Homecoming to an Empty Heart

Julia ended the call and dismissed Elijah's question with a half-hearted answer. "No one. A colleague is just transferring to a different city."

Elijah stared at her as if to verify the truth of her answer.

"I'm sorry. I overreacted before, and we were both at fault. Coby has forgiven you. Please forgive me, too."

Once he finished speaking, he went back to his medical journal, almost as if his apology was merely a formality.

Julia acted as though she hadn't heard him. Since the kitten had nearly finished its meal, she decided to let it get some rest in her room. It was late, and there was nowhere else to take it. She would find a new home for it tomorrow.

Once she got up, she realized Juliette was no longer in the living room. When did she leave? Would Elijah really let her go home alone with a sprained ankle?

Curious, Julia headed toward the master bedroom.

"Stop!"

"No!"

Two voices—one belonging to a man and the other to a child—called out behind her.

What now? Was she not even allowed to stay in the house anymore?

Julia turned around to see a conflicted look on Elijah's face. It was as if he couldn't find the words to say what he needed to say.

Coby, on the other hand, didn't share such qualms. "Aunt Juliette is resting in the bedroom. You're not allowed to disturb her!"

Just then, the bedroom door opened, and Juliette appeared in one of Julia's nightgowns.

"Sorry about this, Julia. Mom and Dad went on holiday, and they asked Eli to take care of me. I've been sleeping here for ten days now. I didn't know you'd be coming back today. Why don't I pack up my things so that you can move back in?"

As she spoke, she lowered her head, voice all choked up. It was almost as if she'd been deeply hurt.

"It's already so late. Why go through all that trouble? It won't make a difference even if Julia sleeps in one of the other rooms. Hurry up and get back in bed. You need to rest your sprained ankle," Elijah replied on Julia's behalf without any hesitation at all.

Juliette nodded, but just as she was turning around, she lost her balance and fell toward Elijah. He quickly held her steady before carrying her to bed.

"Thanks, Eli."

Elijah glanced toward Julia, who was standing outside the room. Realizing that the position he and Juliette were in looked a little intimate, he hurriedly explained, "Don't think too much of it, Julia. It's late now, and she sprained her ankle, so let's not put her through any further trouble.

"Besides, Juliette is your sister. She had a tough childhood. The two of us should be more understanding."

Julia stroked the kitten absent-mindedly. What was there for her to think about? She didn't even want her husband anymore, let alone their shared room.

"I'll sleep in the guest bedroom."

Elijah had already prepared his speech to persuade Julia, but before he said anything, she put an end to the conversation with just six words. She'd walked off before he could even figure out why she was being so cooperative today.

Coby also got the feeling that something was up with Julia, but he was still too young to ponder such complicated matters. He simply tugged on Elijah's hand and asked Elijah to tuck him into bed.

Julia turned a pillow into a bed for the kitten. Then, she got into bed after washing up.

Juliette had sent her yet another taunting message.

"Your nightgown is mine, and so is your man."

Soon, Elijah opened the guest room door. Looking at him, Julia asked, "What are you doing here?"

Standing there with his pajamas in hand, he replied in confusion, "To sleep, of course. We're a married couple. We should be sharing a bedroom."

With a spiteful smirk on her face, she remarked, "Oh, so you do know we're the married couple. I thought you'd sleep with Juliette in the master bedroom."

Julia had played the part of a dutiful wife and mother for many years now. Plus, being a police captain, she had to keep herself in check as well. Thus, she'd almost forgotten just how petty and mean-spirited she could be.

She never would've allowed Juliette to walk all over her like that if it hadn't been for her feelings for Elijah. But now, she no longer wanted to put up with any of this. After all, she would be leaving for good in seven days. Who knew if she'd even survive this mission?

There was no reason for her to keep enduring such treatment any longer.

Elijah's expression darkened. Eyes blazing with fury, he snapped, "What the hell are you saying? Here I was, wondering why you'd agree to let Juliette take the master bedroom without any fuss. It turns out you were just waiting to argue with me instead! When did you become this person that you are now?"

Julia snorted. Who was the one who'd changed?

She was just about to show him the message from Juliette when a piercing shriek interrupted them.

"Eli!"

It came from the master bedroom next door.

Elijah dashed off before he'd even gotten properly dressed.

Coby, who'd been startled awake, called out, "What's the matter, Aunt Juliette?"

Julia went to close the door, just in time to hear Juliette say, "Look at the window, Eli. Doesn't it look like someone's there? I'm so scared!"

The sound of footsteps followed, which meant that Elijah was probably checking the window.

"It's just a tree branch. There's no sign of anyone outside," Elijah said with a bemused laugh.

Julia could almost picture the expression on Elijah's face right now.

"You're such a scaredy cat, Aunt Juliette!"

Julia shut the door, completely cutting off the cheerful laughs coming from the master bedroom. When she turned around, she saw her reflection in the mirror and quickly looked away. She didn't want to see the mocking, self-deprecating look in her eyes.

After some time, Elijah's muffled voice rang out from just beyond the door. "Coby is sleeping with Juliette. I'll sleep in his room."

Following a pause, he added, "It doesn't matter whether or not you believe me, Julia, but everything I do is for your sake."

Julia closed her eyes, pretending like she hadn't heard him.

Time and again, she had been forced to compromise. He'd repeatedly hurt her and taught her own son to develop a closer bond with another woman. How could he now claim that it was all for her sake?

After ten minutes, there was finally the sound of someone walking away from the door.

Julia slept in peace that night. When she opened her eyes, it was 9:00 am the next morning, and the house was empty.