Chapter 788

Julian's apartment. As soon as he walked in, Julian slumped down onto the couch, feeling that familiar wave of emptiness wash over him. His eyes drifted around the room, lingering aimlessly. Ever since Hannah Grant had left, he hadn't even brought himself to throw away the cat tree. The little cat villa still sat there, untouched. But the cat was gone, and so was she. He'd gone on a few blind dates, even tried chatting with a business partner's daughter, but honestly, none of it clicked. Maybe he really was cut out for growing old alone. Aiden and Nicholas always said he was too stubborn, too self-centered. As the oldest in the family, he'd always felt like it was his job to keep everything together. Growing up without a solid family foundation had only made him more fiercely protective. His siblings. His mom. He'd poured everything into keeping them safe, into being strong enough to shelter them. But in doing all of that, he'd kinda forgotten about himself. He never thought he'd fall