Chapter 11:
After Nora left, Dean slowly opened his eyes. He picked up his phone and made a call “Landon, help me check something
Thirteen hours of flying left my whole body stiff and sore. When I pushed my suitcase out past customs, I was completely out of it
“Daphnel
At the arrivals gate, Julian Clark was wearing a simple white T–shirt and jeans, holding a crooked card with “Welcome Ms. Lancaster written, smiling like a fool,
Seven years had passed, but he didn’t seem to have changed at all.
“How did you .. “I had just started to speak when he suddenly shoved a massive bouquet of sunflowers into my arms
“Happy divorce!” he chirped, grabbing my suitcase with sparkling eyes “Starting today, you’re a free bird!”
A sudden emotional wave rose in my chest while holding the flowers
The sunflower petals brushed against my face, tickling slightly and carrying the scent of sunshine.
“Thank you” I whispered, afraid I’d cry if I said it any louder.D
Julian constantly supported and helped me during this time as I mustered the courage to leave Jonathan
Julian had prepared the apartment for me much better than I had imagined!
A spacious living room, bright floor–to–ceiling windows and a fully equipped kitchen.
I stood at the door, feeling a little lost. “This must be expensive, right?”
Although I had sold my old house, my money was dwindling because I didn’t have a job yet!
“Crazy expensive!” Julian exaggeratedly clutched his chest. “It cost me three months‘ salary!”
Then he winked and gave me a puppy–dog look.
*So… have you considered sharing the rent with me? Don’t worry, the rooms are big enough, I’ll take the one on the far right, miles away from you?
He wasn’t wrong. The apartment had three bedrooms. Even with a roommate, we’d have plenty of space to ourselves. !!
“Rent’s split evenly”
Julian cheered and immediately dragged my suitcase inside.
On the third day after settling in, reality came knocking.
“Look for a job? Julian looked up from his computer. “What do you want to do?”
The notebook in front of me was filled with crossed–out career options. “… I don’t know. Seven years as a housewife, I feel like I can’t do anything anymore.”
Julian moved his chair beside me, looking seriously at my notebook. “Who says you can’t do anything? Remember you’ve always been great artist since you were little?1
He pointed to the words “illustrator” that I had crossed out. “Why not give it a try?”
“That was all in the past,” I shook my head. “Who would want an amateur like me now?‘:
“Just try!” Julian suddenly pulled out his phone. “I know a friend who works in an independent comic studio. They’re hiring”
I was about to refuse when my phone suddenly rang
It was a new American number that almost everyone knew except Julian.
But when I picked up the phone, the screen showed an unfamiliar number 8
“Might be a sales call, Julian glanced at it, his expression suddenly changing slightly.
He quickly took my phone and his fingers flew across the screen.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, puzzled X
Julian handed my phone back to me, his smile a little forced, “Nothing, just blocked a few spam numbers for you.”
He thought the call was from Jonathan and was afraid that if I answered, I would be upset again.
He paused. “Right, do you want to look at the information in my friend’s studio?“)
I reached for his phone but accidentally opened his social feed while switching screens.
The latest post was a missing person notice posted by Jonathan, with a picture of our wedding photo attached.
1105 AM C
