As they walked into the cinema, Julia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was glad to be out of the restaurant and away from Kendrick's prying eyes. Max noticed her tension and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.
Julia nodded, smiling weakly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little shaken up, that's all."
Max's eyes narrowed. "Do you want to tell me what happened between you and William?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.
Julia hesitated, unsure if she was ready to open up about her past. But something about Max's kind eyes and understanding tone put her at ease. She took a deep breath and began to tell him everything - about how she and Kendrick had dated for years, but he had turned out to be manipulative and controlling. About how she had finally found the courage to leave him, but he had been harassing her ever since.
Max listened attentively, his expression growing more and more angry as she spoke. When she finished, he took her hand in his and squeezed it tightly.
"I'm so sorry, Julia," he said, his voice full of emotion. "No one deserves to be treated like that. But I promise you, I will never hurt you like that. I will always be here for you, to support and protect you."
Julia felt a lump form in her throat as she looked into Max's eyes. She saw sincerity and kindness there, and she knew that she could trust him. She smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief.
"Thank you, Max," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot to me."
Max smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Julia," he said. "We're in this together, okay?"
As they walked into the movie theater, Julia felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she was safe with Max, and that he would always be there to protect her. She smiled, feeling grateful for this chance encounter with the kind and handsome billionaire. Little did she know, their adventure was only just beginning.
Julia stood on the steps, her eyes fixed on Williams as he turned to face her. His expression darkened, and for a moment, Julia thought she saw a flicker of anger in his eyes. But then, he composed himself and spoke a few more words with his client before turning to her.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Williams said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't Julia, the woman who broke my heart. What a coincidence, running into you here. You told me to leave you alone, but it seems you're the one who's been following me."
Julia rolled her eyes, her expression cold. "This isn't a coincidence, Williams. I'm not following you. I just happened to be in the area."
Williams snorted, his jealousy and anger evident in his tone. "Save it, Julia. I know you're still obsessed with me. You can't resist my charm, can you?"
Julia laughed, her voice mocking. "You're delusional, Williams. I'm not obsessed with you. I'm just trying to live my life, free from your toxic influence."
Williams's face twisted in pain, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're just saying that to hurt me, Julia. But I know the truth. You'll always come back to me, because I'm the only one who truly understands you."
Julia shook her head, her expression disgusted. "You're not even worth my time, Williams. Leave me alone and go back to your clients. They're probably missing your fake charm and charisma."
Williams's face turned red with rage, but Julia just turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone on the steps. She knew she had to get away from him, before he sucked her back into his toxic world.
As Julia walked away, she could feel Williams's eyes on her, burning with anger and resentment. She knew she had to get out of there before he did something reckless.
She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear Williams's footsteps behind her, heavy and deliberate.
Just as she was about to turn the corner, Williams grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. "You think you can just walk away from me?" he snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.
Julia tried to shake him off, but he held her tight. "Let me go, Williams," she warned, her voice firm.
But Williams just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "You're not going anywhere, Julia. You're going to listen to me, and you're going to do what I say."
Julia's heart was racing, her mind racing with fear. She knew she had to think fast, or she'd be trapped in Williams's toxic web once again.
Just then, a voice boomed from behind them. "Hey, what's going on here?"
Julia turned to see Max, his eyes fixed on Williams with a fierce intensity. "Let her go, Williams," he growled.
Just then, William turned to see Max standing right there beside him. Before he could say a word, Max's fist collided with William's face, the impact echoing like a gunshot. William staggered backward, crashing to the ground. Blood flowed from his mouth, and a tooth lay discarded on the pavement.
Julia watched, wide-eyed, as Max revealed a side she'd never seen: a man who could erupt in anger and violence. Her image of her husband as a perfect gentleman was shattered at that moment.
The protective instinct surged within Julia, even as fear gnawed at her. William struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. The humiliation of being beaten in public, right before Julia's eyes, fueled his rage.
"You dare touch me?" William sneered, his voice venomous. "I'll sue you. I will make your life hell. Staying in New York City will become unbearable for you."
Julia's anxiety spiked. William, with his influential import-export business and connections to renowned lawyers, could indeed wreak havoc on Max's life. As middle-class individuals, they couldn't afford legal battles. And to complicate matters, William's twin sister was a lawyer herself.
Julia couldn't remain silent. "William, your shamelessness knows no bounds," she snapped. Max, meanwhile, advanced toward William, who instinctively retreated. But Max seized him by the neck, fury in his eyes.
"What's giving you so much confidence?" Max's voice dripped disdain. "Is it your rented mansion, the flashy car? You're cheap trash." He pressed William against a nearby Maybach, rendering him immobile.
William's pride crumbled. Embarrassment, resentment, and hatred surged within him. How had Max discovered the truth about his facade? His bloodshot eyes darted around, seeking an escape.
Max's next punch landed even harder, and An
Julia gasped. Julia worried, not about William, but for Max. Revenge brewed in William's eyes. Max glanced at Julia, then shoved William into a nearby trash bin. "This is where you belong," he declared. "Her past is none of your business. She's my wife now and always will be."
Taking Julia's hand, Max led her toward the cinema, leaving William fuming. As William climbed out of the trash, he noticed a surveillance camera at the restaurant entrance. Determined to retaliate, he vowed to have Max detained.
Inside the dimly lit theater, Max and Julia had grown closer. Holding hands had become second nature. The romance movie they were watching was filled with couples, and Julia reveled in the feeling of love and companionship. Max's touch was soft, smooth, and tender and it sent her heart racing.