Chapter 228: Unwilling

Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Unwilling

Noticing Julian looking at the medical kit, Vivian paused in her tracks.

She had seen that kit before. Inside was a photograph of four people: Julian, Julian’s mother, Grandma Faulkner, and Rachel Faulkner.

Originally, Felix Faulkner was in it too.

But perhaps because a young Julian resented his father for the things he had done, he had torn off the part of the photo that included Felix.

Vivian knew that even though Julian seemed as cold and emotionless as an iceberg on the surface, deep down, he cared deeply about his family.

Was he looking at the photo now because Rachel was still in it?

Vivian reasoned that Julian had changed. Even if he disliked Rachel now, surely he wouldn’t do something as childish as tearing her out of the photo anymore, would he?

"You..." Vivian began, wanting to offer a few words of comfort.

However, it turned out she had overestimated him. As she walked over, she saw that another piece was missing from the photo—the exact spot where Rachel had once been.

She had genuinely believed he was grown up and wouldn’t do something so childish!

Clearly, she was wrong.

"You’re here? Is everything packed?" Julian asked. "I’ve been swamped at the company these past two days and need to handle some leftover work. I might not be able to accompany you home tonight."

Setting the torn photo aside, he pulled another stack of pictures from a nearby drawer.

It was a massive stack—so thick he could barely hold it in one hand.

Vivian froze, nearly forgetting to answer his question as she stared intently at the new photos.

"Are those from our photoshoot? Did the studio develop them?" she asked, immediately recognizing the Long Corridor of The Sunstone Palace in one of the shots.

Julian nodded. He picked out a photo featuring himself, Vivian, and Grandma Faulkner, and placed it inside the medical kit.

Then, he opened another drawer, took out an old, yellowed photo of his mother, and placed it next to the first one.

"This is the Faulkner family’s current ’family of four,’" Julian declared, his tone noticeably lighter.

As for the photo he had just torn, he would have to store it elsewhere. It was too battered and torn; he really didn’t want to keep it in his medical kit anymore.

"Yes, we are a family of four," Vivian agreed, playing along.

Julian turned to her, blinking innocently. "Actually, I think a family of four is still a bit too small."

A bit too small? What did he mean?

For a second, Vivian was confused. But when she noticed the increasingly wicked smirk playing on his lips, it suddenly dawned on her.

She hastily changed the subject, scooping up Yuumi, who had been sleeping on the nearby sofa. "You’re right! We’re missing Yuumi and the golden retriever!

"Pets are family too! Julian, I know some shops in Aethelburg that take pet portraits. Why don’t we take Yuumi and the golden retriever for a photoshoot when we have time?"

"..."

Julian gave her a knowing look, clearly seeing right through her evasion. However, he didn’t press the issue and simply nodded.

Pet portraits wouldn’t be a bad idea, after all.

They chatted for a while longer until Ms. Shaw came over to call them for lunch. Vivian eagerly agreed, and the two headed downstairs to eat.

After lunch, the sun came out.

With the sun beating down intensely, Vivian had to abandon her original plan of going for a walk outside.

Still, she wanted to get some exercise. Plus, she was curious to see how the swimsuit Julian had picked out for her would look!

She decided to go swimming instead. The Faulkner family’s villa had its own indoor pool. While it wasn’t as large as a public swimming center, it was more than enough to satisfy her craving for a swim.

"Julian, let’s go swimming, okay?" she suggested. "The sun is too harsh outside; we’ll definitely get sunburned! Our plan for a walk is ruined anyway. Since we’re going to the beach soon, it’s the perfect time for me to brush up on my swimming skills!"

Vivian did swim occasionally at home when she had free time, but her sessions were always short because of her busy schedule.

Whenever she managed to squeeze in a workout, running was always the easiest option. The indoor pool wasn’t kept filled with water all the time.

After all, if it wasn’t used frequently, leaving it filled meant dealing with the hassle of cleaning and maintenance later.

Julian had also been feeling slightly disappointed by the blazing sun.

He had pictured the two of them taking a leisurely stroll under the large trees of their neighborhood, chatting about anything and everything. Even mundane, everyday trivialities were fascinating to him as long as they involved Vivian.

Life, unlike the movies, wasn’t just a series of climaxes; it was built upon these ordinary, uneventful moments.

And Julian could listen to those seemingly boring things with great relish, provided Vivian was the one sharing them.

Now, hearing her suggestion, his previous disappointment vanished instantly.

Swimming sounded wonderful. They could even play around together in the water.

"Alright," Julian agreed after only a moment’s hesitation. He instructed Ms. Shaw to fill the pool, then added, "It’ll probably take half an hour to get ready.

"Why don’t you go change into your swimsuit first, and then we can warm up in the gym?"

"Sounds good!" Vivian nodded and hurried off to change.

Half an hour later, Ms. Shaw and the staff finished preparing the pool. Vivian sat by the edge, dipping her feet into the water and kicking the surface, relishing the simple joy of the moment.

Swimming in the summer was the best. The cool water chased away the heat completely!

"Ready to swim?"

Julian, now wearing his swimming trunks, walked over and sat down beside her, mirroring her by dipping his feet into the pool.

Vivian had been staring blankly at the water, but the moment he approached, she turned to look at him.

AHEM!

His perfect eight-pack abs and sculpted chest were absolutely drool-worthy!

Then there were the muscles on his arms—firm, well-defined, and exuding raw power.

Vivian suddenly pouted and muttered under her breath, "This is so unfair! Look at my one-piece swim dress, and then look at your little swimming trunks!

"You’re exposing way too much skin! And you had the nerve to say my bikini was inappropriate! Well, I think your little trunks are just as inappropriate!"

With his incredible eight-pack abs looking like that, wouldn’t he draw the attention of countless women if he wore those trunks to the beach?

Vivian suddenly understood.

No wonder Julian hadn’t been thrilled about her wearing a bikini! Now that she was looking at him parading around bare-chested in nothing but swimming trunks, she wasn’t exactly thrilled either!