Julian didn’t even look at his mother. Instead, he asked Rachel, “Are you alright? Is Charlotte fine?”
Rachel shook her head.
“You guys go on ahead. I’ll deal with this.” Julian held Rachel’s shoulders and pushed her out of the ward.
If it weren’t for the fact that Sue was Julian’s mother, Rachel would have doubled down on the insults and violence. The moment she got out of the ward, she ran into someone familiar. “I thought you’re on a business trip.” Rachel was surprised.
“Not until tomorrow morning.” Justin answered.
“So everything Sue said earlier…”
“I heard it.”
Since he was acting calm, Rachel thought he was on Sue’s side, and she sneered silently. Guess they’re birds of a feather, huh?
Julian came out a short while later.
Before he could say anything, Sue went past him, looking furious. Apparently, Julian told her something, so she only glared at Rachel and left without a word.
Julian said, “My mother can be annoying sometimes, Rachel. Just ignore her.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” Rachel smiled at Julian. “Thanks for helping me out. I mean it.”
At the side, however, Justin’s face fell.
Julian lifted his wrist and looked at the time. “Why don’t I treat you to a meal? As an apology for my mother’s behavior.”
“No need for that.”
“Sure!”
Justin was the one who said no, but Rachel took the offer.
Justin asked, “Why’d you say yes? Charlotte just got out of hospital. She needs to heal up. What if she gets herself sick again from this?”
Charlotte tugged on his suit pants and blinked at Justin. “But I wanna go, Daddy.”
“I love democracy. It’s decided, then. Come on, Charlotte, let’s go.”
Julian picked Charlotte up and left. “Chop chop, you two.” After he was gone, only Rachel and Justin were left.
Justin looked furious, but Rachel only felt like laughing. “You can’t be jealous, can you, Justin?”
“Are you mad?” Justin stared at her like she was insane.
“So why are you worried? We’re just gonna go have a simple, ordinary meal.”
Veins started popping on Justin’s forehead.
Suddenly, Rachel stood on tiptoe and inched closer to him, their noses almost touching. “You’re nervous, Justin.” She put her hand on his shoulder, and his heart skipped a beat. “And your heart’s beating pretty loudly.” A smile curled her lips, sucking him in. Just as he was immersed in her smile, she patted his shoulder. “I’ll be going, then.”
The sound of her heels bellowed into the corridor, and Justin’s face fell. As he saw her off, he started clenching his fists. She’s playing me like a fiddle.
Charlotte and Rachel were sitting together in the restaurant, while Julian and Justin took up the other side.
Rachel was about to get her drink after it was served, but Julian stopped her. “Hold it.” He tested the temperature and handed it back to the waiter right in front of Rachel. “We don’t want this. Please get us a cup of hot black tea.”
“But I don’t want black tea!” Rachel protested.
However, Julian’s decision was final. “You know you have a bad stomach. Iced coffee is off limits.”
Rachel pouted.
Justin thought that the overly friendly conversation was hurting his ears.
Suddenly, Charlotte looked up. “Mommy, do you have a bad stomach?”
Rachel patted her head. “No, I don’t. Julian is just overreacting.”
Julian answered, “I’m not overreacting. You just don’t care about your body. Charlotte, do you want your mommy to be healthy, or do you want her to suffer from stomach ache all the time?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “I want her to be healthy, of course.” She quickly pushed Rachel’s salad away. “This one is cold as well, so you shouldn’t eat this, Mommy. Have some soup. Great-grandpa told me it’s perfect for people with a bad stomach.”
Julian’s advice apparently worked, since Charlotte spent the whole time keeping an eye on Rachel. She kept asking her mother to have more veggies and soup.
That slightly annoyed Rachel, but she felt touched as well. For so many years, she’d thought Charlotte would be angry at her because of her absence, but instead, the girl cared a lot for her.
Julian said, “Looks like you can listen. Though only to Charlotte, I guess. Not me.”
Rachel shrugged. “Yes, Dr. Peters. This is for all the time I went against the doctor’s orders.”
Justin frowned, and anger flared in his pitch-black eyes.
After they paid the bill, Julian went to the restroom to wash his hands, then Justin came in. “You came back all of a sudden. Should have given us a heads up.”
Julian looked at him. “I have work at the hospital. And my mother’s going to hold a big party if I tell her. Everyone’s going to be dragged into it, so I figured I’d come back in secret.”
“You said you’re busy, but you seem to care about Rachel a lot. Do you have the time for that?”
“It’s been years. I’m used to it.”
Justin couldn’t believe Julian could say that so easily. “…Years?”
“Didn’t Rachel tell you? She’s been living with me overseas all these years. I was the one who cured her condition as well.”
Justin frowned fiercely.
Julian continued, “Oh, and I’ll be working in Riverdale until she leaves.” He wiped his hands dry. “I’ll be going out now.”
Justin clenched his fists. She stayed with Julian when she was overseas? But she never told me about that? What is she trying to do?
Rachel and Charlotte were waiting for the men, but only Julian showed up. “Where’s Justin?”
“He has work to do. Told me to send you two home first.”
Rachel looked at the restroom pensively.
Charlotte complained, “What’s up with Daddy? He’s going on a trip tomorrow, and god knows when he’ll be back. Now you’re telling me he’s working overtime? No wonder he’s still not married at this
age.”
“He’s busy, so it’s understandable.” Julian patted her head. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
“Sure.”
Since Charlotte was still recuperating, she fell asleep in Rachel’s arms on the way home.
Julian looked at them through the rear-view mirror. “Rachel, are you sure you’re going to stay at Justin’s place?”
