Love or Leave Behind Novel

Shelmine didn’t know how to respond, so she ignored the message. But that did not stop Julien from texting her again, “Do you like the flowers I sent you?=

This time, she replied, “Stop sending me flowers. They’re a waste of money.”

He teased, “Aw, aren’t you considerate? Don’t worry, I have plenty of cash to spare‘

She retorted, “The trash can is hull every day because of the flowers.”

“Uur. You left the flowers in the office!!

Shelmain sighed. “Did you bribe Beatrix again?”

Julien wrote in mock outrage, “Your false accusations hurt, milady. I did not bribe her, I simply saw Beatrix’s latest post on Instagram and noticed the flowers in the background.”

Whether or not it truly was a coincidence remained a secret between Julien and Beatrix.

Shelmaine wasn’t angry at him, but she felt guilty for dragging Julien into this just to spite Samuel and the others. She wondered if she was doing the right thing; she couldn’t stand to be so cruel

Julien was kind to her and innocent. He didn’t deserve to be strung along like this. For a moment, Shelmaine considered ending things with him. Times like now, she wished she was heartless enough to continue using him as a pawns without feeling guilty.

At that moment, Julien followed up with a few pictures of the view he had taken on his way back to the hotel after work last night. He wrote, “The view here is gorgeous, and the nightide here is amazing. I wish you could come with me next time.”

Shelmaine’s guilt worsened

Samuel stayed in Aurich for two days. Although his work here had ended, he remained in the city for another day.

Just a few hours before returning to South Haven, he went by Shelmaine’s studio again. The car slowly rolled to a stop outside the building, but Samuel did not go up to the studio. He did, however, spot a uniformed delivery man bringing a large bouquet into the building. From the looks of it, the bouquet was a gift instead of the congratulatory variant meant for business openings

Samuel tore his gaze away. Deciding not to linger outside the building, he had his driver take him to the airport

When Samuel arrived at the South Haven Airport a few hours later, he scrolled through his phone and came upon Julien’s latest Instagram story. He had been posting more frequently these days, and the latest post was two hours ago.

Upon clicking on it, Samuel saw a large, striking rose bouquet. It was obviously meant as a gift for someone.

Following the post was a screenshot of Julien’s conversation with someone whose name and profile picture had been blurred for privacy reasons, leaving only the conversation

visible.

The anonymous person wrote, “Stop sending my flowers. The mice house is full of them. Any more and I’m sure my place will be overflowing with flora”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Julien replied, “I know how hard it is for you to tell me to stop, Shelly, but as you wish.”

Samuel didn’t have to be a genius to know who “Shelly” was. He simply hadn’t expected her to move on so fast with Julien

His lips pressed into a grim line. The sky gradually darkened, and the torrential downpour outside was still caging on.

Samuel sat in the car and nursed his foul mood. He didn’t realize until much later that he had divorced Shelmaine, and he shouldn’t be so upset about her relationship with Julie Brody cast a furtive glance at Samuel and sensed something amiss. Much like the last trip, Samuel was different after returning from Aurich. Brody just couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Just then, Samuel’s

phone rang. He snapped out of his thoughts and impassively put the call through.

Eliana’s voice filled the other line “samuel, your grandfather’s death anniversary is coming up in a few days. You should come back and bring Natasha with you. You couldn’t make it for the last few years, so you must come home for the anniversary this year.”

Samel bad

missed his grandfather’s death anniversary for the last three years, during which he had been married to Shelmaine. He considered Eliana’s words and agreed to go back this year,

Eliana drew a breath, seeming as if she was about to ask a question, but she passed. A beat later, she asked carefully, “Theard that you went to Aurich.”

“I did,” Samuel confirmed “I went to see Julien and talk about our collaboration with him.”

“How Is business doing for the Gallaghers

“They’re laring well enough,” Samuel replied.

Ellana pointed out, “Now that you mention it, Jusie’s getting engaged soon. Also, did you hear that Julien’s seeing someone?”

Samuel passed, this gaze dakening “Where did you hear that icom?”