Page 267 of No Need to Run

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“And you are?” Julia asks.

“Violet,” she replies calmly. “The one who really cares about Drew.”

Julia studies her, measuring her. Searching for cracks.

Violet just stares at her, not intimidated by my ex-wife.

“This is unexpected,” Julia says. “I never imagined?—"

“It isn’t. Not to me,” Violet replies.

Julia blinks. “What?”

Violet’s expression doesn’t change. "I know Drew's worth." She stares at Julia. “You don’t.”

Julia’s mouth drops open.

“You never did.”

Every word settles somewhere deep inside me.

“You know nothing about me,” she huffs.

“Don’t I?” Violet arches her brows, her gaze slowly gliding over her. “I know enough.”

Julia looks at me. “This is a mistake.”

My jaw tightens. “I agree. You should leave.”

Her hands clench into fists.

“You don’t even know her,” Julia says, her eyes flicking to Violet before locking with mine again.

I look at Violet.

The woman who knows my coffee order.

My routines.

My fears.

The parts of myself I don't show anyone.

I wrap my arm around Violet, pulling her against me. “I know enough.”

Violet looks up at me, a smile curling her lips.

Julia huffs out a breath.

“This is exactly why things didn’t work between us,” she says. “You rush into things. You don’t think.”

That used to bother me.

Now it doesn’t.

"Or maybe I just rushed into the wrong thing before."

Julia’s expression hardens.

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