Chapter 3 - The Reunion
Julian stepped out of the car, carrying the sleeping Toby in his arms. He walked through the glass doors of the rundown diner. It smelled of stale coffee and grease.
Standing behind the counter, wearing a faded pink uniform, was Claire. Her hands were raw from washing dishes, and dark circles shadowed her beautiful, kind eyes. But to Julian, she was the most breathtaking woman in the world.
Claire dropped a stack of ceramic plates. They shattered against the linoleum.
"Toby," she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
Julian walked over and gently placed the sleeping boy into his mother’s arms. Claire collapsed into a vinyl booth, burying her face in Toby’s neck, sobbing with a primal, agonizing relief that shattered the last remaining pieces of Julian's heart.
Toby stirred, opening his heavy eyes. "Mommy?" he whispered.
"I'm here, baby. I'm right here," Claire wept, kissing his cheeks, his forehead, his hands.
Julian slid into the booth across from them. "Claire... I am so sorry. The photos. The bank statements. My mother..."
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"I know," Claire whispered, looking up at him, her eyes fierce despite the tears. "She hired an actor. She hacked the accounts. She told me that if I fought her in court, she would bankrupt me and make sure I went to prison for fraud. She told me the only way to keep Toby out of the foster system was to walk away and let you have full custody."
"I was blind," Julian said, reaching across the table to take her rough, calloused hand. "But my eyes are open now. And I am going to burn her empire to the ground."
