Chapter 89: After the Line Is Crossed
Nothing felt the same.
Not the air. Not the silence. Not even the distance between them.
Scarlett stood still for a moment after the second kiss ended, her hand still clutching the front of Julian's shirt. Her heartbeat had not slowed, her breathing still uneven, as if her body had not caught up with what had just happened.
Julian did not step away immediately.
His hand remained at her waist, firm, grounding, as if letting go would undo something he had already accepted.
For the first time, neither of them rushed to fix it.
No denial.
No distance.
No pretending.
Just the quiet aftermath of a line that could not be uncrossed.
Scarlett was the first to speak, her voice softer than usual. "So… what happens now?"
Julian looked at her, really looked at her. Not calculating. Not distant. Just present.
"That depends," he said.
"On what?"
"On whether you regret it."
Scarlett's brows drew slightly together. "Do you?"
