Chapter 63 Holding Hands on a Walk
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Chapter 63 Holding Hands on a Walk
Julian’s brows immediately furrowed.
Rosalie didn’t look at him. She stared at the dark shadows of the trees ahead and spoke softly, “When I was little, my father treated me really well. He would lift me onto his shoulders to take me to concerts and secretly buy me the latest toys when I got first place in school.
“But at some point, he changed. He started favoring others, making unreasonable demands on me, and
even…”
Rosalie didn’t continue. She sometimes wondered if she wasn’t really William’s daughter -that maybe
Camelia was.
Julian remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, “My father doesn’t like me.”
Rosalie was stunned. Her self-pity immediately dissolved.
She turned her head and, trying to act casual, extended her hand. “Well, we’re in the same boat, then.
Shall we shake on it?”
Julian lowered his gaze and looked at the hand reaching toward him. He took it.
His palm, broad and calloused and warm as fire, instantly enveloped her slightly cold fingertips.
Rosalie instinctively tried to pull back, but Julian tightened his grip, holding her hand firmly. He said
calmly, “Who goes for a walk without holding hands? You want people thinking we’re not close?”
Rosalie had no choice but to stop struggling. But being held like that felt strangely wrong.
Even though she had always held hands with Lucian when they went out, that was a habit shaped since
childhood. With Julian… it was completely new.
She regretted ever joking about a handshake.
Trying to steer the conversation, she said with relief, “At least my mother is really good to me. What about
yours?”
Julian’s voice was flat as he stared ahead. “My mother doesn’t like me, either.”
Rosalie fell silent, the awkwardness between them settling instantly. One sentence had completely killed
the conversation.
She couldn’t figure it out, so she asked hesitantly, “You’re an only child, right? If they don’t like you, who do they like?”
Julian suddenly turned his head toward her, his dark eyes steady as he countered, “Aren’t you an only child, too? Why doesn’t your father like you?”
Rosalie was speechless. But she knew it wasn’t the same.
Chapter 63 Holding Hands on a Walk
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She thought to herself that every family had its own complicated stories, hidden reasons, and unspoken hardships that no one could fully understand.
Rosalie suddenly remembered something. “By the way, since you and I married in a rush, didn’t your
parents want to meet me?”
Julian’s steps didn’t falter. His voice was calm when he answered, “They only care that I’m married. Who
my wife is doesn’t concern them.”
Rosalie froze and thought, “Such parents really exist?”
She composed herself and spoke softly, “My mother will probably find out soon. She’ll worry about me, so
I want to set up a meeting with you both to put her at ease.”
“Alright,” Julian replied briefly.
The two of them continued holding hands as they walked along the tree-lined path of their community. The summer night breeze was warm, and the mosquitoes were unusually persistent.
Rosalie felt an itch spreading across her neck and arms and raised her hand to scratch, only to find several red bumps. Her skin was delicate, and the marks on her pale arms stood out sharply.
Julian immediately grabbed her hand before she could scratch the itch away. “Don’t scratch,” he said.
Without another word, he led her toward the 24-hour pharmacy at the edge of the community. Soon he returned with a tube of ointment, opened it, and tilted his head slightly toward her. “Lift your
Rosalie obeyed, tilting her face upward. His rough fingertips pressed against her tender neck.
head.”
It was a strange feeling. The ointment cooled her itchy skin, yet his warm fingers pressed through it like a faint current, sending shivers down her spine.
Rosalie couldn’t help but instinctively shrink her neck.
