The confession seemed to break something in Julian. He moved forward with predatory grace, backing Nick against the fountain until they were close enough to breathe the same air.
"You want to know what I want, Nick?" Julian's voice was low and intense, carrying clearly through the garden. "I want to stop pretending that strategic alliances and family obligations matter more than this."
"Julian—"
"I want to stop lying to myself about why I proposed to Isabella tonight. It wasn't just strategic distraction—it was jealousy. Pure, irrational jealousy because Alexander Calloway gets to touch her, dance with her, corner her on balconies for private conversations while I have to watch from the sidelines."
"That's not—"
"It's not about Isabella," Julian continued, his hands coming up to frame
