Roman and Julienne's heart desire
Chapter 72: The comfort in crisis

Chapter 72: The comfort in crisis

Silence lingered in the car, heavy and unbroken.

Roman’s eyes slowly widened as he noticed the subtle tremble of Julie’s shoulders.

"Are you... crying?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern.

Julie didn’t answer. She remained still, her face turned toward the window, refusing to look at him.

The car hadn’t even pulled out of the university gate yet—and here she was, silently falling apart.

Without hesitation, Roman shifted closer to her, his hand gently circling around her waist as he pulled her into his arms.

Julie didn’t resist.

She didn’t wipe her tears.

She let them fall—silent, warm, and steady—rolling down her cheeks as her shoulders quivered in his embrace.

"It’s okay," Roman whispered, his voice soft in her ear. But the moment she heard him, her sobs grew louder, her pain overflowing like a dam that could no longer hold back the flood.

Seeing her like that, Roman gently turned her in his arms and wrapped her fully against his chest.

He held her tightly, his palm rubbing slow circles on her back in a soothing rhythm.

"Everything is okay," he said again, patting her gently, like she was fragile enough to break—and in that moment, she was.

From outside, no one could see what was happening in the car.

But unknown to them, a livestream was just coming to an end, the screen showing Roman’s black luxury car pulling out of the university grounds, tinted windows shielding the quiet storm within.

"Roman," Julie’s voice cracked, muffled against his chest, "why is it like this? Why would someone frame me... leak such a video? If they hate me, fine... but what did that lecturer do to deserve this?"

Roman paused, then tightened his arms around her just a little.

"Don’t worry," he murmured, "I’ve already looked into him. If that’s what’s bothering you, I promise, I’ve taken care of it."

Julie slowly raised her teary eyes to meet his. Her expression was full of confusion, pain, and something else—surprise.

"My dear," Roman continued, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek, "you’re still reeling from what happened, but you’re already worried about someone else. You don’t even know him, and yet you care."

A soft smile tugged at his lips.

’She calls me caring...’ he thought to himself, amused. ’But she’s the one who just came out of a nightmare and is still thinking about a stranger.’

He chuckled softly at the thought.

Julie, still crying, blinked up at him with watery eyes, slightly alarmed by his laugh.

She sniffled, her nose red and her voice trembly.

"Am I... that funny?" she asked, her lips trembling between a pout and a tearful smile.

Roman’s eyes widened slightly. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. "No, wait—I wasn’t laughing because you looked funny while crying," he rushed to explain, his tone hurried.

"I was just thinking about you. The way you’re hurting, yet worried about someone else. It just struck me how kind you are."

He smiled, this time warmly.

"You told me I’m the most caring person you’ve ever met... but honestly, Julie, you’re the most caring person I know."

Julie blinked, listening quietly, curled up against his chest like a fragile bird finding shelter.

"Do you know why?" he asked.

She gave a small shake of her head.

"Because I only care about the people close to me—the ones around me," Roman said softly.

"But you... you care about people you’ve never even met. People you don’t know. That’s rare, Julie."

His gaze on her was affectionate, proud.

Like he couldn’t believe someone like her was his.

Julie smiled faintly, her cheeks still stained with tears. "So now I’m more caring than you are?" she teased.

Roman nodded instantly. "Definitely."

"Then," she said, sniffing again, "you better let me take care of you well."

Roman grinned. "If you do, I’ll spoil you rotten."

Julie looked up sharply, her teary eyes widening. "Wait, what? I said take care of you, not spoil—"

"But what I heard was," Roman said, quickly mimicking her voice in a light, teasing tone, "’Please spoil me, Roman... ehm, ehm.’"

Julie stared at him in disbelief for a second—then burst into laughter.

It was unexpected, pure, and bright. The tears hadn’t fully dried on her cheeks, but somehow the laugh broke through the sadness like sunlight after rain.

Even Enoch, the ever-stoic driver in the front seat, couldn’t hold back a smile.

Is that really my boss mimicking a girl’s voice? he thought, his shoulders shaking with quiet laughter.

"Roman," Julie said between giggles, "you’re so ridiculous sometimes."

Roman didn’t respond. He just watched her with softened eyes, his arms still protectively wrapped around her.

Her laughter gradually faded, and she leaned her head against his chest again.

For a while, they stayed like that—wrapped in a fragile peace—tucked away from the noise of the world.

Outside the car, chaos reigned. Online, social media platforms were buzzing with reactions to the leaked video, discussions raging like wildfire.

But inside the car, for just a moment, it was quiet. Warm. Safe.

And in Roman’s arms, Julie could finally breathe.

Meanwhile, away from the university...

The internet was in chaos.

Clips from the now-viral livestream had exploded across social media platforms.

Roman’s sleek black car, the emotional girl beside him, and his gentle, protective hand holding hers—every second had been recorded, screenshotted, analyzed, and reposted.

"Wait—that’s Roman Thompson??"

"Is that his girlfriend?"

"The way he held her hand so protectively... I’m crying."

"She’s from that scandal video—what’s really going on?!"

And deep in the heart of the city, in an apartment wrapped in velvet luxury and glass chandeliers, Aunty Laila stood frozen, a silk scarf hanging loosely around her neck.

Her phone screen was still playing the now-muted clip, Roman’s hand gently wrapping around a girl’s trembling one as he guided her into his car.

Her face twisted in disbelief.

"This is what he left Miranda for?" she hissed under her breath.

The girl in the video didn’t speak, but it was clear she’d been crying. _{fr\(e)ew(e)b.(n)o (v)(e)l.com}

The way Roman leaned in, whispered something, and squeezed her hand gently—Laila saw everything she didn’t want to.

Affection. Intimacy. Protection.

And none of it was for the girl she’d chosen.

Her phone shook slightly in her grip. She’d swallowed enough insults on Miranda’s behalf.

First, Roman broke the engagement. Then he ignored every call. Now this?

"Oh no. This girl," she muttered, "this girl must have bewitched him."

She hit a number on speed dial and brought the phone to her ear, pacing angrily across the marble tiles.

One ring.

Two rings.

Then a familiar, composed voice answered.

"Laila," said Grandma Lisa, calm as ever.

"Mother," Laila said quickly, "have you seen the video? The one going viral?"

A soft chuckle drifted through the phone. "I have, dear. The whole country has, I believe."

"You’re laughing?" Laila nearly shrieked. "Did you not see how Roman was holding that girl’s hand like they were in some melodrama? He walked right out of a scandal and into a scene fit for the movies! People are calling her his girlfriend!"

"And so?" Lisa said, still unbothered. "Roman is a grown man. He chose her."

Laila nearly dropped the phone. "Mother, that girl is the same one from the video scandal. It’s everywhere! What kind of family name are we building when Roman is caught on camera supporting someone with that reputation? And in public?"

Lisa’s voice remained calm, but there was steel behind it now. "That girl, as you keep referring to her, has a name—Julie. And I’ve met her, Laila. She’s kind, soft-spoken, respectful. Roman brought her to me personally, and I approved."

Laila was silent for a heartbeat. Then she scoffed. "You approved her?"

"She may have her past, Laila," Lisa continued, "but there’s strength in her. I saw it in her eyes. Pain too, but grace beneath it. And if Roman stands by her even now—then she must be worth it."

Laila’s frustration spiked. "You don’t think she seduced him? That maybe Roman is acting out because of some emotional trap? He never used to care for girls like this. He used to keep a distance, and now—this?"

Grandma Lisa’s voice softened, but it didn’t waver. "Perhaps that’s why she’s different. Because for once, he’s not keeping his distance. He’s standing close. Even holding her hand in public, without shame."

"She’s dragging him into a scandal!" Laila snapped.

"She’s going through a scandal," Lisa corrected firmly, "and he’s standing beside her. That, to me, is character."

A pause.

Then Lisa added quietly, "I was actually on my way to the house before you called. Not because of the video. Just to spend time with Roman and check in."

"Do you even know the full story?" Laila asked, folding her arms.

"I don’t," Lisa admitted. "But I trust Roman’s choices. And I trust what I’ve seen in that girl. And until I hear otherwise from his mouth—not gossip, not headlines—I’ll stand by him."

"Mother—"

"Laila," Lisa cut in gently. "Please don’t go storming into this like it’s war. If you truly care about Roman, let him explain when he’s ready."

Click.

Laila blinked at her phone. She’d been cut off.

Again.

She stared at her reflection in the glass window. Her pride stung, and her blood boiled.

That girl—Julie—had somehow wormed her way into Roman’s life, and now even Grandma Lisa was defending her?

No. This wasn’t over.

Back in Roman’s home...

The car had pulled in. Julie walked quietly beside Roman, her hand still in his, her body language smaller, more reserved, as though the weight of the day hadn’t fully lifted.

Roman didn’t say anything as they stepped into the private elevator—just gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Inside his home, warm lights welcomed them. Julie looked around, then at him. "You didn’t say much on the way."

"I didn’t want to overwhelm you," Roman replied. "Too much has already happened today."

She nodded faintly. "And... online?"

Roman exhaled. "A storm. But let them talk. I’ll handle it."

Julie’s lips parted like she wanted to say something, but then she stopped.

Roman turned to face her fully and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"I’m here," he said. "And I’m not going anywhere."

Her eyes softened. "Even if they all turn against me?"

"They won’t. And even if they did..." he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, "...I won’t."

As they moved toward the living room, Roman’s phone buzzed.

A text from the housekeeper:

"Madam Lisa just arrived. She’s in the garden."

Roman glanced at Julie and smiled.

"Looks like my grandmother came faster than expected."

Julie froze. "Is she upset?"

Roman shook his head. "Not at all. She might be the only calm soul in this chaos."