Rosalie sat against the headboard of her bed with an open book resting on her lap. However, her eyes were not on the pages. Instead, she stared quietly out the window. Outside, the darkness of the night was gradually taking over the sky. Meanwhile, her thoughts remained trapped in the events of the previous night.
"Ethan…"
The moment his name crossed her mind, Rosalie's brows unconsciously furrowed. Ethan's cold eyes, his stubborn smile, and the way he had stared at Julian all resurfaced vividly in her memory. With a soft sigh, she closed the book and placed it aside.
On the sofa beside the bed, Lily was lying comfortably while watching television. A bowl of popcorn rested on her stomach as she lazily tossed pieces into her mouth. At that moment, a knock sounded from the door.
"Lily... Rosalie... Are you girls asleep yet?"
It was Isabella's voice.
"We're not asleep yet, Mommy. Come in."
The door opened, and Isabella stepped into the room. Rosalie immediately found herself studying Isabella's face. Although a faint smile rested on her lips, there seemed to be traces of worry hidden within her eyes.
"Mommy... what's wrong?"
Lily asked with concern. Rosalie also watched quietly from beside her. For a moment, Isabella did not answer.
"Mommy... is something bothering you? Is it because of Brother Ethan?"
Lily sat up slightly.
"If it's about him, don't worry too much. He's always like this anyway. He'll come back when he's ready."
Isabella let out a soft sigh before sitting down on the sofa.
"No, sweetheart. It's nothing."
She smiled gently.
"I'm just a little tired."
Lifting the fruit tray in her hands, she continued,
"I brought some fruit for you girls. They were freshly picked this evening. Eat some later."
Her gaze moved between the two girls.
"And why are you still awake? Young ladies should sleep early if they want beautiful skin."
A playful smile appeared on her face.
"Otherwise, it's not good for your health or your beauty."
After placing the fruit tray on the table, Isabella exchanged a few more words before leaving the room. The moment the door closed behind her; Rosalie's expression became thoughtful. She could clearly feel that Isabella was trying to hide something.
And whatever it was... It wasn't something good. For some reason, Rosalie felt that it might become something she herself or even Julian would have to worry about in the future. After Isabella left, silence once again settled over the room. As the quietness deepened, fragments of the past began resurfacing inside Rosalie's mind.
A memory of a night, rain poured heavily from the dark sky. In a narrow-deserted alley, Julian lying on the cold ground. Blood was everywhere. His body covered in wounds; eyes fixed upon her. Rosalie could almost feel the warmth of the blood staining her hands once again.
"Oh..."
She shook her head. Those things had already happened in her previous life. They were nothing more than memories.
And yet...
In that previous life, the person responsible for Julian's death or rather, the one who had orchestrated everything from the shadows had been Ethan. An uncomfortable feeling tightened inside her chest.
"Julian..."
Unable to remain inside any longer, Rosalie climbed off the bed and stepped out onto the balcony. Looking down from above, she immediately spotted Julian sitting alone at one of the tables on the lawn in front of the mansion. The moment he noticed her, he lifted his hand and waved. Rosalie smiled faintly and waved back. A second later, Julian pulled out his phone and sent her a message.
"Not asleep yet, my love?"
Rosalie lowered her gaze to her phone and smiled slightly.
"Not yet. I can't sleep."
Another message arrived almost immediately.
"Come to the front lawn."
...
When Rosalie arrived at the lawn in front of the mansion, Julian immediately opened his arms and welcomed her into a warm embrace. He gently brushed her hair aside before pressing a kiss against her forehead. Their eyes met and both of them smiled. Then, hand in hand, they walked toward a bench beside the small stream and sat down together.
Rosalie leaned comfortably against Julian's shoulder. Julian wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Neither of them mentioned Ethan. Yet the shadow of his presence still lingered between them. Julian gently stroked her hair.
"Ethan won't bother you again."
His voice was calm and reassuring.
"So don't be upset anymore."
Rosalie lowered her eyes.
"Julian... let's forget about him."
Her voice was soft.
"I don't want to think about him anymore."
As she spoke, she moved closer and buried herself in Julian's embrace. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Julian understood her better than anyone. He knew what she was feeling. Although seeing her suffer caused him pain, he was never good at expressing his own emotions. So instead, he simply tightened his embrace and quietly comforted her.
The clear surface of the stream reflected the pale crescent moon hanging in the night sky. A cool breeze drifted through the grass, carrying with it the fresh scent of nature. For a while, neither of them spokes. Eventually, Rosalie rested her face against Julian's chest and softly called his name.
"Julian..."
"Hm?"
"If it's Ethan..."
She hesitated and then continued.
"Please be careful."
Julian gently kissed the top of her head.
"I will."
His fingers moved through her hair.
"But why?"
Rosalie lowered her gaze.
"Because... I'm worried."
Julian tilted her chin upward slightly and looked into her eyes. The concern inside them was real. There was no trace of pretense.
"Rosalie..."
His voice softened.
"I'm okay."
Rosalie slowly shook her head.
"No..."
Her fingers tightened slightly around his shirt.
"He's not the kind of person who gives up easily."
Julian's brows drew together. The truth was he understood Ethan's personality as well. But seeing how worried Rosalie was made him want to ease her fears.
"Trust me."
A gentle smile appeared on his lips.
"I can protect myself."
Rosalie stared at him in silence. Unable to say another word. Because in her previous life, Julian had once said those exact same words. And back then, they had been the last reassurance he ever gave her.