Chapter 10 - THE FIRST COLLAPSE
By the end of the week, Vale Holdings began collapsing.
Banks called in loans.
Investors demanded explanations.
Government agencies opened investigations.
Properties were frozen.
Accounts were seized.
Board members resigned.
Julian watched the numbers disappear from his computer screen.
One billion.
Eight hundred million.
Five hundred million.
Three hundred million.
Then one hundred.
The fortune his father had built was vanishing.
Julian called Claire.
She answered.
"Claire."
"What?"
"I need your help."
She almost laughed.
"With what?"
"Everything."
She paused.
"You need a lawyer."
"I need you."
"No."
"I can fix this."
"You had three years."
"I was wrong."
"You were cruel."
"I know."
"You destroyed my life."
"I know."
"Then why should I save yours?"
Julian's voice broke.
"Because I still love you."
Claire closed her eyes.
There was a time those words would have destroyed her.
Now they sounded empty.
"You don't love me."
"What?"
"You love what I represented."
Silence.
"You loved my father's money."
Silence.
"You loved having someone who believed you."
She took a breath.
"And you loved the version of me who never questioned you."
Julian whispered her name.
Claire ended the call.
For the first time, she understood.
Closure would not come from Julian apologizing.
May you like
It would come from her no longer needing him to.
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