Chapter 991
+15 BONUS
“Don’t underestimate someone like Kelly. She’s caused Sharon plenty of trouble before,” Wendy said.
A flicker passed through Thomas’s eyes, and he fell into an uncharacteristic silence.
Just then, a man’s low, gentle voice sounded from behind them.
“Sharon.”
Sharon turned, finding Julliard standing beneath the dazzling lights. Handsome, with soft, refined features, he looked every bit the prince out of a fairy tale.
Wendy’s voice lifted in surprise. “Julliard!”
Sharon wavered for a moment, caught off guard.
Julliard stepped forward at an unhurried pace until he stood before them.
“Hello, Sharon. Wendy. Thomas.
Wendy grinned. “Julliard, you look especially dashing tonight.”
He smiled faintly, then looked at Sharon. “Sharon, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
He explained his lateness. “Apologies. I was delayed on the road.”
Thinking of how Julliard had arranged for assassins to strike at Jamie, Wendy felt a conflicted mix of gratitude and pity for him. She knew Sharon well enough to see there was almost no chance for the two of them.
Wanting to give them a moment alone, she exchanged a glance with Thomas.
“Thomas, let’s leave Sharon and Julliard to talk. We’ll come back later.”
Thomas’s long lashes lowered, his face expressionless as he walked away.
Once the others had left, Sharon finally spoke.
“Julliard, I haven’t had the chance to thank you for last time.”
Julliard didn’t dare meet her gaze. “Sharon… I wronged you. If I hadn’t insisted you stay in the hospital, Jamie’s men wouldn’t have had the chance to take you.” (1)
He knew Sharon had hidden the fact from everyone that she had been kidnapped from the hospital.
“It wasn’t your fault,” Sharon said. “If not for your protection, Jamie would’ve had me much sooner. And since you were injured because of me, taking care of you was only right. Oh, and… thank you for helping me take revenge on Jamie.”
His eyes flickered. “Jamie?”
1/2
Chapter 991
+15 BONUS
Lowering her voice, Sharon continued, “At the signing, he was shot. Then in the hospital, someone stabbed him. That was your assassin, wasn’t it?”
Julliard’s lips parted, but in the end, he lowered his eyes without answering–neither confirming nor denying Instead, he changed the subject.
“Sharon, this is a gift to celebrate today’s occasion.”
Along with a business contract, he had prepared something more personal.
He handed her a gift box.
“Go on, open it. See if you like it.”
Sharon lifted the lid. Inside lay a delicate crystal music box, its surface carved with a familiar violin.
Her breath caught.
Shaluna.
She couldn’t help but lift it into her hands. Somehow, Julliard had recreated every detail of the violin she once loved, down to its most intricate features.
Her eyes grew damp. When Jamie had kidnapped her, he had destroyed Shaluna.
Julliard, Xavier, and Carter had all sent people searching, but it was never found. And even if it had been recovered, it would have been beyond repair.
Now, as she gazed at the music box, Julliard’s voice sounded by her side.
“I know what Shaluna meant to you. Though it’s gone, I hoped this might bring you a little comfort.”
