Chapter 5: The Perfect Chance to Run
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The next morning, the smell of warm oatmeal drifted into the room, pulling me out of sleep.
Julian was already up and dressed, sitting by the bed with a steaming bowl of oatmeal waiting for me.
He saw me stir, smiled, and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my lips.
“Good morning, Emmeline.”
“Good morning, Julian.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back.
For the past year, every day had started just like this.
Once, Mrs. Mitchell from next door stopped by with a pound cake and caught Julian helping me get dressed. After that, the whole neighborhood joked that he was hopelessly in love with me, and everyone said I’d struck gold with a husband so devoted.
He wasn’t just handsome—he was attentive, too. The kind of man people dreamed about.
Still, I couldn’t help wondering—would he treat Charlotte Evans the same way, once he met her?
I spent the morning lost in my own thoughts, worry gnawing at me.
After I’d washed up and finished breakfast, Julian noticed I was distracted. He reached over and wiped a bit of oatmeal from the corner of my mouth.
“Are you still thinking about last night?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t know you had family—you never told me.”
Julian sighed, sounding almost apologetic. “It’s complicated. I’ll explain everything once we’re back in Boston.”
“Don’t be mad, okay?” Seeing my sulky expression, Julian pulled me into his lap. “Emmeline?”
I answered quietly, “You kept it from me all this time…”
He started to respond, but suddenly—a sharp crack split the air. An arrow slammed into the window frame, making me jump out of my skin.
For a split second, I thought someone dangerous had found us—maybe someone from Julian’s past, or an enemy I didn’t know about. But then I noticed a letter tied to the arrow.
Julian untied it, reading fast. His face darkened.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
He nodded. “My mother’s sick. I have to get back to Boston immediately. Emmeline, I’m leaving the security team here for you. Stay put until I return.”
A flicker of hope sparked in my mind. Instantly, I started to hatch a plan.
“Julian, if you leave…are you really coming back?”
I clung to his waist, doing my best to look as forlorn as possible.
Julian kissed my forehead, his voice gentle. “Don’t let your imagination run wild. I’ll come back for you as soon as I can.”
“Okay.”
I pressed my face to his chest, soaking in his warmth, knowing this might be the last time.
Julian left, but not before assigning several guards to watch over me.










