Chapter 6 Julian woke up in the top-floor suite of his family's private hospital. Not the ceiling he expected-just a cold IV stand and needle marks dotting his arm. His whole body felt hollow, like even his bones remembered what he'd lost. While he'd been out, Aster Corp had nearly flatlined. "You're awake." Henrietta sat beside him, voice rough, face aged like she'd fast-forwarded a decade overnight. No small talk. She slammed a stack of papers on the table. "Aster Corp's been crashing five days straight. Our top three projects? On ice. Every partner's bailing. The family's done. And it's all on you." The door flew open. Isabella swept in, decked out in a crisp white Chanel dress, Hermès bag swinging. She spotted him and lit up like she'd just won something. "Julian! You're awake! Oh my God, I was so scared!" She rushed to the bed. "Stop." His voice was raspy but solid. Isabella froze. Julian didn't even look her way, eyes stuck on the ceiling. "Isabella," he said slowly, "how exactly did you save me eight years ago?" Her face flickered-caught off guard-but she recovered fast, laying on the hurt. "Why would you say that? It was the family's ancient magic. I prayed nonstop for seven days-" "That so?" He finally turned his head. Blank expression. "Then why did the scent in that room match the one from when Sera's tree burned?" She paled. Mouth opened. Nothing came out. "My body's done," Julian said. "Only way out is to find whoever saved me back then-and get her to do it again." His eyes locked on her. "So, Isabella. Can you?" "I... I..." She stumbled back, totally unraveling. "Julian, the magic-it only works once! Just once!" "Enough." Julian shut his eyes. He looked wrecked-and done. He never wanted to see that fake smile again. 1/2 Chapter 8 +15 Bonus He grabbed his phone. "Tell everyone-Aster Corp's going all-in on the Duvalls. I want their company gone in twenty-four hours. Bankrupt." He didn't pause. "Put out a press release. My name on it. Say Isabella faked being my savior. List every perk she scored from that lie. I want her dragged out of the clouds and face-first into the dirt." Isabella screamed. "Julian! You can't do this! I did it all because I love you!" Love? Just thinking about what he'd done to Sera for that fake love made his chest cave in. He'd burned the Heartwood, trashed her with cruel words, even had her blood drained. And she-through all of it-never lifted a hand against him. 'My biggest regret... was believing in that little knight who swore he'd protect me.' Her last words played on loop, each one squeezing tighter than the last. Julian crumpled onto the bed, a broken sob slipping out- Then it twisted into a low, cracked laugh. His bloodshot eyes snapped to the corner, locking on Isabella where she shrank in fear. "Bodyguards! Dr. Wells! Get in here!" he yelled. The door slammed open. They rushed in. Julian's eyes locked on Dr. Wells. "Didn't you say fresh blood could slow the decline? Didn't you say she's a perfect match?" He pointed straight at Isabella, voice flat and dead inside. "Hold her down. If she's my savior, let her save me again-with her blood." Isabella screamed, thrashing like a wild thing. "No! Julian, you're insane! Let me go! Don't touch me!" The bodyguards didn't blink. They slammed her to the floor. Dr. Wells grabbed the same device he'd used on Sera-quietly prepping for the transfusion. Support Share