Chapter 250:

Julie’s POV

I gripped his hand tightly, as if clinging to a final lifeline. "I want you to promise me," I said, my eyes pleading, "that you will never leave me."

Robert gave a slight smile, looking down at my hand clutching his. "What’s this?"

"Go on," I insisted. "Promise me."

He looked deep into my eyes, his voice steady and calm. "I promise you, Julie."

I raised an eyebrow defiantly. "If you leave me, I’ll shoot you."

He let out a soft laugh. "Oh, you’ve adapted to the mafia life quite quickly!"

"Yes," I replied, nodding. "And you’re the one who taught me how to use a gun, so watch out."

"I will," he said, patting my hand. "Now, let’s go."

We walked back to the car and got in. All the way back, a strange feeling gnawed at me; my conscience was stinging because I was always lying to him. After everything he shared with me today, the weight of those lies felt heavy on my chest. Robert broke my train of thought. "We’re here. Get out."

I looked at him, puzzled. "And you?"

"I have work," he said flatly.

"What work?" I asked worriedly, scanning his face. "You’re injured!"

"I’m fine," he replied curtly.

I sighed. "Fine. Take care of yourself."

I got out of the car, taking Axel with me, and headed into the club. As soon as I arrived, I felt a surge of restless energy. I wanted to train with Max; I hadn’t exercised in days and my body needed the movement. I rushed to my room to change into gym clothes, but before I could leave, Olivia burst in.

She marched toward me aggressively and suddenly pinned me against the wall. I felt the cold hardness of the stone against my back as she screamed in my face, "What is going on between you and Robert? Answer me!"

"Let go of me!" I snapped, trying to break her grip.

She tightened her hold. "Answer me!"

"Olivia, get away!" I yelled, feeling her hot, angry breath on my skin.

I gathered all my strength and shoved her back with everything I had. She stumbled, regaining her balance with a venomous look. "I knew it... I knew you had your eyes on Robert."

"Olivia, you’re just imagining things," I said, straightening my clothes.

"Stop lying! I know everything; I’m not stupid," she shrieked.

I sighed in exasperation. "Fine, Olivia, what do you want?"

She took a step forward, her voice laced with bitterness. "Everything you said was a lie! You used to say you were disgusted by Robert. What changed now, Julie?"

I looked away. "I don’t want to talk about this."

She let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Do you actually think he loves you?" She continued in a confident tone, "In a short while, you’ll see how quickly he puts you on the shelf of forgotten things."

"You’re delusional," I said coldly.

She shook her head sharply. "I’ve been here for five years, Julie. I know Robert well, and I know his interest in you will end soon."

A tight knot formed in my chest. My heart sank at the thought that her words might hold a grain of truth. Would Robert really leave me? I shouted at her, pointing toward the door, "Get out of my room! I don’t want to hear this nonsense!"

Olivia leaned in, her poisonous breath brushing my face. "When Sara was here, he went to her every day. But after a short while, he got bored of her."

I felt a lump in my throat. Is that what Robert is doing with me? Will he get bored? I tried to steady my gaze and keep my voice strong. "You’re just trying to poison my mind."

She laughed mockously. "Really, Julie? A man like Robert, who owns a club full of women... do you think he’d choose a little child?"

"I am not a child!" I snapped.

She scanned me with contempt. "You are. That virginity of yours was the only thing that set you apart. Now that he’s taken it from you, he’ll toss you aside at the first opportunity."

I had to fake courage despite the trembling deep inside me. "Fine," I challenged her. "I’m okay with that. Do you have a problem, Olivia?" I followed up with a final blow: "Ah... your problem is that in all these five years, Robert hasn’t noticed you once, while you’re dying for a single look from him!"

Rage exploded across her face.

Her skin turned a deep shade of red, and she spoke in a choked voice, "You’ll see, Julie. The time will come when Robert grows sick of you, and you’ll remember my words." She turned toward the door, then gave me one last, freezing look. "He’ll put you back in your proper place, Julie... Robert will sell you soon."

The moment she left, my pride crumbled and I collapsed to the floor. Her words terrified me. Could Robert really do that? But I quickly stood up, wiping my face firmly. "Julie," I told myself, "she’s playing head games with you. You’re smarter than letting Olivia get to you."

I trust Robert. He took me to his mother’s grave; he told me his story. He said he’d burn the world for me and took a bullet when I was kidnapped... he loves me and he will never leave me.

I left the room and headed to the gym, where I found Max. "Max, hey," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He gave me a sarcastic grin. "Look who remembered training!"

"I know, I know," I laughed softly.

We trained for two full hours until sweat poured from my brow and I felt a comfortable exhaustion. I went back to my room, showered, and put on light pajamas. I dried my hair and lay on the bed to rest, picking up a book. I was so engrossed that I didn’t notice the time until the cook arrived with the dinner cart. I immediately thought of Robert... was he back?

"Is Mr. Robert here?" I asked eagerly. "Did you take him dinner?"

"No," she said briefly. "He isn’t here."

She left, and I sat eating my dinner in silence, my thoughts scattered. Just as I finished, the door swung open and Robert walked in.

He was in his suit, possessing his usual aura of authority, but his features held a strange seriousness. He looked at me and gave a single, commanding word:

"Follow me."