Page 176 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Julian never came to see me during the day, but I caught him lurking nearby a few times. I wasn’t sure which scenario was worse: having to speak to him or having him trail me like a stalker.

Dinner appearances were unbearable. The whole family gathered for the evening meal. My mother had been lucky to get everyone together for a Sunday dinner, but here it was ritualistic.

The rest of the time, Julian just existed. He took meetings and moved through his day and business as if I wasn’t here.

It was an awkward sensation to feel trapped and suffocated while also being utterly alone at the same time.

My first two days were spent testing the property. I mapped hallways, counted cameras, watched guard rotations, and noted blind spots that weren’t truly blind. All the things that Goran had taught me over the years.

Unfortunately, Julian’s security rotated with professional precision. They left no gaps and made no mistakes.

Sven was always present without hovering. I had no idea when he slept, ate, or changed. It felt like he never left my door or my side.

By day four, I understood something. This wasn’t temporary. This was my new life. Imprisonment disguised as luxury.

Today was day seven. Breakfast had finished, and I stood on my balcony like I had every day since arriving, watching the waves, jealous of their freedom.

Julian knocked once before entering my suite like a man who owned the space and everything in it, including me. Not even my father dared to do that right now. I had melted down on day four and thrown everything I could reach at him until he ran for his life.

Not exactly my finest moment.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Julian’s cream suit between the sheer curtains drifting in the breeze.

He paused in the middle of my bedroom and stared at me. With a sigh, I walked inside.

“I don’t recall saying you could enter.”

“You’ll be my wife soon. Privacy between us is no longer tolerated.”

“Yes, and yet I’m sure that rule only applies one way. Doesn’t it, fiancé?”

A faint smile appeared as he rubbed his bottom lip.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who speaks so freely.”

In a very unladylike manner, I snorted.

“Then, you don’t get out much. It’s the twenty-first century. If you expect to hold me under your thumb, then you had better be prepared to lose it.”

The corner of his mouth lifted with amusement as he moved deeper into the room. With hands clasped loosely behind his back, his gaze swept over the space before settling on me.

“And yet here you are in your pretty box where you belong.”

My nostrils flared, and my hands balled as fire burned in my gut. I bit back the words ‘For now’, even though I wanted to spit them at him. He had to believe I wasn’t a flight risk if I had any shot of escaping.

“What? No sarcastic remark?”

“Give me a moment, I’m sure I’ll come up with one.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you will.”

Julian continued his inspection, sliding around me to the balcony. He caught the sheer curtain in his fist and held it there, as if the fabric’s freedom irritated him.

“Your father leaves in three days.”

My pulse thudded harder. “Does he now?”

“Yes.”