Julian’s Stand-In Wife

Those were indeed Julian’s exact words.

He was so frustrated, he couldn’t even reply.

After a while, he snapped, “Are you done?”

“No!” Diana took a deep breath. “You’re right. You were basically raising children while not knowing a thing about them. You’ve never experienced the pain and heartache of giving birth. How could you be anything but a happy and ignorant father?”

“Watch your words, Diana!”

The way Diana said it made it sound like he had been cheated on, and had raised children that weren’t his.

Now that it was confirmed that the two children were his flesh and blood, her words made him uncomfortable.

Julian crouched, annoyed. “The children are still here. Could your temper be any worse? It’d be great if you scared them all away. You’d be happy, wouldn’t you?”

This man never had any kind words for her. Diana was hurt by his accusations, but dared not speak loudly again.

“I’m more upset about Betty’s condition than you are,” she said. “Regardless, you have no right to criticize me.”

Julian sneered. “Everything you say is unacceptable, as always. I don’t know where you got such a temper.”

was always like

they always argue whenever

listened to

heard every word she said with meticulous scrutiny, but he couldn’t see the vulnerability and sadness

didn’t want to

tried to convince herself that they had nothing between them

feel sad or wronged because of his

at odds, Sean felt uneasy. He held his sister’s hand

“Daddy” with ease. Now, he

Julian had come to

him expectantly. “What did you

to be stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t

say it now, just

with Sean

he spoke. “Let’s take our time. Daddy was wrong before. Daddy delayed coming here and picking you and your sister up. Daddy made

he was scolding Diana; as if she, as their mother, didn’t do enough and made

Julian really meant it.

had complicated relationships with Oliver, Simon,