Chapter l280

Chapter 0280

Waking up in bed alone, with Nicholas nowhere in sight, I felt rejected.

I adamantly fought against the feeling, telling myself everything was fine, Nicholas was a very important and busy man. But the hurt was persistent, rooted deep within me.

Worse, I was now also humiliated. It was early, but still late enough for the serv ants and other candidates to begin to rouse and wander the halls. I had none of my own clothes, only Nichola s’s pajamas or Julian’s jacket.

I kept on the pajamas, but pulled the jacket into my arms to return to Julian later.

Then, with my cheeks burning red, I began the long trek back to my room. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, so I checked around corners and hid in alcoves to avoid all people.

I was nearly caught once, by a pair of serv ants dusting the picture frames along the hallway, but I ducked into a dark closet until they moved past.

Then, mortified, I rushed the rest of the way. The guards lifted a brow as they asked the identifying question, but they didn’t say a word when I answered correctly. They merely stepped aside.

I exhaled a loud, heavy breath. Finally I was safe.

Was what I thought…

Until I saw Piper standing in the middle of my bedroom. 4

“Where’s Elva?” I asked.

“The Nanny and a guard took her down to breakfast.” Julian glanced at my attire. A mischievous smirk tugged at his l*ps. “Long night, Piper?”

I looked down at myself. My blush spread down my n*eck and over my chest, disappearing under the top of the pajamas.

“I slept well,” I said.

“I bet you did,” Julian said. “Those princely pajamas look rather comfortable.”

I tugged at the cuff of one sleeve. “They are.’

“That’s good.” He sauntered closer. “Is that my jacket?”

“Oh, yes.” I held it out for him. Was this why he had come by room? To reclaim his jacket?

He didn’t reach for the jacket right away. Instead, he just stared at me, but I couldn’t quite discern the look in his eyes. There was an edge to his playfulness.

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“Maybe you’d be happier if it was Nichola s’s jacket,” he said.

I blinked.

He looked away. “Never mind. Sorry.” He grabbed the jacket.

“Julian…?”

“I’m glad you are okay, Piper.”

Oh. So that was why he was here. Under the jealous and the teasing, he had just been worried about me.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, and sidestepped me.

“Julian, wait.”

He stilled.

I walked up to him, put my arms over his shoulders, and pulled him into a hug.

I hadn’t forgotten his part in saving me last night.

His gift was the only reason I had been found in time. His skill at picking locks had freed me from those terrible handcuffs. His jacket had protected me from watchful eyes. And his levelheadedness had helped snap Nicholas back to the present enough to take me home.

“Thank you, Julian. I mean it.”

Slowly, his arms came around my waist and he gently returned the hug.

“Don’t scare Nicholas and I like that again,” he said.

“I didn’t think you could get scared,” I said, teasing lightly.

His arms tightened around me, a reply on its own.

“I’ll need another n*ecklace,” I said: “Terry destroyed the last one.”

“I’ll gift you a hundred of them.”

After another quick squeeze, Julian pulled back, ending our hug. He winked at me. “Better get dressed, Piper. If people see you like that, they might make assumptions.” 2

I rolled my eyes. “Get out of here.”

He laughed all the way through the door.

When he was gone, I hurried to change clothes.

Down at breakfast, I was reunited with Elva.

2/3

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“Mommy!” she cried and rushed into my waiting arms, abandoning her chair and her half- caten waffle.

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