Chapter 17 - THE HEARING
The investigation lasted four months.
Four exhausting months.
Not every allegation became a crime.
Not every ugly act belonged in court.
That mattered.
Julian had cheated.
Lied.
Manipulated.
But prosecutors focused on forged documents, diverted funds, false bank submissions, and the attempted asset sale.
Adrian cooperated late.
Very late.
He blamed Julian.
Julian blamed Adrian.
Martin blamed both.
Vanessa cooperated early.
She returned every company-funded gift she could identify.
Including my coat.
I donated it.
I never wanted to wear it again.
The emerald came home.
I placed it in the family vault.
Not around my neck.
Some things need time.
Julian asked to meet me before his plea hearing.
I almost refused.
Then went.
He looked smaller without the hotel lobby around him.
“Did you ever love me?” he asked.
I stared.
“That’s your question?”
“I need to know.”
I thought about nine years.
The openings.
The flights.
The nights designing suites at two in the morning.
The stupid jokes.
The first tiny hotel we renovated together.
“Yes.”
He looked relieved.
“Then why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
There it was.
I leaned back.
“I did.”
He frowned.
“No.”
“I told you I designed resorts.”
“I told you my family had property.”
“I told you Dad worked with trusts.”
“You heard small because small made you comfortable.”
Julian looked away.
Then whispered.
“I could have loved all of you.”
“You had all of me.”
May you like
That ended the meeting.
