Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 290

Melanie made a sound of acknowledgment. She would help Willow keep her family intact, if only for Julian and the children.

…

That night, Willow had a dream. She dreamed about the night when she and Julian had fallen out by Lake Tolpond as Grace's life hung in the balance. She'd set the black Maybach on fire, and the flames had turned the sky above the lake crimson.

She also dreamed of the chapel where Julian had knelt before the heavens and prayed. She wanted to step forward and call his name, but his figure was blurry—she stepped right through him.

Willow's eyes flew open. She was covered in cold sweat, and the pain of childbirth spread through her.

Melanie jolted awake and immediately hurried forward. "Are you okay? Do you want to see Evelyn?"

The ward was silent save for that question. Willow looked at Melanie for a while before asking, "Where is Julian?"

Melanie became choked up. "He's busy. He'll be back soon, okay? He'll be back to see you and the kids."

Willow shook her head. She didn't believe that. She slowly turned to look out the window at the night beyond. She murmured, "It's October again. It's time for the flowers and leaves to fall."

…

At the cabin at Lake Tolpond, Julian wasn't having his requisite 20 hours of sleep. He was still awake despite it being late at night.

However, he didn't remember anything. He couldn't even see anything anymore. He could no longer sit outside the cabin in the evenings to stare at Lake Tolpond, nor could he wait for Willow to show up. He didn't even remember what he'd been waiting for.

She composed herself before reading the journal entry aloud. Julian didn't show the slightest bit of emotion, though.

Just like that, Julian forgot everything, including the promise he'd asked Esther to make to him.

He'd said, "Esther, if I don't remember anything anymore, take down everything that happens to Willow and the kids. Then, read them to me. I'll remember them as long as I can hear you."

"Esther, the days of not being able to remember anything are actually horrible and lonely."