Chapter 4 - The Scars We Carry
I returned to the penthouse that evening feeling empty. Revenge hadn't brought the satisfaction I craved; it just left a void where my family should have been.
I found Elena in the nursery, singing a soft lullaby to Mia. The moonlight caught the silver streaks in her hair—hair that had been pure, vibrant brown just six years ago. The toll of the streets was etched into every line on her face.
I lingered in the doorway until she turned. “Is it done?” she asked softly.
“He’s out of the company. The authorities are investigating him.” I leaned against the doorframe, suddenly exhausted. “It doesn't fix it. It doesn't give you back the last six years.”
Elena walked over to me. For the first time, she didn't flinch. She looked up into my eyes, searching for the man she had loved in Seattle.
“When I was on the streets,” she murmured, “the hardest part wasn't the cold. It was the resentment. I spent so much energy hating you to stay warm. Letting go of that… it leaves me very tired, Julian.”
“You don't have to let it go,” I said, stepping closer, my heart pounding. “Hate me if you need to. Just stay. Let me provide for them. Let me provide for you.”
May you like
She reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing my jaw. The touch sent a shockwave of electricity straight to my core. “I don't hate you anymore, Julian. I’m just afraid to trust you.”
“I’ll spend the rest of my life earning it back,” I promised.
