Page 22 of Julian's Curse

Meanwhile, Rose had been falling apart on him too; she had been hospitalized due to a serious fall. Though her recovery was quick, the guilt weighed heavily on him. For a seventy-year-old woman like her, this whole situation had become an overwhelming heartbreak, and this probably contributed to her accident.

He should have anticipated it all and avoided purchasing the luxury yacht company entirely. What had happened to his impeccable judgment in business? He downed another shot of whiskey in absolute frustration.

The unpleasant memory lingered. The flashback of that day consumed him to the point of self-hate. Julian felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he processed Tarnakis’s cryptic warning. He paced the small, dimly lit room, the weight of uncertainty heavy on his shoulders. If Oliver couldn’t find anything soon, they were running out of time. At night, all he could think about was that the girl that he loved was in the arms of another man. She now considered him selfish, a label that pierced his heart.

“Stay strong, don’t respond to any of her messages,” Oliver had cautioned him. “The more attention you give Shannon, the safer she’ll be.” Julian recognized the truth in those words. His only option was to keep his distance.

Even though he already had antidepressants, it still felt that the depression of recent weeks would now swallow him whole.And Jazmin brought an instant solution. “Just once, try it” she whispered, her full lips inviting him to hell. They weren’t real, but he didn’t care. She wrapped them around his erection, once he agreed to snort the coke up his nose. It was an exhilarating experience, and for once, he was no longer aware of the excruciating pain. Though the whole time, he couldn’t bring himself to look at her face because it felt as if her features had somehow morphed into Lucie’s. Except the sensation wasn’t the same. Jazmin’s tongue flicked out like a snake’s. It wasn’t as generous and loving as Lucie’s. It was possessive, lustful, and emotionless. He suddenly wanted to throw up at the choice to even do this.

“Please leave,” he exclaimed unable to finish. His voice turned icy and commanding, but now, fueled by drugs coursing through his veins, it cut through the air with an angry, razor-like edge. “Here,” he gave her $20,000 in cash from his money drawer. “Please sign the paperwork with my secretary before you leave.”

“Julian, you’re not paying me for the blowjob, are you?” She puckered her eyebrows.

More like a half-blowjob.

Thanks to Botox, the result was a stark contrast between the rigidity of her forehead and the softness of her eyes, creating an almost eerie impression that left her features frozen in a state of heightened alertness. She scorned his inability to come.

“No, I’m paying you not to tell Shannon.” He cradled her face in his hands, trying to be gentle because she was still a woman. The last thing he’d intended to make her feel like a prostitute. Nobody could know that Shannon was an undercover agent, even though it didn’t seem to matter as much anymore. His reputation as a womanizer would only continue to protect Lucie.

Jazmin, offended but still accepting the money, gathered her things. “I’ll see you next time. When you need more,” she gave him a sassy smile, slamming the door behind her.

He never again took her up on the offer, but he’d found other ways to satisfy his new habit.

Everything swam back into focus. He suddenly felt an all-consuming familiar tug, to have cocaine again. Already so fast? These days, it seemed like it was never enough. It had started only with a couple of grams. Now he was bleeding from his nose and his account. Money used to hold more value, that’s how he knew he’d fallen to the bottom of a pit.

The silver lining? In a twisted way, he felt closer to his mom. She had battled addictions, often prioritizing them over him, but now he understood the allure they held. Maybe, after all, she didn’t die because of him like he’d always thought. She died in spite of him. Strangely, this provided a blanket of comfort. Was he doomed to follow her path?

And there was an added benefit: it transformed him into the person he’d always wanted to be—someone impervious to the past altogether. It fit his brain like a well-made glove. Could he tell Lucie that he felt more like himself than ever? Heartless? No, still he wasn’t completely heartless. For her, he’d go to the end of the earth and that was part of the problem.

Now he was meant to refer to Lucie as his wife, and he had everything that he’d ever wished. He reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out a small plastic bag, a gesture that brought him a strange sense of calm. With greed, he laid its contents out on the ornate table before him. The rush of it, as the powder traveled up his nostrils, into his receptors, was unlike anything he’d ever known. This would be the last time, he promised himself. He’d do it for her. The shaking stopped. The bubbling anger subsided. But for the opening day, he could face the public in a way that finally worked for him, alongside the devil.

Trouble in Paradise.I walked past the newsstand, trying to ignore the unflattering headline. Reporters already questioned my absence from the festivities, even though my relationship with Julian was better than ever. I’d left my engagement ring in the safe at home, my finger now bare. But I didn’t need to have it on me to know we were solid as a couple.

Baby, I miss you too, Julian texted back, likely already at his hotel in Dubai.

I grinned as if it were our first week in love.How are you feeling before the grand opening?

Amazing, except I wish you could be by my side. How is work?He asked caringly.

Insane, as you’d expect. But I’ve submitted my MBA application, so now I am waiting to find out if they accept me.I could be especially productive when I was alone in our three-story apartment.

I hope you end up doing all your homework naked. He teased.That’s the one way I will survive this degree.

I may have to resort to it. I flirted back.I won’t have time to get dressed if I keep going at this pace. Working seventy-hour weeks had become the norm, and that wasn’t even with school yet.

I am proud of you. He texted again.Are you being careful?

Definitely! Plus the girls have been nudging me about wedding planning, so both Sophie and Valentina have penciled in visits while you’re gone. You don’t need to worry, Julian. Will is on my back 24/7. Our apartment complex feels like a fortress too.

Have you already had the time to check out dresses?He nudged.

This made me a bit nervous. I knew I needed a stunning dress, but spending $1,000 right now felt excessive. Usually, parents covered the bride’s expenses, if not the entire ceremony. I decided to set that concern aside for now.Not yet, Julian.To ease some of the stress, I blew out a breath, puffing my cheeks like a pufferfish.

Whatever you need, talk to Rose. She’ll help coordinate. His ability to read my mind was one of his sweetest talents.

I knew it was a subtle offer to pay for it all. I could maybe accept it given his financials, but it still felt inappropriate for the groom to be footing the bill. It didn’t seem like good luck either. I also needed to buy Julian a ring. It had to be special, maybe with an engraving, and worth someone like him.

Thanks, baby,I mustered a smile. This was supposed to be a joyous time. It would all work out somehow.

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