Chapter 58

A subtle flicker passed through Rodger's gaze as he shared a fleeting, covert glance with Julian.

For a brief moment, doubt pricked at him-had he gone too far? And why did Yvonne look as though she might burst into tears?

Julian steadied him with a composed look before remarking in an even tone, "Grandpa, once Yvonne's ready to leave the hospital, we'll pack our luggage and head back."

Yvonne's eyes, rimmed with red, dropped as she nodded without resistance.

Only then did Rodger's face light up. A broad smile spread across his wrinkled features as he declared cheerfully, "Excellent. I won't impose any longer. I've got a coffee appointment with the hospital director,so I'll be on my way!" He lifted his hand in signal, and Paula quickly stepped forward, wheeling him out of the room with brisk efficiency.

In the next instant, silence settled again. Only Yvonne and Julian remained, the closed door leaving them alone with the weight of unspoken words.

Yvonne's brief sense of relief quickly soured as the reality sank in. Pressing her palm to her forehead,she whispered in disbelief, "I can't believe I actually agreed to that!"

Sharing a roof with Julian again, right under Rodger's sharp, suspicious eyes-didn't that mean endless charades, day after day, pretending they were still the picture of a loving couple? The thought alone made her stomach twist.

Frustration bubbled over, and she shot Julian a sharp glare. "How could you just stand there and say nothing? What if we slip and give ourselves away in front of him?"

Julian, unfazed, leaned back slightly, his voice steady and unhurried. "Moving back isn't such a terrible idea."

A faint, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips, as if he almost found her outrage amusing.

Suspicion flickered in Yvonne's eyes as she studied him. Julian hesitated, then explained with quiet sincerity, "I just don't want Grandpa to be upset."

That was exactly the excuse she had expected. It left her no outlet for blame-Julian wasn't the one at fault. The only one she could resent was herself for being too easily swayed.

With the choice sealed, regret settled over her like a heavy cloak. Her shoulders sagged, anda faint weariness dulled her expression.

Julian sensed her mood faltering but couldn't come up with the right words. Instead, he lifted another spoonful of salad and held it ou. "Do you want some more?"

She shot him a sharp look, irritation flashing across her face. "Rodger isn't here now. Why are you still performing? Aren't you supposed to be working? Or is babysitting me suddenly your new job?"

Julian offered no reply. He knew perfectly well how much work waited for him-Morton had already called several times, pressing him to return to the office for urgent matters. Yet he had ignored every call.

Julian struggled for words. After a quiet pause, he set the bowl aside and murmured, "Get some rest.I should head back to the office."

Yvonne parted her lips, caught between irritation and reluctant amusement. She wasn't truly angry-just obstinate, yearning for a tender word of comfort.

Instead, Julian looked almost relieved, as if her words had granted him permission to escape. He didn't even bother to invent an excuse. At her mention, he seized the chance immediately.

Her bright, expressive eyes clouded with annoyance.

Turning he head away with deliberate stubbornness, she muttered, "Then go."

Her mixture of defiance and hurt tugged at him, but Julian assumed her sulk still stemmed from the decision to return to the Powell estate.

His mouth tightened before he tried, awkwardly, to soothe her. "Don't trouble yourself over that film anymore. Just focus on resting. I'll line up another strong project for you to direct."

Slowly,Yvonne turned her gaze back to him, her eyes searching. His sincerity made her chest tighten,yet part of her couldn't quite trust it.

For the first time, he had swallowed his pride to comfort her, stepping into the role of a husband rather than a cold partner.

She had begun watching him with suspicion at every turn, yet now she found her certainty faltering.

The question that had been gnawing at her for days rose once more. Beneath the blanket, her fingers tightened into a fist, though outwardly she tried to look calm.

With a trace of mockery in her tone, she asked, "Tell me-why are you suddenly treating me so well?Julian, don't tell me you've actually fallen for me?"