Page 55 of Julian's Curse

“No, Lucie. Look, I know you hate me. But in reality, I loved Sophie too.” He frowned. “I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”

“Don’t use past tense to talk about her. Why didn’t you say anything earlier? When we could have done something about it?”

He pressed his lips together, his voice tinged with guilt. “I wasn’t thinking much of it back then. Girls can be mean, but I just figured it would be some harmless gossip online. I really wanted that picture with Julian, and when you refused, I sort of pushed it out of my mind.”

“You’re a snake, Misha. I don’t know what to believe anymore.” I vented my anger at him.

“I know it’s deserved, but I’d love to help to look for her.” He assured me. “I am sorry.”

“What happened between the two of you, anyway?” Sophie had always been too staccato for him, and that was likely because of his general demeanor.

He exhaled sharply as if one way he could remedy the situation was to open up. “When I started working here, the two of us became really close friends,” he explained. “And at one point, I found myself falling for her.”

I wasn’t surprised at all—Sophie was stunning. She was an angel in real life.

“So, I ended up deleting a lot of messages from her online dating profile,” he confessed. “She thinks she missed out on a lot of opportunities. For a while, she thought maybe the guys didn’t like her pictures.”

“Did you know what Jess did with Mark’s profile all along?”

“No, Lucie, pinky promise. It may surprise you, but I’m not that much of a crook. We all saw how happy she was around him.”

“Okay, Misha,” I gave him one last glance. “If you hear anything, please let me and Oliver know. We’ve got to find her soon. Alive.” I couldn’t believe I was emphasizing that.

He nodded. “I tried to get in touch with Jess, to see if she’s still around, but it seems like she’s not responding to anyone fromApogee.” This was just another admission of guilt on Jess’s part. Oliver was on the right track, but what could have possibly happened between the two women?

“Yeah, but we’ve got a lot of people working the case, and I’m sure we’ll find her,” I said, trying to sound confident, hoping my words would somehow make it true. Misha looked utterly devastated, and I couldn’t shake the thought that maybe—justmaybe—he still loved Sophie and that he was honest. For a brief moment, I felt a twinge of sympathy for him. He’d never recognize his own flaws, never take responsibility for them, yet here he was, suffering because of them.

The restof the day flew by. We’d finally set the marketing plan forHart & Quill’snew release into motion, and this time, I had more to contribute than just a blank page. I decided to write a heartfelt message to my readers about Sophie’s disappearance, and as I did, I couldn’t help but shed more tears. What we needed now was for it to go viral, igniting a wave of people joining the search for her. Fortunately, I had the power to give the case the attention it desperately needed.

Baby, how are you feeling?Julian texted midday.

Good, but still no news about Sophie, though. I attached a sad emoji.Are you at work?

Yes, there’s a lot that I need to catch up on, he confirmed, adding a hug emoji.

The two of us had spent the night talking late, also tending to some of his injuries from the fight with James. We’d never gotten around to discussing Jazmin, mostly because I didn’t think I could bring myself to ask about her—not yet, anyway. But with Julian’s past reputation, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d had sex with her, especially when I wasn’t around. I’d always assumed it was Evy who had captured his attention, but the idea of another woman being involved had never crossed my mind.

Whenever Julian returned from a trip, we typically ended up in bed within minutes of being together, but this time we’d held back. We were reconnecting slowly, carefully, while I couldn’tquite bring myself to trust him yet. Even though I had more or less decided against the abortion, the idea of becoming a mother both thrilled and terrified me. Would I have to give up my job? Especially because I did not have family around?

Is it okay if I ask when your next appointment is, Lucie? If you’re comfortable with it, I’d really like to be there, he requested.

Tomorrow, I have to do a blood test. Then the next one is at 10 weeks, I let him know.

Is there anything you need right now?

Only that Oliver finds Sophie. It’s excruciating to miss her this much, Julian. Tears prickled my eyes again.I am a mess.

I have around a hundred people working the case right now, he noted, offering immediate comfort.Mr. Dickens is devastated because he’s worried about her heart condition, on top of any situation she’s in. I’m going to try to spend some time with him today.

These words only poured more salt into the wound, but it was a valid concern.I’m certain Jess is involved. There has to be something in her phone history, I told him.But I’ve already mentioned this to Oliver.

I’ll keep you posted if we get any new clues.In the meantime, please be extra careful, Lucie. He reminded me.

I wondered if I should let the conversation die down, then I decided against it.

Julian?

Yes, Lucie?He reacted almost immediately.

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