She softly soothed Julian.
Then, without a change in expression, she ordered her men to clean up the blood on the floor.
Finally, she turned her gaze to me.
“Shannon, I can’t believe you still haven’t given up on Julian.”
“The moment you heard he was getting married, you couldn’t wait to rush back.”
“What, still fantasizing about marrying him and continuing to be the Vaughn family princess?”
“Let me tell you, it’s impossible. From beginning to end, I am the only one Julian has ever loved!”
I looked at her without a word.
But in my mind, countless memories came flooding back.
My meeting with Julian was an accident.
The day we first met was a bitterly cold winter day.
He was being chased by loan sharks and collapsed, covered in wounds, in front of my car.
I looked into his untamed eyes and said to my father.
“Papa, give me a stray dog.”
My father laughed and agreed, bringing Julian home.
That was the first life he owed me.
Without me, even if he hadn't been beaten to death, he would have frozen to death that winter.
When Julian first came to the Vaughn estate, he was like a startled wild beast.
He didn’t even dare to raise his head when he saw me.
He would only mumble, “Young Miss.”
My father had many soldati under him.
But among them all, Julian was the most handsome and the most stubborn.
From a young age, I loved to tease him.
I loved kicking my high heels at him, ordering him to kneel and put them on for me.
I loved seeing the look of restrained endurance in his eyes.
I loved how he'd act indifferent to me, yet obey me absolutely.
He never tried to please me, but he would carry out my commands to perfection.
Those puppy-like eyes always managed to please me.
Back then, no one paid him any mind.
They just thought of him as my personal plaything.
But gradually, Julian revealed his astonishing talent.
He killed for my father, expanded the family’s territory.
Step by step, he became my father's Underboss.
Before my father passed away, he became my Uncle Julian.
After my father was gone, Julian honored his last wish and took care of me.
For eight years, he spoiled me to the heavens.
For me, he would walk through fire and climb mountains of knives.
Our relationship gradually spun out of control.
Every corner of the old estate held traces of our passionate entanglements.
I liked to leave bite marks on his skin, claiming my ownership.
He, in turn, would respond to my provocations with rough kisses and possession.
Back then, I had fantasized about forever.
I thought I would keep that mad dog, Julian, chained to my side for a lifetime.
It was a pity that our youthful love...
...came to such a tragic end.
Julian killed my mother.
