Chapter 3 - The Ghost of the Past
At the mention of his late wife, Julian went completely still.
The harshness in his dark eyes melted into deep, suppressed pain and grief. For three years, since the tragedy that took his wife away, Julian’s heart had remained frozen, shut off from the world.
The restaurant fell into a heavy, dramatic silence. Snow drifted against the glass outside as string lights flickered above them.
Julian slowly raised his head, turning his intense gaze directly onto Emily.
Emily felt her chest tighten under his searching stare. She wasn't just a broke waitress in a stained apron—her dark brown eyes held a quiet resilience that reminded Julian of the kindness his family had lost years ago.
Richard, misreading the tense silence, stepped forward aggressively.
"Mr. Mercer, don't listen to the child," Richard insisted sneeringly. "Emily is a thief. Just this morning, money went missing from the register, and I'm sure she—"
Before Richard could finish his lie, Julian stood up to his full height. His gaze cut toward the restaurant owner like a sharpened blade.
"Did I give you permission to speak, Vance?" Julian asked, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper.
Richard froze, his throat clicking as he swallowed hard.
Julian turned back to Emily, stepping closer until he stood right in front of her. He extended his hand toward her wiping cloth, his voice quiet, deep, and commanding.
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"Pack your things, Emily... nobody spends Christmas alone in my city."
👉 What was Richard hiding about the missing money that Emily was framed for?
