Chapter 10 - The Meeting
Julian arrived alone.
No lawyer.
No mother.
No excuses.
His wife sat across from him in a quiet office.
She wore the same off-white suit.
The bruises were fading.
Julian noticed them.
He looked down.
“I did that.”
She didn't answer.
“I know what you're going to say.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You don't.”
Julian swallowed.
She opened the red folder.
“I stayed because I thought you were going through something.”
He looked at her.
“I thought if I gave you time, you'd remember who you were.”
She turned a page.
“You didn't.”
Another page.
“You became worse.”
Julian whispered:
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Being ordinary.”
She stared at him.
“You weren't ordinary.”
“I know.”
“You had a wife who loved you.”
“I know.”
“You had a home.”
“I know.”
“You had a family that trusted you.”
Julian's eyes lowered.
“And you still needed more.”
He couldn't answer.
She closed the folder.
“I don't want your money.”
Julian looked up.
“I don't want your businesses.”
She continued.
“I don't want your apology if it's only because you lost control.”
His voice cracked.
“Then what do you want?”
She answered:
“I want you to understand that the woman you thought you could intimidate is the woman who kept the entire family standing while you were tearing it apart.”
Julian looked at her.
“I am sorry.”
She nodded.
“I believe you.”
He seemed surprised.
“But I'm still leaving.”
Julian closed his eyes.
“I understand.”
Then she pushed one final document toward him.
He looked down.
It was an accounting report.
The amount diverted from the business was enormous.
Julian stared.
“I didn't know it was this much.”
She answered:
May you like
“That is the problem.”
👉 Julian finally admitted remorse—but the financial records showed that his betrayal had created consequences far beyond their marriage.
