Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 113

The door cracked open gently.

Outside, Julian stood holding a neat pastry box, dressed in casual white loungewear.

He paused in the doorway, his gaze landing on Eliza's slightly swollen eyes.

"I'm sorry for bothering you so late. I saw your window light was still on."

Julian's voice was soft, as if he were afraid of startling her.

"Scones aren't good once they've been sitting out too long, so I just brought them up."

A wave of warmth washed over Eliza, but it was quickly followed by the memory of their last disastrous encounter at the police station.

He had seen her at her absolute lowest, stripped bare like a clown without a shred of dignity left.

Just thinking about Miriam pointing at her, screaming that she was a worthless, brainless burden made Eliza feel like her tears were about to spill over again.

She quickly tilted her head away and took a deep breath.

"...Thank you, Julian."

She had been crying for so long that her voice was completely hoarse, sounding like it had been scraped with sandpaper.

Watching her defeated posture, Julian knew she still had her walls up. He immediately shifted his tone.

He offered the pastry box forward, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.

"To be honest, this is my first time baking these."

Eliza blinked in surprise.

"I was planning on showing off to my grandfather when I visit the family estate in a couple of days."

"But I'm not sure if the recipe is right. If I serve these and they're a disaster, making a fool of myself in front of the whole family would be worse than watching my stock prices crash."

"So—"

Julian lowered his head and pushed the box a little closer.

"I'd appreciate it if you could do me a favor and be my taste tester."

Eliza's eyelashes fluttered. She knew he was giving her an out.

He was always like this. He clearly came just to check on her, yet he deliberately framed it as if he was the one needing a favor, just to make it easier for her to accept without feeling awkward.

"...Okay."

Afraid her voice would break if she said anything more, she reached out to take the box.

The handle was a bit smooth, and as her fingers brushed against it, they accidentally grazed his knuckles.

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