Chapter 16 - JULIAN'S LAST CHANCE
Julian asked to see Claire.
She almost refused.
Then she agreed.
He looked different.
Older.
Broken.
The powerful man from the hotel lobby was gone.
He sat across from her.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Good."
"I don't expect you to come back."
"Good."
He swallowed.
"I just wanted to tell you something."
Claire waited.
"I remember our wedding."
She said nothing.
"I remember you walking toward me."
His voice trembled.
"You were smiling."
"I thought you were the happiest man alive."
"I was."
Claire looked at him.
"For one day."
He nodded.
"For one day, I was."
Then he looked down.
"And then I became my father's son."
Claire felt tears forming.
Not because she wanted him.
Because she finally understood.
He had chosen evil.
Again and again.
No childhood excuse could erase that.
"I am sorry," he whispered.
Claire stood.
"I believe you."
He looked up.
"Does that mean you forgive me?"
"No."
His face fell.
"It means I believe you know what you did."
She walked toward the door.
May you like
"That's all I can give you."
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