Roman and Julienne's heart desire

Chapter 193: Roman’s departure: Missing him

Julie sat near the tall window, the pale morning light spilling softly across her face.

Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her dress as she watched Roman adjust the cuff of his sleeve.

The dark blue suit clung perfectly to his broad frame, sharp and commanding, yet there was nothing intimidating about him when he turned to her, only warmth, only love.

"Love," Julie called softly.

Roman paused. At the sound of her voice, he turned fully, his expression instantly gentle, as though the world outside that room no longer mattered.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice low and calm, eyes fixed on her.

Julie swallowed.

Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him, sadness pooling unmistakably in her eyes. "Must you leave?" she asked quietly.

Roman’s brows drew together slightly.

"Even though I know it’s serious... I really don’t want you to go," she added, her voice growing smaller, fragile, like glass that might crack if touched too hard.

Roman crossed the space between them in three long strides and crouched in front of her so they were eye to eye. He reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"Hey," he murmured. "Don’t look at me like that."

She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"It won’t take long," he continued gently. "Just two days. I promise you—I won’t stay longer than that. Before you even realize it, I’ll be back in your arms, okay?"

Julie sighed deeply and lifted her head, nodding slowly even though the ache in her chest refused to ease.

"Don’t worry," Roman added, lifting his hand and patting her head with affectionate familiarity.

But his reassurance only made it worse.

"Walk me out," Roman said after a moment.

Julie hesitated, then nodded. "Sure... why not."

As she attempted to stand, Roman extended his hand toward her. She placed her smaller hand in his without thinking, and he pulled her smoothly to her feet, bringing her close to his side.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Roman’s arm slid naturally around her waist, holding her there as though letting go wasn’t an option.

Together, they walked out of the room, side by side. Julie rested her head against his chest, her ear catching the steady rhythm of his heartbeat strong, unwavering, comforting.

They descended the grand staircase slowly."Finally, you’re here," Denovan said, standing at the bottom. "I was beginning to think you’d be late."

"I won’t be late," Roman replied casually, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And even if I were, Grandpa, I have the right to be."

Denovan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Since when?"Roman glanced down at Julie, his gaze softening instantly.

"Since I married a woman who loves me deeply and worries about me more than she should."

Julie immediately tried to step away from him, whispering, "Let go."

Roman only smiled and tightened his arm around her waist.

Denovan chuckled knowingly. "I see. Don’t worry, Julie. I’ll make sure he returns in exactly two days."

Julie nodded shyly, her face warming as she realized how obvious her clinginess had been.

"Wait," she said suddenly. "Did you take your pen?"Roman paused, narrowing his eyes in thought before shaking his head. "No... I actually forgot it."

"I’ll get it," Julie said quickly, already moving away toward the staircase.

This time, Roman let her go.

She returned moments later, pen in hand but Roman was no longer where she’d left him. Her gaze swept the room until she spotted him near Lisa, speaking quietly with his grandmother.

When Roman noticed her watching, he smiled—slow, warm, and entirely hers.

"You’re back," he said as she approached.

She nodded, smiling faintly.

"Let’s go," Roman said to Lisa and Denovan, then turned back to Julie, pulling her once again against his side.

Outside, a sleek black car waited.

"Take care of yourself," Roman’s aide said."You too," Julie replied softly.

Roman laughed under his breath. "I won’t let you miss me."

"I already am," Julie said, pouting.

His smile widened.Without warning, Roman pulled her into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around her like he never intended to let go.

The sight alone drew fond smiles from everyone watching."I’m already missing you too, my love," he murmured into her hair.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Roman pulled back and turned to Lisa, hugging her warmly, then Denovan. Finally, he returned to Julie.

He bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead slow, reverent, intimate. Gasps echoed softly around them.

As he pulled away, his eyes locked onto hers. Julie instinctively lowered her gaze, but before she could turn away, he caught her hand.

"Let me return it," Julie whispered.

Roman smiled and bent down again.

Julie reached up, her hands resting against his shoulders so small against his broad frame and pressed her lips gently to his forehead.

"I love you," she said.

And Roman exhaled, emotion thick in his voice.

"Love you too... my heart’s desire."

And as the car door closed behind him, Julie stood there watching until he was gone holding onto the promise that two days would pass quickly, because love like theirs always found its way back home.

Julie remained where she stood, her eyes fixed on the empty driveway long after the black car disappeared from sight.

The cold morning air brushed against her skin, but she barely felt it.

What lingered instead was the warmth of Roman’s arms, the echo of his voice, the pressure of his kiss on her forehead.

Two days, she reminded herself.

Just two days.Still, her chest felt unbearably heavy.

"Come inside, dear," Lisa said gently, stepping closer.

Her voice carried a softness reserved only for moments like this moments when words mattered less than presence.

Julie nodded faintly, though her feet hesitated, as if crossing the threshold back into the mansion meant fully accepting that Roman was gone.

Denovan rested his cane against the marble floor. "He’ll be fine," he said with quiet certainty. "And so will you."

Julie forced a small smile.

"I know."

But knowing didn’t make it easier.

They walked back inside, the grand doors closing behind them with a hush that felt louder than any sound.

The mansion, once filled with Roman’s presence, his footsteps, his voice, his laughter now felt too large.

Too silent.Julie’s hand unconsciously drifted to her waist, to the place where his arm had rested moments ago.

"I’ll have tea prepared," Lisa said. "You should rest."Julie nodded again. "Thank you."

She excused herself and climbed the stairs slowly, each step heavier than the last. The corridor leading to their bedroom stretched endlessly before her.

When she finally pushed the door open, the room greeted her with familiarity and absence.

Roman’s scent lingered faintly in the air. Clean, masculine, comforting.

She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers brushing the pillow where his head had rested just hours ago.

Slowly, she lay down, curling slightly onto his side, pressing her face into the fabric.

Only then did she allow herself to exhale.

Tears welled in her eyes not dramatic, not loud just quiet, honest tears that slipped down her cheeks as she stared at the ceiling.

"I’ll be strong," she whispered to the empty room. "I promise."

A soft knock came at the door.

"Julie?" Denovan’s voice followed.

"Yes, Grandpa," she answered, sitting up quickly and wiping her face.

He entered, his gaze kind and perceptive. "I thought you might need company."

She nodded, and he sat beside her, resting his hand over hers.

"You remind me of your grandmother," he said after a moment. "She used to watch me leave the same way."

Julie smiled weakly. "Did it ever get easier?"

Denovan shook his head. "No. But love like that... it’s worth every ache."

Silence settled comfortably between them.

Downstairs, the mansion resumed its quiet rhythm.

Staff moved softly, voices hushed, as if the walls themselves understood that something precious had just departed.

Julie eventually rose and walked to the window, watching the sky shift slowly as the day unfolded.

Somewhere out there, Roman was already on his way focused, determined, carrying her love with him like armor.

She placed a hand over her heart.

"Come back to me," she murmured.

And though the mansion stood silent, it felt just for a moment like it listened.

Hello my beautiful readers 🤍

First of all, I want to say thank you—a deep, sincere thank you—to every single person who clicked this story, read a Chapter, voted, commented, or silently supported it.

Your presence here means more to me than you can imagine.

I owe you all an apology. I know I went quiet for a while, and I didn’t reply the way I should have. Please believe me when I say it wasn’t because I forgot you or this story.

Life sometimes pulls us away unexpectedly, but even in my silence, Roman and Julie never left my heart—and neither did you.

Writing this story has been an emotional journey for me. Every scene, every moment of love, pain, separation, and reunion comes from a place of deep feeling.

Knowing that you connect with these characters, that you feel their emotions as if they were real people, is what gives me the courage to keep writing.

Your patience means everything. Some of you waited quietly. Some of you kept voting. Some of you kept asking when the next update would come. I see all of it. I feel all of it.

And I am truly grateful.

Thank you for believing in this story even when updates were slow. Thank you for trusting me as your author.

Please keep supporting, keep commenting, keep sharing your thoughts. Your words push me forward more than you know.

With love, gratitude, and sincerity,

Your Author 🤍