Chapter 2: A Bound Reclaimed
Victoria stepped back, her heels sinking slightly into the soft dirt. Her lips parted, but no sound came out for several seconds. "Julian... what are you doing here? This doesn't concern you. She’s just a house servant who—"
"Silence," Julian said softly, though the word carried the weight of an iron command.
He walked past Victoria as if she were made of glass, kneeling directly into the cold mud without a second thought for his expensive suit. Clara shrank back instinctively, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. She had spent months running, hiding in small towns, working odd jobs, believing she had escaped the web of power and deceit that surrounded the Vance family.
"Julian... why... what are you doing here?" Clara whispered, her voice breaking on a sob.
Julian reached out, his large, warm hand gently gripping her shoulder. His touch was firm, grounding her amidst the storm of her fear. He leaned in close, his dark eyes locking onto hers, ignoring the frantic rain beginning to fall around them.
"No one touches what belongs to me," Julian murmured, his voice low and fiercely protective.
May you like
Victoria scoffed behind them, though her voice shook with rising panic. "She betrayed your family, Julian! She ran away with company secrets! She’s carrying a bastard child!"
Julian slowly stood up, turning to face Victoria. His eyes were cold, calculating, and devoid of any warmth. "She is carrying my heir, Victoria. And whatever secrets exist... were created by you."
