Chapter 462

Julien watched as Helen descended the stairs, step by step, the distance between them shrinking. She could feel his gaze intensify, breaking past the safe boundaries she had tried to maintain. When she reached the railing and stood just a few steps away from him, she stopped. "Goodbye, Julien," she said hastily, then hurried down the rest of the stairs. Julien suddenly called out to her, "What's your name?" She froze. He didn't even know her name. "M-Me?" she stuttered. "Who else?" "I… I'm Helen Sanders." Julien's eyes lingered on her. "You don't look well. Are you feeling sick?" "A little…" "Fever?" Helen nodded slightly. "Have you seen a doctor?" "Not yet…" "Go see one. Don't drag it out." The words were simple and direct, but they felt like fireworks bursting in Helen's chest, dazzling and overwhelming. Her emotions surged, and her heart seemed to come alive. "Thank you, Julien," she said softly. "I won't be at the gym tomorrow," Julien added nonchalantly. If he wouldn