Chapter 69 - The Photograph Leo Left Behind
The night before Leo left for London, we took one final photograph.
Not at a gala.
Not in a ballroom.
Not in front of investors.
Just in my kitchen.
Julian stood on one side.
I stood on the other.
Leo stood between us.
Then he laughed.
“Why are you both standing so stiff?”
“Because you're making us take a picture,” I said.
“You'll thank me later.”
The camera flashed.
Leo looked at the photograph.
Then he smiled.
“That's a good one.”
I looked at it.
It was.
But I noticed something else.
The photograph from the gala had once represented a family falling apart.
This one represented something completely different.
Nobody was pretending.
Nobody was performing.
Nobody was hiding.
Leo put the photograph on the refrigerator.
“Leave it there.”
“For how long?”
“Forever.”
Julian laughed.
“That's ambitious.”
Leo shrugged.
“Some things deserve to stay.”
The next morning, we drove him to the airport.
There were no dramatic speeches.
No tears until the last minute.
Leo hugged Julian first.
Then me.
“Call when you land.”
“I will.”
“Text too.”
“I will.”
“And don't forget—”
“I know.”
He smiled.
Then he walked away.
I watched him disappear.
Julian stood beside me.
“You okay?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
May you like
This time, I meant it.
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