Chapter 3

Julian didn't stay the night. He owned a penthouse in the neighboring tower and headed back there.

The next morning, he came over with breakfast.

The table was covered with a lavish spread of gourmet pastries. Chloe smirked smugly.

"Did you buy all this because you knew I was here, Julian?"

"Oh, wow, this bakery is my absolute favorite, but the line is always insane! Did you wake up early just to queue?"

Julian glanced up at her coldly. "Nora likes their pastries. That's why I went."

Chloe let out a drawn-out "Oh," while tapping her fresh acrylic nails against the tabletop. That was her signature tell—she was strategizing. If she was only mildly curious before, now she was determined to claim him.

My grip on Julian's hand tightened unconsciously. Feeling the pinch, he looked at me. I quickly apologized and left the table.

That evening, I returned from work to find them on opposite ends of the sofa again. Julian stood up to greet me.

He whispered, "Doesn't your stepsister have her own place? Why is she camping out in your apartment every day?"

I looked up at him. "Add her on WhatsApp. Maybe then she'll leave you alone."

His expression stiffened. After a beat, he mumbled, "I actually just added her. She promised she'd pack up and leave tomorrow if I did."

"Oh," I said quietly, turning toward my bedroom.

Julian followed, wrapping his arms around me and asking if I was mad.

"I just didn't want to see her face every day. Even if I added her, I can mute her. Look, I already set her chat to Do Not Disturb."

He shoved his phone in front of my face to prove his innocence.

I said nothing. My disappointment hung heavily in the air, so Julian spent the next hour trying to cheer me up.

At dinner, he kept cracking jokes to make me laugh.

Watching us, Chloe gave a subtle sneer. "Aw, Nora, your boyfriend is so sweet."