Julian's arms trembled slightly as he held her, and then, in a quiet voice that almost melted into the air, he murmured:
"I was worried about you too…"
Ruby's breath caught.
There was something in his tone– something raw, honest, and deeply tender. It wasn't just about Karl Or the long, sleepless night they'd all endured.
It was about her.
Julian had seen her break down in quiet ways no one else did. He had watched her hold the world on her shoulders and still come home smiling. That worry—it had rooted deep in him. And now, standing there, surrounded by silence, he couldn't hold back what he felt.
His eyes fell on her neck, on the soft, delicate curve of her skin. The pale light of the room cast a gentle glow over her, and for a moment, he hesitated.
No… don't.
