Chapter 5

Nathan returned from the hospital soon enough and was treated like royalty, even when he was without a scratch at all. Everyone in the family tiptoed around him, pampered him, and shielded him. This was especially true of Bianca, who spoiled him like he was made of glass. Whatever he wanted, she would find a way to get it. Even if he woke up in the middle of the night craving a specific drink, she would get out of bed and head out to buy it without a second thought. "Jules, can you not see it? The way I treat Nathan now is all because of you." Bianca always had an excuse prepared, a righteous justification. "I'm trying to atone on your behalf. Bethany gave her life for me, yet you tried to kill Natahan with your car. How are we supposed to live with that?" She pleaded, "I'm trying my best to make up for what you did. Can you stop making things worse? I didn't defend you that day because I did not want the whole family to turn on you. So stop targeting him now, please." Julian let out a small chuckle and nodded. "Don't worry. I won't cause any more trouble." He would never shed another tear for her again, either. "Really?" Bianca's eyes lit up. She hugged him tightly with relief and said, "That's great! You've finally come around. There's nothing between me and Nathan. He lost his wife, and I'm just doing what my sister would have done. "If anything happened between us, do you think Bethany would forgive me up in Heaven?" Bianca did not understand that heartbreak did not always come with yelling or screaming. It sometimes came with silent acceptance and letting go. Fighting meant there was still hope, something worth saving. But once the shouting stopped, that meant there was nothing left to fight for. Julian did not react at all when they worshipped Nathan. He just quietly prepared his documents to leave the country. There were only a few days left before his departure, and he wanted to spend them peacefully. However, Nathan came looking for him soon after. He stood there, smug and victorious as he said, "You already figured it out, didn't you? Your wife's baby is mine. "Be smart and divorce her. Once Bianca is mine, maybe I'll be kind enough to let you go." Julian actually laughed. "You're so sure that after our divorce, Bianca will marry you?" he asked. "She's Bethany's sister. Her marrying you is incestuous." That hit a nerve. Nathan grabbed Julian by the collar and snarled, "You think you're better than me? Just because my wife died and yours didn't?" He leaned in close, his voice poisonous. "You've always been a loser compared to me. You think Bianca really loved you? She slept with me, not just for that baby, you know. She kept coming back even after she got pregnant. "She said I was full of vigor—powerful, unlike you, who was cold and boring in bed." Julian did not even blink. "Male escorts are passionate in bed, too. I've never seen a woman line up to marry one," he replied quietly. The words made Nathan twist with rage. His hand shot up, ready to strike. But just before his palm landed, he stopped cold. "Do you remember that game we used to play when we were kids, my dear brother?" A strange smile curled his lips, eerily wicked. Julian's stomach turned at the sight. He reached out to stop him, but it was all too late. Still wearing that twisted grin on his face, Nathan threw himself backward. He went tumbling down the stairs.