CHAPTER 019 OLIVIA'S POV I got to the dining room and saw Julian already having breakfast . His eyes landed on me , and I gave him a small smile . " You're finally awake . Come join me ," he said , gesturing toward the chair beside him . I nodded and took a seat next to him as one of the maids promptly placed a plate of food in front of me - bread , eggs , and bacon . The aroma alone made my stomach grumble . " How's your arm ? " I asked , glancing at the bandage wrapped around it . Julian looked at his injured arm , flexing his fingers slightly before giving me a reassuring nod . " It's getting better . " I was relieved to hear that . Seeing him bleed like that in my dream had shaken me more than I let on . It wasn't just the sight of him being hurt - it was the realization that , for the first time , my problems were affecting someone else directly . The last thing I wanted was to drag Julian into my mess , but here he was , standing by me regardless . I picked up my fork and took a small bite of the eggs . They were surprisingly well- seasoned and cooked just right . I sipped my coffee , enjoying the warmth as it spread through my body . But just as I was getting comfortable , my stomach suddenly clenched . A wave of nausea washed over me , making my throat tighten . I felt like I was seconds away from vomiting all over the table . I dropped my fork , pressing my palm against my stomach as my face twisted in discomfort . " Are you okay ? " Julian's voice was filled with concern . I didn't answer right away , trying to focus on my breathing . Sensing my distress , Julian quickly turned to one of the maids . " Bring her some warm water . Now . " Within seconds , a maid rushed over with a glass of warm water . I grabbed it with slightly shaky hands and took small sips , letting the warmth settle in my stomach . A quiet burp escaped my lips , and the nausea slowly began to fade . I exhaled , relieved that the discomfort was passing . " Better ? " Julian asked , studying my face . I nodded , placing the empty glass on the table . " Yeah . Just felt like vomiting for a second . " " Was it the food ? " Successfully unlocked ! ' No , the food is great . It just happens sometimes , " I said , though I wasn't convinced myself . This wasn't normal for me . 1/4 CHAPTER 019 Julian gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further . I stared down at my plate , debating whether to take another bite . I didn't want to risk feeling sick again , but my stomach still growled in hunger . Hesitantly , I picked up a piece of bread and took a small , careful bite . This time , the nausea didn't return . After finishing our meal , Julian wiped his mouth with a napkin , and I did the same . I knew this was the perfect time to ask him what had been on my mind since last night . " Do you have a moment ? " I asked , pushing my plate away . " Sure ." We stepped outside and took a stroll through his garden . The fresh air helped clear my mind . " So , what did you want to talk about ? " Julian asked as we walked side by side . I hesitated for a second before speaking . " This is all still new to me . We've been friends for years now , and yet I'm only just finding out about ... all this . " I gestured vaguely toward his estate . " It makes me feel like a horrible friend , honestly . " Julian chuckled , shaking his head . " Like I said yesterday , it's a long story . And you're not a horrible friend . I just never talked about my life much . " " Don't try to make me feel better . The truth is , I never really asked . I was so caught up in my own problems that I barely paid attention to you . " " It's really fine , Liv . It's not like I was dying to share my life story . " " Well , I want to change that . So , make the long story short ," I said , giving him a pointed look . Julian raised an eyebrow , amused . " You sure ? " I nodded . " Yeah . I want to hear everything . Starting with how you have all this . " He exhaled , rubbing the back of his neck . " Alright . Have you ever heard of Zenith Solutions ? " The name sounded familiar . I was never too involved in business matters , but I'd definitely heard Adrian mention it before . " Yeah , I think so , " I said . " Well , my parents own it . " I blinked . " Wait , what ? " Julian nodded . " Yep . " It took me a second to process . " That explains everything . " I laughed , shaking my head . " And here I was , thinking you were just some average Joe " Forgetting about his injury , I playfully punched his arm , only to realize my mistake when he winced in pain . 2/4 CHAPTER 019 " Oh my god , I'm sorry ! " I gasped , covering my mouth . Julian chuckled , brushing off the pain . " It's fine . I've been through worse , remember ? " I gave him a sheepish smile as we continued walking . " So , let me get this straight - your parents are billionaires , yet you drive around in an average car and live like a normal guy ? " Julian shrugged . " From my perspective , I am an average guy . " " What do you mean ? " " Sure , my parents are rich . But their wealth is theirs . They built Zenith Solutions from the ground up . That's their legacy , not mine . " " So , you want to build your own legacy ? " " Exactly , " he said with a nod . " Do your parents know about your decision ? " " Not yet . " " Why not ? " Julian sighed , shoving his hands into his pockets . " It's just ... not the right time . And onestly , I want to be sure before I make that kind of decision . " ilted my head . " You're afraid of how they'll react ? Like ... they might take away the mansion or something ? " He smirked . " Something like that . " I gave him a knowing look . " You wanna hear my opinion ? " " Go ahead . " - " There's no best time to tell them . You could call them right now if you wanted to . If they love you , they'll respect your decision and I highly doubt they'd kick you out or take all this away . " I gestured toward the luxurious estate . Julian was quiet for a moment before sighing . " The thing is ... I'm the only heir to the company . " I blinked , processing his words . " Oh . Well ... that changes a lot of things , " I said jokingly , nudging his side . Julian let out a dry laugh , but I could tell this was something that weighed heavily on him . Then , a thought crossed my mind . " Wait ... what about your sister ?" I asked, remembering what he had said yesterday . Julian's expression shifted slightly , his jaw tightening for a moment before he responded . 3/4