The clinking of silverware was the only sound that filled the spacious dining room. Rose sat opposite Julian, her eyes occasionally flickering up to him as she quietly chewed. To her surprise, the food was... good. Really good. For someone who had already had dinner—though it was cut short—she found herself hungrily cleaning off her plate.
Julian, as unreadable as ever, said nothing. His expression was as blank as the white porcelain plate before him. Just... eating. Like this was normal. Like he hadn't just abducted her from a restaurant.
When Rose was full, she gently placed her fork down, letting out a soft sigh. Julian mirrored her not long after. She stood, reaching to gather the plates, but before she could touch them, his hands were already there—swift and smooth. He gathered both dishes and carried them to the counter.
Rose trailed behind him, puzzled. Why is this man like this?
As he turned slightly to wash the dishes, a glimpse of his back caught her eye. Her breath hitched.
There, inked boldly across his skin, was a tattoo.
A black crown wrapped in thorny vines. Beneath it, a howling wolf, its mouth open in a silent scream. Behind the crown, two crossed daggers. Under the wolf, a Latin phrase: Sanguine.
Framed in crimson and gray shadows—it wasn't just a tattoo. It was a symbol. A story. A warning.
Rose stared, entranced, a chill creeping up her spine. What kind of man carries something like that on his back?
But then time returned to her all at once, and she glanced at the clock. Her heart dropped.
It was late. Too late.
She rushed back into the room, rummaging around for her phone. Nothing. Just her dress. That's when it hit her—her purse and phone were still at the restaurant. Panic bloomed in her chest.
She changed quickly and bolted to the door. Locked.
Jaw tightening, she stormed back into the kitchen.
"Why is the door locked?" she demanded.
Julian didn't turn. Didn't speak.
"It's getting really late!" she pressed, more desperate now. "My brother—he's going to freak out!"
Finally, Julian turned to her, his voice as calm and cold as frost.
"It is late. Exactly why you should stay."
Rose's eyes widened. "This is kidnapping!" she screamed. "You brought me here without my permission!"
"If this were kidnapping," Julian said smoothly, "you wouldn't be sitting across from me enjoying a delicate meal."
Then, just like that, he turned and walked away.
Fuming, Rose chased after him, voice raised, hurling angry words at his back. "You're unbelievable! Open the damn door! You can't keep me here like some—!"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Right in front of her, Julian tugged down his pants and calmly changed into nightwear.
"Seriously?!" she yelped, spinning around to face the wall. "Couldn't you do that in private?! I'm right here!"
Silence.
A soft thud followed as Julian flopped onto the bed.
Rose turned, jaw clenched, storming up to him. "I'm not sleeping here while my brother is worried sick! You can't just ignore me! Daniel won't sleep tonight! He'll think something happened to me!"
Julian remained unfazed, eyes closed.
"I need sleep. If you don't, do something else. Just... don't disturb me."
She clenched her fists. "LET ME GO HOME!"
He opened one eye, voice low. "You said it yourself—it's late."
Rose shook her head, fury and helplessness swirling in her chest. "Why are you doing this to me?! I just want to go home! My brother won't sleep if I don't call or come back and I can't, because I left my phone at the restaurant! Why are you acting like my father?!"
The words came out faster than she intended, and as soon as they did, she froze.
Julian slowly sat up. "...Father?"
Rose's eyes watered. She didn't know why she was crying. Or maybe she did. The floodgates opened.
"You don't know anything about me," she whispered. "Why would you want to keep me here? You know nothing—nothing about my past... my family... why I left..."
Her voice cracked. Her thoughts spiraled.
Julian didn't interrupt. Didn't blink.
"I do know," he said quietly. "I know you're Rose Moreau. Daughter of Dominic and late Katherine Moreau. You have three siblings, but it's Daniel you're closest to. Your father remarried a month after your mother passed. Olivia. That's her name. You left the Moreau mansion within that month. You were homeschooled most of your life but went to a private high school for the first time to learn among others. I know far more than you think."
Rose was stunned. Her lips trembled. "That... that guy—Bullet—he said he couldn't access anything. Said I am hidden. So how do you know all that?"
Julian's voice was smooth as ever. "Indeed. No one can access your records. But I'm not 'no one.' I can. And I did."
"For you to know how," he added, "doesn't matter."
He stepped into the kitchen and poured a glass of water, returning to hand it to her. Rose blinked at him in disbelief, then took the water. He stood there awkwardly, unsure what to say next, then gently led her toward the bathroom so she could wash her face.
Before leaving, he tossed her his shirt—the same one she'd worn earlier.
She raised a brow. "Seriously?"
He said nothing and softly closed the bathroom door.
After a while, Rose stepped out, her frame smaller inside his oversized shirt. She stood there awkwardly, like a kid asking for permission.
"Can I use your phone? Just... to call home?" she asked, voice softer now.
Julian handed it to her without hesitation.
She dialed Daniel immediately. "Hello? Danny—it's me," she said quickly. "I'm okay. I'm safe. I'm with... Julian."
There was silence on the other end. Then a flood of questions.
Who? Where? What's happening? Did he hurt you? Where are you?
Rose sighed and cut the call short. She said what mattered.
She handed the phone back, her eyes still on the screen like she could reach through it.
Julian took the phone, not saying a word. But he'd seen the way she pleaded. He'd heard the panic in her voice when she spoke of her brother.
Daniel was protective. Julian respected that. Even if it annoyed him.
Rose sank onto the bed, finally still.
She didn't say another word.
Neither did he.
But somehow, the silence said everything.