Chapter 252

Julien understood why Shelmaine refused his invitation. With everything going on in his life right now, the last thing he wanted was to drag her down with him. She was under enough pressure as it was, with her boyfriend's name all over the tabloids. "Alright. We'll talk about it another time." A quiet pause followed. Shelmaine was clearly distracted, her thoughts elsewhere. How could she explain everything that was going on between her and Samuel? It was a tangled mess that she didn't know how to unravel. After a few more words, they ended the call. The city lights flickered on as night fell, illuminating the streets below. Everyone had left the office, and the space was eerily quiet. Shelmaine stood by the window, staring out at the glowing skyline, lost in thought. ... A few days before New Year's Eve, Shelmaine received a call from Isabelle. Isabelle invited her to spend the holiday at her family's place. Her parents ran a small business and had a cozy home. They were happil