Chapter 2

I searched online for a private investigator, frantic.

I had to know what he'd done behind my back.

"Julian Thorne?" the voice on the other end chuckled. "Too hot to handle!

"And your family, the Vances? Also way too hot to handle. I'll give you an address. Consider it...an apology gift."

Even he knew?

I desperately wanted to throw that lingerie in Julian's face and confront him!

But reason told me he'd have a hundred excuses.

I decided to go to that address and see for myself first.

I had just disposed of the lingerie.

Julian appeared in the doorway.

"Alexa, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

I turned my back to him, pouring tea, so he wouldn't see the fury on my face.

"Nothing. It's handled."

He let out a sigh of relief, then asked, "Mrs. Jenkins mentioned a strange package?"

My grip on the teacup tightened.

"Seraphina? Never heard of them. Must've been a mistake, so I just tossed it. Should I try to retrieve it?"

He managed a weak smile.

"No, that's alright."

That night, he held me from behind. His hand stroked my skin, his breathing turning urgent.

But I kept staring at the pale outline on the wall. Images flashed- the model, the nudes, the lingerie...

"I'm tired."

Julian stilled. Then his touch withdrew, and he turned his back to me.

A long silence stretched before he spoke again.

"I have a business trip tomorrow. A week. Take care of yourself."

"Okay."

The next day, I timed it perfectly and drove to the address the detective had given me.

At the alley entrance, I asked a lady for directions.

She frowned.

"Oh, those two!

"They just mess around all day, running an art shop that never seems to get any business, but they don't care.

"Always all over each other, hugging and kissing, then disappearing into the back. Who knows what they're up to. It's scandalous!"

My feet felt like they were cast in lead as I trudged deeper into the alley.

From a distance, I saw Julian sitting under a tree, fiddling with his paintbrushes.

His hair was loose, swaying in front of his eyes, and the top two buttons of his oversized shirt were undone.

He was a completely different person from the Julian I knew.

I realized, this was Julian Blake, the artist!

Just as I was lost in thought, a woman emerged from the shop.