Chapter 22

Julian finally mustered the courage and shouted hoarsely, almost breaking into tears, toward Trina's window. "Trin… Trin, just open the window and hear me out—just one sentence! "Come back with me… please? Let's start over… I'll give up everything—my rank, my position, my future… I just want you… Trin…" His voice carried clearly through the silent, rainy night, tinged with a deep, almost crushing humility. He had thrown away nearly every ounce of pride a man could let go of. Upstairs, the window remained motionless. The warm light in her window still glowed, yet it couldn't illuminate the cold darkness that surrounded Julian. After a while, the window slammed shut from the inside with a sharp click, and the heavy curtains were drawn, cutting off both his view and the last faint thread of hope he had left. Julian stood below like a statue, soaked through by the rain and utterly hopeless, his head tilted back. He fixed his gaze on the window, completely motionless. The rain blu