Chapter 864

Julian Blackwood lifted his fork and meticulously sliced into the medium-rare steak before him. The knife scraped against the porcelain plate with deliberate precision.

"We'll talk after we eat," he stated coolly, his voice smooth as aged whiskey.

Rosalind Fairchild scoffed, her fingers tightening around her wineglass. "What do you even want from me? With your wealth and influence, you could have any woman in the city. Why are you so obsessed with tormenting me? Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for me."

Julian paused mid-cut, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "What if I have?"

Rosalind’s lips curled in disdain. "Do you even understand what love is? You claimed to love me, yet you betrayed me without hesitation."

"I ended things with Arabella," Julian countered, his voice edged with impatience. "Can’t you move past this?"

"Once a cheater, always a cheater!" Rosalind snapped. "You don’t love me. You’re just jealous that I’m with Lucian now. Let’s be honest—men like you can’t stand rejection. The idea that a woman might not want you? Unbearable. That’s not love—it’s just your bruised ego screaming for validation."

Julian’s grip on the knife tightened. "You’re wrong. I do love you."

"Enough!" Rosalind’s voice was sharp as shattered glass. "Even if you did, your version of love is toxic. If you can’t possess something, you’d rather ruin it. That’s not love—it’s obsession. And I want no part of it."

A flush of anger darkened Julian’s features. His jaw clenched as he glared at her.

"You’re right. With my power, I could have any woman I desire. So why do you insist on provoking me?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Yes, I cheated. But don’t act like you’re innocent. You gave yourself to Lucian—your first time—without a second thought."

Rosalind’s eyes flashed. "Lucian and I are in love. What we do is none of your business. You and I? We were never even a real couple. It was over before it began."

Julian leaned forward, his gaze turning predatory. "Are you trying to make me lose control?"

"I’m not here to play games," Rosalind shot back. "I just want to know what happened to Lucian. Tell me."

"Lucian, Lucian, Lucian," Julian mocked, his voice dripping with venom. "Is that all you care about? Do you love him that much?"

Rosalind didn’t hesitate. "Yes. I do."

Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating.

Julian exhaled sharply, his fingers drumming against the table. Then, as if struck by sudden amusement, his lips curved into a smirk. He glanced toward the restaurant’s grand windows—just in time to see a sleek black luxury car pull up outside.

His mood shifted instantly.

"You want to know about Lucian?" Julian murmured, his tone deceptively light. "Fine. I’ll tell you."

Rosalind straightened. "I’m listening."

Julian speared a small piece of steak and lifted it toward her lips. "Open up."

Rosalind recoiled. "What are you doing?"

His smile was all charm, but his eyes remained cold. "Take a bite. If you do, I’ll tell you everything."

Rosalind froze.

At that exact moment, the restaurant doors swung open.

Lucian Graves strode inside, his presence commanding immediate attention. A waiter hurried forward.

"Good afternoon, sir. Table for one?"

Lucian ignored him. His sharp gaze swept across the dining room—until it landed on the couple by the window.

There they were.

Rosalind. Julian.

Julian holding a fork to her lips, Rosalind hesitating—but from this angle, it looked intimate. Romantic. Like lovers sharing a tender moment.

Lucian’s expression darkened.