Chapter 4 Not Qualified

Julian stared up at Juliette's gentle, familiar face, his wide eyes filled with something between awe and desperation. His tiny hands

trembled at his sides, his little heart wound so tight it could barely beat.

"Mommy..." he whispered-so soft, it was almost swallowed by the air.

He was sure. Absolutely sure. He'd seen her before-not in person, but in the only photo his father kept locked away. A wedding picture, half-hidden in a drawer.

The woman beside his father in that photo...

It was her.

The same warm eyes. The same soft smile.

The woman he'd imagined in his dreams a hundred times.

Juliette's heart clenched. She reached out and held his tiny hand-so small and delicate she could feel every bone.

"Mommy's here, sweetheart. I'm sorry I kept you waiting. Wait a second, baby... why are you so skinny?"

She bent over, gently rubbing his little hands, her heart aching.

Julian had been born with congenital health problems-was that why he looked so fragile?

Wrapped in Juliette's warm hands, the frost that had coated Julian's heart started to melt like snow under the spring sun. So this... this is what Mommy feels like.

He really, really liked her.

One of her subordinates approached awkwardly and said, "Boss, according to the info we found, the young master of the Cross family has had autism since he was little. It's possible there are some mental-"

He didn't even finish his sentence before Juliette shot him a cold, razor-sharp look.

"Who said he has autism?" Her voice was ice. "Julian is just a little introverted, that's all. He's perfectly fine-he just hasn't had the right guidance."

The subordinate shrank back under her glare.

Julian's deep black eyes lit up just a little.

Everyone else called him a broken kid, but this beautiful mommy... she didn't think he was disgusting.

"Mommy..." he murmured again, a small smile tugging at his lips. His hands tightened around hers, clinging to her like a lifeline.

The subordinate blinked in shock.

Was that a smile?!

Wait-wasn't the Cross family's little master supposed to be so withdrawn that he never smiled?! But now... in front of their Boss?

"See that?" Juliette beamed and kissed the bottom of Julian's chin. "My Julian is such a sweetheart! That smile was amazing, baby. Keep smiling like that, okay? You're so handsome when you smile!"

Julian's eyes sparkled again. Mommy praised him!

But just then, a man's cold, commanding voice echoed from nearby:

"Juliette Brooks, who gave you permission to touch him?"

Juliette looked up in shock and saw Logan striding over. He reached out, grabbing her wrist, pulling Julian behind him

protectively.

His face was filled with fury.

Juliette smiled.

The man standing before her was more powerful and composed than he'd been five years ago.

But she was no longer the naive woman who once lived for love.

"Julian, go wait in the car. Daddy's taking you home."

His tone softened instantly when he addressed his son-his entire aura warming as he spoke gently.

But Julian didn't move. He kept his eyes fixed on his mommy, lips pressed into a stubborn line.

"Julian, be good. Let Daddy talk to this lady for a moment." Logan's gaze lingered meaningfully on Juliette.

Julian bit his lip, eyes fierce and unmoving. He wasn't listening at all.

He didn't want to leave mommy. He was afraid if he did... he'd never see her again.

"Julian. I'll say this one last time. If you don't go, I'll have Filan come get you."

Julian knew what that meant. With his father's personality, if he stayed, it might cause trouble for mommy.

He didn't want that. He didn't want to hurt her.

He angrily shook off Logan's hand and stormed off, eyes full of frustration.

Watching his son head toward the car, Logan finally exhaled. Filan was waiting outside-he'd handle things

from here.

As for nearly losing the little master earlier... Filan would be dealt with later.

Right now, the priority was this woman.

Five years.

She hadn't cared about Julian's life or death for five damn years. And now she dared show her face?

"Why are you here?" Logan's voice was like ice. "Now, after all these years, you suddenly remember the child you abandoned? Let me warn you, Juliette-stay away from my son!"

Juliette laughed coldly, a powerful aura radiating from her.

"But Julian is also my son. I carried him for nine months, nearly died giving birth to him. Why should you be the only one allowed to claim him?"

If she hadn't been broke and desperate-if Julian hadn't been born sick-she would never have handed him over to the Cross family with a broken heart.

"Your son?" Logan sneered. "You really think you're a good mother?"

"You gave birth to him and vanished without a word. Now you want to waltz back in and play the devoted mom? Yes, you gave birth to Julian-but besides that, what have you done for him? What part of his life, his growth, have you been there for?"

He narrowed his eyes, voice colder than ever.

"Not every woman who gives birth is qualified to be called a mother."

Juliette frowned, heart aching for Julian.

He was right. She hadn't been there for her son. That was her deepest regret.

But she would fix it-starting now.

She would make sure Julian knew: his mother was finally home.

"I suggest you stay in your lane," Logan said sharply, turning to leave. "Don't blame me if I stop playing nice."

Juliette turned as well, walking briskly down the hallway.

"Find out everything you can about the Cross family. I'm going in."

Her subordinate choked in surprise, coughing violently.

When he finally regained composure, he stammered,

"Boss... you're going to the Cross residence? To see the little master directly?"

"Exactly." Juliette nodded without hesitation.

"They say, 'If you want the cub, you go into the tiger's den.'"

The subordinate hesitated, then said carefully, "Boss... I might have an idea. But it's a little... complicated."

***