eyes.

Julian.

He's holding a glass of whiskey, leaning against the bar. He looks like he's been standing there for a while.

All the blood drains from my face. My friend whispers, "Uh, hey Julian. I just remembered I have something to do. Bye Julian."

Then she bolts.

Julian sets down his glass and walks toward me. Every step feels like it's crushing my chest.

"You drunk?" He stops in front of me, voice quiet.

I take a step back. "I just got here. Barely had anything."

Julian smiles. That cold, humorless smile. "Really? Then what was all that you were just saying?"

I retreat another step. "I didn't say anything."

"Sleeping pills," Julian moves closer. "Waiting until I wasn't clearheaded."

My legs feel like jelly. "I was talking nonsense. I'm drunk."

Julian reaches out and grabs my wrist. "Let's go. We can talk about this back at the house."

His grip is iron. I try to pull away as he drags me toward the exit, my mind racing in panic. This is it. I'm done.

I yank my arm free and run.

Behind me, I hear Julian laugh softly. Like he's not worried at all. I don't even know where I'm going. This town is completely unfamiliar. After running through several blocks, I stop, gasping for air.

I look back. Julian's about thirty feet away, hands in his pockets, strolling after me like he's taking a walk. Like this is entertainment.

I turn into a quiet residential area. The streetlights are dim and every house has its door shut. I can't run anymore. I stop in front of one house and frantically press the doorbell.

The door opens. A middle-aged woman looks at me in surprise. Before I can say anything, Julian's arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me against him.

"Sorry to bother you," he says, voice perfectly calm. "My wife had too much to drink."

The woman glances at me, then at Julian, and smiles. "No problem, Mr. Langford. Drive safe."

Julian steers me away, his arm locked around my shoulders like a vice. I can't break free.

"I'm not your wife," I mutter.

Julian leans down, his breath hot against my ear. "Soon enough."

The heat of it sends a shiver through my entire body.