“Julian,” he says, voice smooth as polished stone. “Finally.”
Simone’s eyes snap to me, bright with something that isn’t surprise.
Satisfaction.
The sight of her makes the few last week’s replay in my mind, Lucy walking away from my office, the look in her eyes, the way I didn’t chase her because I thought I had time.
I don’t look at Simone again.
I look at Darren Kline.
“Mr. Kline,” I say evenly. “I apologize in advance.”
Darren’s expression hardens. “In advance?” he repeats, sharply. “No, Mr. North. You’ve already messed up. If anything, apologize for that.”
Richard leans back like he’s enjoying the show.
I let out a single laugh, not amused, not friendly. Just… real.
“I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do,” I say.
Darren’s brow furrows.
I nod once to Caleb.
Caleb steps forward and places a folder in front of Darren Kline. Thick. Tabbed. Labeled. The kind of folder that doesn’t exist unless someone has been digging for blood.
I keep my eyes on Darren as I speak.
“I’m apologizing for what you’re about to learn.”
Darren’s gaze drops to the folder. He doesn’t open it yet. His hand rests on it, as it might bite.
Richard’s smile thins. “Careful, Julian.”
I finally look at my father.
And I let him see it.
Not anger.
Not emotion.
Not pleading.
Just the cold certainty that he has crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed.
“I didn’t understand you at first,” I say. “You pushed me to marry. Then you fought my marriage every step of the way. You undermined Lucy. You undermined me.”
Richard’s eyes glitter. “You married in secret and expected applause.”
I ignore him.
“But now,” I continue, voice steady, “I see exactly what this is. You wanted me to follow you. To become you. You wanted me to prove that men like us don’t change. That we don’t soften. That we don’t choose anyone over power.”
Simone shifts in her seat, lips parting like she’s about to say something.
Caleb’s presence at my side feels like a weapon held in reserve.
