Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

APRIL’S POV

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Julian Ellington is a breath of fresh air.

Warmth spreads from the crown of my head where he gently pats my hair, murmuring, “You aren’t a bratty little sister, so you deserve gentle handling.”

My laughter catches me by surprise, light and airy, as the tension coiled tightly around my muscles since I came back in with Lara eases.

For a moment, the noise of the boutique fades into the background, the hum of conversation and rustling fabrics replaced with the warmth of genuine care.

“What are you doing here, Jules?” Lara sighs, swatting her brother’s hand away again.

He rolls his eyes, dropping into the space beside me. “I’m one of Lucas‘ groomsmen, remember?”

I stiffen without meaning to, that earlier tension pulling my body taut.

I can’t believe I forgot that tiny, yet monumental detail. Julian and Lucas went to school together. They’re friends.

I stare at Lara’s brother like I’m seeing him for the first time. Is he depraved, too?

Are the warm smiles and teasing remarks all part of his own perfectly curated mask?

He notices me staring and strokes a hand across his sharp jaw. “Don’t tell me I’ve gotten twice as handsome since the last time you saw

me.”

I can barely control the loud snort that has half of the room turning in our direction.

I slap my hands over my mouth, shaking my head as Julian grins. “Julian Ellington, rendering girls speechless since 2002.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Lara says in exasperation, leaning over me to swat Julian’s knee. “You came here for a fitting or to piss me off?”

He smirks. “Multitasking, little sister, is my superpower.”

She tugs at his sleeve. “Get out of here, dumbass.”

He winks at me as he rises. “See you later, April. I need an update on your interview.”

He waves at Lara. “Bye, grumpy.”

She waves him off with her middle finger, but as soon as he’s out of sight, a fond smile pulls at her lips. “He’s like a lovable puppy that keeps chewing on your shoes.”

I snort, smiling–but as Julian slips into the hallway leading to the tux fitting area, I feel it all crashing back again.

The gravity of what happened in that godforsaken closet.

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18:47 Thu, Oct 16

Chapter 179

The heat of Nathan’s eyes when he found me. The way his voice broke when he yelled at me–torn between his fury at Lucas and his fear

for me.

The way mine cracked when I told him not to touch me again. When all I want is for him to gather me in his arms.

But Nathan’s presence, just a few feet away, feels like a live current running through my bloodstream.

My skin prickles, my heart stutters. I know he’s watching me without lifting my gaze.

Lara turns to me, her eyes softening. “You good, babe?”

She’s asked that question about sixteen times in the thirty minutes since we returned inside.

I have no idea if she’s talking about Lucas or Nathan, but I force my smile to look somewhat genuine and bump her knees with mine. “I’m fine, I promise.”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “I was so scared,” she whispers. “I can’t imagine how you felt. Thank God Nathan got to you in time.”

“Yeah.” My control slips, and I do what I’ve been fighting not to since I came back in—I look at Nathan.

My heart jackknifes in my chest when, unsurprisingly, I find his eyes already on me, the intensity of his gaze palpable.

He’s at the very edge of his seat, his fists clenched like he’s holding himself back from launching forward. His jaw is tight, like he’s biting back words, and my breath catches at the storm churning behind those familiar eyes.

We were once able to read each other with a glance. Now, it feels like I’m trying to decode a language I used to be fluent in.

Thankfully, I receive another blessed distraction in the form of Eliza occupying Julian’s seat.

“Hey,” she says, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “How’d it go?”

“Rocky,” Lara says in the same cadence, but then her lips pull into a smirk, “but successful.”

Eliza exhales and turns to me. “And you, April? How are—”

“I’m fine,” I answer before she can ask.

She nods. “Okay. Okay, good.”

“Come on,” Lara loops her arm through mine. “It might have started out as a ruse, but you’re still my maid of honor, and you’re not done with your fitting yet.”

I let her pull me up and dive back into the flurry of action.

The boutique feels like it’s breathing now–alive with chatter and silk rustling. But inside me, everything is fraying at the edges. The room is too warm. The music is too soft.

I feel like I’m made of glass.

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