Chloe froze in place, the coffee cup in her hand nearly slipping, her face a mask of shock as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

It was hardly surprising. Julian had always spoken to her in soft whispers, never raising his voice, let alone speaking harshly, terrified of letting her suffer even the slightest grievance, treating her like a fragile porcelain doll.

Even I was startled by