From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 161

The man approached her through the twilight, closing the distance.

Click—

Acting on a sudden impulse, she pressed the shutter button.

The man in the charcoal trench coat was frozen forever on her screen.

As his footsteps stopped beside her, Jade looked up to see pink flowers thrust into her view.

"This morning didn't count," Julian said softly. "This is our official greeting."

Jade took the bouquet, her heart softening as she looked at the dewy petals.

"They're beautiful," she whispered, her gaze meeting his.

Julian had picked them out himself and wrapped them under a florist's guidance.

He had been unusually nervous while carrying them to her.

Hearing her praise them, the tension in his shoulders finally melted away.

"Then they were worth every penny."

Jade's smile faltered when she noticed his arm was missing the cast, her brow furrowing.

"You said it would be days. Where is the cast?"

"I went to the hospital. The doctor said it could come off," Julian lied, watching her worry.

"You frowned the second you saw me this morning. I didn't want to see that again."

He trailed off, looking away before he could finish the thought.

"You're unbelievable," Jade let out a helpless laugh, her cheeks heating up.

"You should be worrying about your injury, not my facial expressions."

Julian shrugged it off as if it were nothing more than a scratch.

"It's just a minor thing."

Jade held the flowers close as they walked along the leaf-strewn path together.

"I thought your grandfather was furious?"

Julian stayed half a step behind her, watching over her.

"He's old. He saw me hurt and overreacted. I'm really fine."

The truth was much more complicated than he let on.

His grandfather had nearly stormed the Walter mansion until Julian stopped him.

He knew Hudson's cruelty was directed at him because of Jade.

Helping her was a choice he made gladly, regardless of the cost.

He didn't care about his own scars; he only feared the Walters would target her next.

Jade wasn't naive; she knew exactly what he was risking for her.

She looked down, her fingers nervously plucking at the floral wrapping.

"You don't have to do this. Really. I told you, you don't owe me this..."

Julian suddenly stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop.

Jade nearly bumped into him and looked up in confusion.

Their eyes met, and the darkness in his gaze melted into a profound softness.

"And I told you, this is my choice. Don't carry it as a burden."

"I lived here with my mother for a while when I was a kid," Julian explained.

Jade nodded slowly, processing the information.

"I see..."

Julian's voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

"After she died, I was taken to Harbor City. I was the unloved bastard, nearly killed by my stepmother and her son. It was only when my grandfather found out that he took me in."

"I'm so sorry," Jade gasped, her face filled with instant regret.

"I didn't know—"

"It's okay," Julian said with a small smile.

"It's all in the past now. At least my grandfather loves me."

"He seems like a very kind man." Jade smiled, then stopped, her gaze fixing on his hair.

"You have a bit of grass in your hair."

Julian reached up and felt around blindly.

"Did I get it?"

"No."

"Now?"

"Still there."

"Forget it, let me help you."

Jade stood on her tiptoes and gently plucked the bit of grass from his head.