Roman and Julienne's heart desire

Chapter 203: But… Boss never arrived at the airport.

Back at the Thompson Mansion, the atmosphere appeared calm, almost deceptively so, yet Julie’s heart refused to settle into that quiet.

She stirred slowly on the bed, her lashes fluttering open as soft daylight filtered through the curtains and painted faint patterns across the ceiling.

For a brief moment, she simply lay there, staring upward as if trying to gather herself from sleep.

Then she turned slightly, her gaze instinctively drifting to the empty space beside her.

"Where are you, Roman..." she murmured, her voice soft with a faint pout that did not quite hide the disappointment underneath.

Pushing herself upright, she swept her hair back with one hand and glanced around the room. The silence felt heavier than usual, stretching too far, lingering too long.

Her eyes moved toward the bedside table.

"Maybe he’s still in a meeting," she said quietly, as though the explanation could steady something unsettled within her.

She reached for her phone and dialed his number, bringing it to her ear with a small, patient smile.

The call rang once.

Then it stopped.

Julie blinked, her brows drawing together slightly as she pulled the phone away and stared at the screen.

"That’s strange..."

She tried again, more deliberately this time, but the call ended almost the moment it began.

The faint smile on her lips faltered.

"Maybe it’s the network," she murmured, though her tone lacked conviction now.

She dialed a third time, slower, her fingers pressing each number as though careful precision might somehow fix what felt off.

The call did not even connect.

Julie’s hand stilled.

For a second, she simply sat there, staring at the phone as a quiet unease began to spread through her chest, subtle but persistent.

Roman never let her calls go unanswered.

Not like this.

Her gaze shifted toward the door, lingering there as if she expected it to open at any moment, as if he would walk in and dismiss the strange feeling with that calm, steady presence of his.

But nothing happened.

The silence remained.

Julie inhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside before it could fully form.

"I should go see Lisa... maybe she can reach him," she said, rising a little too quickly from the bed.

Slipping into her slippers, she stepped out of the room and moved down the hallway, her pace steady at first, though her grip around her phone tightened unconsciously.

The mansion greeted her with an unusual stillness as she descended the stairs, her eyes scanning the living room.

"Lisa?" she called softly.

No answer came.

Her steps slowed for only a moment before she changed direction and headed toward the garden, her movements more purposeful now.

The cool air brushed against her skin as she stepped outside, but it did little to ease the growing restlessness within her. Her gaze immediately went to the bench where Lisa often sat.

It was empty.

Julie paused.

"Where are you, Lisa..." she whispered under her breath.

The unease in her chest deepened.

Without thinking further, she turned back toward the mansion, her steps quickening as her thoughts began to race faster than she could control.

Her walk turned into a brisk stride, then something closer to urgency, until she stopped pretending altogether and broke into a run.

The servants she passed stepped aside quickly, startled by the sudden shift in her usually composed demeanor.

"Madam?" one of them called, but she did not stop.

The moment she stepped back inside, her hurried pace slowed abruptly.

Someone stood at the entrance.

Julie came to an immediate halt, her body going still.

Malone.

He stood upright as always, yet something about him was different. His posture was too rigid, his expression too controlled, as though he was holding something back.

Julie tilted her head slightly, confusion flickering across her face as she took a step toward him.

Malone bowed deeply. "Good day, Madam."

"Good day to you too, Malone," she replied automatically, though her attention never left his face.

He did not relax.

"Ma’am, I need to inform you of something... privately," he said, his voice measured but carrying an unusual weight.

Julie felt her chest tighten, though she gave a small nod. "Follow me."

She led him back toward the garden, her pace slower now, more cautious, as though each step brought her closer to something she was not ready to hear.

When they reached a quieter spot, she turned to face him.

"Is it that important? You know Roman isn’t home, and—"

"That is exactly the problem, Madam."

Julie stilled.

The words settled heavily between them.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice lower now, steadier, though the unease beneath it was impossible to hide. "Explain, Malone."

He took a controlled breath.

"Darel contacted me not long ago," he said carefully. "He asked whether Boss had already returned home."

Julie frowned, confusion flashing across her expression.

"Returned?" she repeated. "From where?"

Malone continued, choosing his words with precision. "Boss called him earlier. He instructed that the aircraft be prepared. He said he was coming back."

Julie’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

"But Roman is not here... and he didn’t inform anyone he was coming back today," she said, her voice tightening despite her effort to remain calm.

Malone’s gaze lowered briefly before he spoke again.

"That is why we are concerned."

A faint chill ran through Julie.

"Wait... let’s ask Lisa," she said quickly, turning as if to move, but she stopped when she realized Malone had not followed.

She looked back at him.

"What is it?"

Malone hesitated.

That hesitation alone felt wrong.

"Ma’am..." he began slowly, then paused again, as if weighing the impact of what he was about to say.

Julie’s breathing grew quieter.

"What is it, Malone?" she pressed.

Before he could answer, another voice cut in.

"What is going on?"

Julie turned sharply.

Lisa approached them, her gaze already sharp as it moved between Julie and Malone, sensing the tension before a single word was explained. She stepped closer and placed a hand on Julie’s arm.

"Are you alright, dear?" she asked gently.

Julie shook her head faintly. "I don’t think so..."

Lisa’s expression hardened as she looked at Malone.

"What did you say to her?" she demanded.

Malone lowered his head slightly.

"Malone, answer me."

He lifted his gaze, briefly seeking Julie’s permission.

Julie hesitated, then gave a small nod.

Malone drew in a slow breath.

"Boss contacted the pilot himself," he said carefully. "He confirmed his return and gave clear instructions."

Silence followed.

Julie’s fingers tightened around her phone.

Malone’s voice dropped, quieter now, heavier.

"The aircraft was prepared." said and his voice drop and he take a deep breath before continuing.

"But... Boss never arrived at the airport."