Chapter 8 - October 14
We returned to the study.
Julian closed the door.
“What happened in 2009?”
I sat in your father’s chair.
For seventeen years, I had believed keeping the truth from Julian protected him.
Now silence was protecting Chloe.
“Your father made a terrible financial decision.”
Julian stared at me.
“What kind?”
“He borrowed against part of the company without telling the board.”
“Why?”
“To save a manufacturing division.”
“He thought thousands of jobs would disappear.”
“Was it illegal?”
“Not initially.”
I forced myself to continue.
“But when the lender demanded repayment, your father moved money from a restricted account temporarily.”
Julian went still.
“That was illegal.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“I discovered it.”
“I forced him to return every dollar.”
“We sold personal property.”
“We mortgaged this house.”
“Nothing was ultimately lost.”
“But the transaction happened.”
Julian looked devastated.
“Did anyone else know?”
“Your father.”
“Me.”
“Our accountant.”
“And apparently Chloe.”
He walked toward the window.
“How could she know?”
I thought about Andrew’s father.
Tax fraud.
Secret recordings.
Blackmail.
Chloe did not simply find wealthy men.
She found their families’ weakest secrets.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Chloe spoke without greeting.
“Now he knows.”
Julian stepped closer.
I placed the call on speaker.
“What do you want?” I asked.
Chloe laughed softly.
“Your son.”
“You never wanted him.”
“Don’t tell me what I want.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
Chloe continued.
“I want the wedding to happen.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“The old transfer records go to the board, the press, and federal investigators.”
Julian spoke.
“You’re blackmailing my mother?”
“No, darling.”
“I’m giving your family a choice.”
His face twisted when she called him darling.
“What choice?”
“Marry me as planned.”
“Stop investigating me.”
“And your mother’s secret stays buried.”
Julian looked at me.
I shook my head.
Do not agree.
He understood.
Then he said something I did not expect.
“Fine.”
My heart stopped.
Chloe became silent.
Julian repeated it.
“The wedding happens.”
I grabbed his arm.
He pulled away.
“Julian.”
He looked directly into my eyes.
His expression was unreadable.
“Nine days.”
Then he ended the call.
I whispered, “What have you done?”
He answered so quietly I almost missed it.
“What Dad should have done seventeen years ago.”
May you like
Then he walked out without explaining another word.
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