Chapter 183

Julian panicked, afraid Rosalie would misunderstand after seeing him with Roseanne. He immediately strode toward Rosalie without a word.

“Julian!”

Roseanne, having also seen Rosalie, had come to the hospital under the pretense of visiting her. In reality, she wanted Rosalie to witness her entangled relationship with Julian. Since Julian hesitated to divorce Rosalie, Roseanne planned to make Rosalie leave him of her own accord.

She grabbed Julian’s hand, her eyes pleading. “Julian, I know it was my fault. I was wrong. I’m not asking to get back together, but I hope we can still be friends. Please don’t be so cold to me.”

She planned to appear conciliatory. “I was worried about Ms. Talley, so I came to see her, not to bother you. If you don’t like me here, I won’t appear again. But please don’t be prejudiced against me.”

Julian was only there because he'd seen Roseanne. Fearful that Rosalie would misunderstand their relationship due to a ridiculous rumor, he’d sought her out. His conflict with Rosalie was a family matter; he didn’t want Roseanne, an insignificant outsider, to interfere and cause trouble.

“Roseanne, I’ll say it again solemnly: no matter what you’re up to, I don’t want you interfering in my life, understand?”

The coldness and determination in Julian’s eyes pierced Roseanne’s heart. She looked at his unconcealed rejection and coldness in disbelief, dejected and afraid of losing him.

“Julian, do you really have to be so cruel? We can’t be together, but can’t we even be friends?”

Tears streamed down Roseanne’s face, her voice choked with sobs. “I regret it, Julian. I really regret it. I shouldn’t have left you in a fit of pique. Give me another chance, please, Julian.”

She swallowed her pride and pleaded, hoping for a trace of compassion in his cold eyes—but found none. Julian remained indifferent, even slightly impatient. His mind was consumed by Rosalie’s reaction. He didn’t want her to misunderstand, and feared she would.

But just as he was about to dismiss Roseanne and find Rosalie, Roseanne hugged him tightly. “Julian, give me a chance! I really regret it. I love you, Julian, please don’t be so cruel.”

Rosalie, returning from the staff lounge with water, saw this. She paused. Despite knowing about their feelings, seeing them embrace still wrenched her heart. She couldn’t see their expressions, but sensed their affection after their long separation. Her gaze lingered only a second before she looked away, seeing only Julian’s hands on Roseanne, not the moment he pushed her away.