Julian walked in.

He sat down by the bed, reached out, and gently touched his son and daughter’s cheeks. Then he said in a low voice, “Jaden needs someone to take care of him. That’s why I wanted to marry again.”

Madam Hale’s eyes brimmed with tears, like she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

She couldn’t understand why Julian had to crush himself down like this—why he wouldn’t tell Francesca what happened back then, why he wouldn’t tell ...