Page 107 of Wisteria and Cloves
"And if she's upset?" Nicolaus asked, always the practical one.
"Then we support her through it," Julian replied without hesitation. "We don't coddle or shield her from difficult emotions. We just make sure she knows she's not facing them alone."
The clock on the wall ticked steadily, marking the quiet that fell between us. Tomorrow would be a long conversation where I hoped didn’t make her backtrack on the progress she already made.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lilianna
Iwoke to the soft sound of birds outside my window, the pale morning light filtering through the curtains. Today was my first real date with Julian—a thought that sent a flutter of nervous excitement through my stomach as I stretched beneath the covers. It wasn’t until tonight, but the excitement was already there.
I slipped from bed, padding to the bathroom where I took extra time with my morning routine. After a warm shower, I chose a soft dress in a shade of deep teal that brought out the grey in my eyes, paired with comfortable flats just as Miles had suggested. The conservatory would require walking, and I wanted to be prepared.
As I brushed my hair, letting it fall in loose waves around my shoulders, I found myself smiling at my reflection. There wasa brightness in my eyes that hadn't been there before, a quiet confidence beginning to bloom. I applied minimal makeup—just enough to feel polished but not artificial. I wanted Julian to see me, not a carefully constructed façade.
The scent of coffee and something sweet drifted up from the kitchen, drawing me downstairs. The soft murmur of voices and the clinking of mugs welcomed me as I descended the stairs, the light filtering in through the large windows making the room glow with morning warmth. Julian sat near the window, his posture relaxed but attentive as he scrolled through his phone. The familiar calm in his amber eyes was like a steady anchor in the chaos of my mind. Miles stood by the coffee maker, filling my favorite mug with rich, dark coffee. Christopher, ever the early riser, was setting down a plate of buttery croissants, their flaky layers steaming slightly. Nicolaus sat beside Julian having a document open with his tablet next to him.
“Good morning, Lilianna,” Julian greeted me softly, his voice like a comforting melody.
I smiled shyly, smoothing the soft teal fabric of my dress, feeling a little more grounded in their presence. “Morning,” I answered, my voice lighter than I expected. The flutter of nerves in my stomach had settled into a steady excitement.
Miles glanced up and gave me a warm, approving smile. “That dress suits you. Deep teal really brings out the flecks of grey in your eyes.” His gaze was direct but gentle, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks.
“Thanks,” I said, twirling a loose strand of hair around my finger. “I wanted something comfortable but nice… for today.”
Christopher grinned, pushing the plate a little closer. “You’re going to need energy. The conservatory has miles of paths—more walking than you might expect.”
I took a croissant, the buttery layers flaking between my fingers, and bit into it slowly, savoring the rich taste. The quiet easy rhythm of the kitchen was a balm to my nerves.
Julian’s phone buzzed sharply against the polished wood of the table, breaking the comfortable silence. He glanced at the screen, his brows knitting together briefly before a small, pleased smile appeared. “The post is really taking off,” he said quietly.
My heart skipped. “Already?” I whispered, voice barely above breath.
Miles was quicker than I was. Pulling his phone out, his face lit up as he scrolled through notifications. “You’ve gained five thousand followers overnight. Five thousand, Lil. That’s insane.”
I stared at the table, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the number. I knew most of them were following because of the guys, but it was still terrifying.
Christopher was already pulling up the account on his tablet, his eyes widening. "And the comments are all positive. Look at this one:'Your aesthetic is so calming, I've already saved this as inspiration.'And this: 'The way you arranged that forget-me-not speaks volumes. Can't wait to see more of your world.'"
"I... I don't even know what to say," I murmured, taking a sip of the coffee Miles had placed in front of me. The warmth spread through my chest, steadying me. "I never expected people to care about a simple photo."
"It wasn't simple," Nicolaus said, looking up from his tablet. "It was authentic. People respond to that." His blue eyes held mine for a moment, and I found myself drawing strength from his quiet certainty.
I swallowed hard, fingers twitching nervously. “What if they judge me? Or worse... what if it makes my parents angrier?” The thought of the Waycliffes watching and judging every post felt like a shadow lurking just beyond the glow of the screen.
Julian reached over, his hand covering mine in a steadying grip. “This is your space now. You get to set the rules. You choose what to share and when. No one can take that from you.”
Miles nodded, voice low but fierce. “Your story is yours alone. And you’ve got us backing you up. They can try to tear it down, but we’ll build it right back up.”
I glanced at my phone, watching the likes and comments come in almost too fast to read. Some were simple—“Beautiful,” “So inspiring,” “More please!”Others were longer, heartfelt messages from followers who said my words helped them feel less alone.
A surge of warmth spread in my chest. Each notification wasn’t just a number—it was a person. Someone who saw a part of themselves in my story.
“But what if the attention gets too much?” I admitted, a flicker of vulnerability in my voice. “I don’t want to lose myself in all of this. To become just... an image or a brand.”
Julian squeezed my hand gently. “We’ll keep you grounded. This account isn’t about perfection or pressure—it’s about you, in all your messy, beautiful truth. We’ll help you set boundaries.”
Christopher smiled, a teasing sparkle in his eyes. “Besides, if it ever feels like too much, we’ve got a whole pack ready to shield you from it all.”
