Chapter 2: Five Years of Crushing, One Night of Heartbreak

But I miscalculated. After Julian showed up with that face—seriously, just looking at him could get you pregnant—no one else stood a chance.

After longing for so long, I couldn't help myself. When I heard the Grant family wanted an arranged marriage, I begged my dad to talk to them, promising to help him hide his secret bourbon stash if he pulled it off. To my shock, Julian agreed right away.

So I asked him—out of all the women in Chicago, why me?

Julian just said, "You seem obedient and not troublesome."

So I holed up in my room, scribbling notes on how to be the perfect wife for a year.

At our first official meeting, I shamelessly announced, "I've never even set foot in a bar—I'm way too gentle and innocent for that kind of place."

Julian's lips twitched, but I guess he bought it, because a few days later we tied the knot at the courthouse.

But Julian is the definition of workaholic. Even on our wedding day, he spent it locked in his home office.

I was devastated, curled up in bed like I'd been dumped, bawling into my pillow all night.

After yearning for five years, I thought marriage meant I finally had him, but who knew…

When Julian came back to the bedroom, it was already the next day.

Honestly, I'm just greedy for Julian's body—even if we missed the wedding night, there would be plenty more nights and days.

Except, this guy acted like a chaste monk, dodging me at every turn, even putting a giant body pillow between us.

Seriously, there's only so much a girl can take.

I pounced like a hungry wolf, ready to do this and that to him, just having fun.

Then his assistant called, saying his plane tickets were ready.

Without a hint of regret, Julian grabbed his suitcase and left the country for a project, leaving me home alone for a whole month. He only just got back today.

The silence in the penthouse was crushing. Even Snowball, our chubby rescue cat, seemed to mope around, missing the sound of Julian's keys in the door. I tried not to mope with her, but honestly, it was a losing battle.

"Let's go home."

Hearing Julian's voice, I looked up and obediently turned to leave.

But I remembered something and stopped. Sure enough, when Julian caught sight of my bare back, his face got even darker.

He gritted his teeth. "Mia, didn't I give you a card? Why do you only buy half a dress?"

What does he mean, half a dress? This is fashion, okay? I tugged at my skirt, about to explain that it wasn't just half, but Julian took off his coat and wrapped it around me.

Before we left, I spotted five nosy heads peeking through the VIP room door.

Julian scowled the whole way home. He sat on the sofa, looking all cold and brooding.

I softened my waist and flopped right into his lap.

"Babe, let's snuggle."

"I missed you so much~ Look, I missed you so much I lost weight."

Julian's body stiffened a little, then he shot me a lazy look with those long, sly eyes.

Male seductress!

I zoned out for a second, a little dizzy, until his big hand landed on my waist.

He pinched the soft spot and teased, "Really? How come after a month apart, Mia looks sturdier than before?"

I gritted my teeth.

Excuse me? Sturdy? I only gained three pounds since you left!

But to keep up my act, I didn't dare argue. I just pretended to be sad and snuggled deeper into Julian's arms, reaching out with my wolfish claws.

"Mia."

Julian chided me gently.

I realized I was slipping out of character again. That wouldn't do. Even if I'm a bit of a lech, Julian still hasn't caught on. Gotta keep the goddess act up.

I cleared my throat, straightened my back, and solemnly pinched Julian's muscles, trying to salvage my image.

"Why only a few pieces? Aren't CEOs supposed to have, like, a hundred muscles?"

As I spoke, I counted with my fingers, pressing a little harder each time.

"One, two, three, four... seven... wait, why is one missing? Where'd it go?"

Julian's jaw clenched, his gaze fixed on me.

After a long moment, he finally said, "Get off my lap."

Dang, he's quick.

I awkwardly stood up, catching the faint red at the tips of his ears. My wolf heart skipped a beat.

Julian glanced at me, then silently headed upstairs.