Ache for your love

eful,

rough the chaos of the bar, her hand reaching for the bottle in Julian's

he call. "What? Where did they take him?" Alicia's voice was tight with anxie

voice steadying as she grabbed her bag from

anor changed, and Julian knew instinctively that something had happened to

here. Something's happened to Fred,"

ll be fine here. I'm just going to finish this drink," she replied, waving the bottle dismissively. "I've

k it's safe to leave you here alone? What if you stumble into someone else's room? You could end up any

ise," Julian urged, taking another swig from the

t please... take care of yourself," she finally said, her voice softening. With a la

d up to look for her room, this was Christmas period the hotel w

my room number again?" she mumbled to herself, squinting at the numbers on the wall. "Room

e clearly. Panic surged, but the fog of alcohol dulled her instincts. She felt lips on her skin, a whisper of a voice tha

esire and fear. She fought to push him away, but he was too strong, his grip unyieldi

succumbed to the kisses, each one more passionate than the last, drowning ou

sea washed over her as the memories of the night before came flooding back, yet the face of the man who had held her wa

ght pressed heavily on her conscience, a burden she wasn't ready to face. Just as she

aid, attempting to pull her into a hug. She instinctive

noticed the red lips stick mark on his cloth, setting down the plate she had been holding. M

tly," he said, emphasizing the last word as he noticed something

tone. "Julian would never cheat on me. This can't be happening," h

led back, trying to regain

n are we going?" he asked, his voice trail

came out sharper than intended. "I don't think there's any ne

aning behind her words. His expression turned to shock when he opened t

ant to throw away four years of our lives together?" His voice was a

her voice rising with the intensity of her emotions. "Oh, I forgot! Do I look like Olivia, the w

slap that silenced her. "Julian, watch your mouth! You see these papers

it all, something shifted in her. As she watched him walk away, she whi

th, but Julian felt a flicker of determination