Chapter 3 - THE BOSS WHO COULD WALK
Julian didn't sleep that night.
He stood in his private office, staring at the empty wheelchair.
Marco DeLuca, his head of security, stood near the door.
“You should have told her.”
Julian looked up.
“Don't.”
Marco folded his arms.
“She was terrified.”
“I know.”
“You let her believe she was protecting a paralyzed man from execution.”
Julian's jaw tightened.
“I needed to know whether she was working for Victor.”
“And now?”
Julian stared at the door Elena had walked through.
“Now I know she wasn't.”
Marco shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
Julian's eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“She wasn't protecting the Black Devil.”
Julian said nothing.
“She was protecting the man she thought couldn't protect himself.”
The words struck harder than Marco intended.
Julian looked away.
For three months, Elena had cared for him without asking for anything.
She'd brought him coffee before dawn.
Argued with him about skipping meals.
Placed blankets over his legs when the mansion grew cold.
She'd never once treated him as weak.
She'd treated him as human.
And he'd rewarded her by lying.
Margaret entered the office.
Her expression was furious.
“You staged that entire attack?”
Julian nodded.
She stared.
“Six armed men?”
“They were my security team.”
“Elena didn't know that!”
“I know.”
Margaret stepped closer.
“Do you understand what you've done?”
Julian looked at her.
“I was trying to find the traitor.”
“You found someone who loved you.”
He froze.
Margaret's expression softened.
“Yes, Julian. She loves you.”
He looked away.
“And you broke her trust.”
For a long time, nobody spoke.
Then Julian whispered, “I need to find her.”
Margaret shook her head.
“No.”
His eyes flashed.
“What?”
“You need to give her space.”
Julian stared at his sister.
May you like
Margaret continued.
“And if you want any chance of earning her forgiveness, start by telling the truth.”
