Part 2No Blossoms Here

Julian's voice was naturally cool, but when he was coaxing someone, he'd lower it to a warm, deep murmur that blended with the cello music playing in the studio.

I stared down, stirring my coffee, when a child's voice piped up beside me. "Ma'am?"

I turned. The little boy was leaning over the armrest, watching me. He was beautifully cherubic, with a refined, handsome air that was utterly charming. So charming that even knowing whose son he was, I couldn't bring myself to feel any animosity toward him.

"I'll tell you a secret," he whispered, as if sharing something profound. "You look just like my mommy. She's a super famous movie star, you know."

"Then you must look a lot like her."

The boy's eyes lit up. He seemed about to move closer, but a large hand gently pressed down on his head.

Julian ruffled his hair. "Go wait in the car with Uncle Hanson."

I raised an eyebrow and saw the middle-aged man who had been Julian's assistant for years standing behind him. Our eyes met. He looked shocked, with a hint of awkwardness. "...Miss Xu."

I gave a calm nod, my voice tinged with the wistful air of an old reunion. "Mr. Hanson."

Julian scooped the boy into his arms. As he stood, a flash of silver caught my eye. It was the watch on his wrist, a Patek Philippe—a style he never would have chosen back then.

On his long, elegant ring finger was a simple, unadorned band of understated luxury.

In the two years of our marriage, Julian had never worn a wedding ring.

True love was true love, I thought, taking a sip of coffee. Even after all these years, the passion hadn't faded.