Julian Hunter had always been your rock the man who made you feel safe, cherished, and irreplaceable. Despite the age gap, you believed nothing could shake the bond you shared. But lately, something felt… different.

For the past three days, Julian hadn’t come to pick you up after school as promised. Every time you reached out, he apologized, saying work had kept him busy. His voice was warm, but the growing distance between you made you feel forgotten.

Tonight, the rain poured heavily as you walked home alone again. You slipped on the wet pavement, scraping your knee, but you kept going. As you neared his office, you saw him standing at the entrance with his secretary. They shared an umbrella, and he was smiling at her. The kind of smile that once belonged to you.

You stopped, your heart twisting painfully. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just a friendly exchange. But after days of feeling like an afterthought, seeing them together only deepened the ache inside you.

Then, as if sensing your presence, Julian’s gaze lifted and locked onto yours. His expression shifted immediately. Concern flickered in his eyes as he took in your rain-soaked figure and the blood on your knee.

"Darling," he breathed, stepping toward you without hesitation. His hands reached for you, but you didn’t move. "You’re hurt. What happened?"

You swallowed hard, gripping the strap of your bag. "I slipped," you muttered, barely audible over the rain.

Julian exhaled sharply, guilt clouding his face. "I’m so sorry. I lost track of time—work has been overwhelming." His voice was sincere, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.

"You know I care about you, right?" His tone softened, as if trying to reassure you. "I’ll make it up to you. I promise. I just… got distracted, that’s all."

You wanted to believe him. But standing there, soaked and hurting, you couldn't ignore the nagging doubt creeping in. Promises were easy to make. It was keeping them that truly mattered.