From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 118

**Chapter 4**

How long had it been since that title echoed in my mind?

A sudden chill coursed through me as I lifted my gaze, only to be ensnared by those obsidian eyes. Julian Blackwood stood before me, exuding a chilling calmness that could thaw even the iciest of hearts. It was as if the frail boy who had once hidden in the attic, sketching my portrait, had been replaced by this composed man.

I felt an instinctual urge to retreat, but before I could, his grip tightened around my waist, anchoring me in place.

With a slight flick of his wrist, he shook the black umbrella, his thin lips curving into a subtle smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Those dark, penetrating eyes remained fixed on me, unwavering, as if daring me to look away.

“Step out any further, my lady,” he warned, his voice smooth yet firm, “and I won’t be able to keep you dry.”

“Or perhaps you still want to run away, just like you did years ago?” he added, the corners of his mouth twitching with a mix of amusement and challenge.

The umbrella tilted further toward me, and I felt a blush creep up my neck, betraying the turmoil within.

When I had fled to Westlake, my disdain for Julian had been palpable.

The mere thought of sharing my life with someone so sickly and seemingly dull had made my future feel utterly bleak.

In my rebellion, I had turned to Rhys, his vibrant spirit a stark contrast to Julian’s subdued nature. I transformed into someone bold, someone deliberately provocative, hoping to escape the shadow of my past.

Yet now, standing before Julian again, I felt myself reverting to my former self, the one who had once been so easily intimidated.

I stood awkwardly, attempting to project an air of composure, but my gaze faltered, unable to meet his unyielding stare.

“Stop talking nonsense,” I retorted, my voice laced with defiance. “If I get caught in the rain, my dad will absolutely destroy you.”

This rebellious spirit was something Julian had nurtured within me, a spark that had once ignited my desire for freedom.

Behind me, I could sense Rhys’s sharp intake of breath, his pupils contracting in disbelief.

In the rearview mirror, I caught a fleeting glimpse of him standing alone in the rain, a solitary figure embodying my past.

Rhys had been right about one thing—my decade with him had been reckless and unrestrained.

My family had already mapped out my future—studying abroad alongside Julian, then returning to take the reins of the family business.

Julian had been the ideal choice, handpicked by my parents for his refinement, talent, and impeccable credentials—a perfect suitor in every sense.

But I had rebelled fiercely. The day after my eighteenth birthday, I had changed my university application and fled, cloaking my escape in the guise of education.

For ten long years, my family hadn’t come looking for me. I had assumed they were ashamed, ready to sever ties completely.

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