Chapter 19 - WHAT A FATHER OWES
Julian listened to his own recorded voice twice.
The second time hurt more.
He remembered saying it while distracted after Mariner closed. One lazy sentence had become a weapon.
Vanessa was arrested for fraud, conspiracy, evidence destruction, and the kidnapping plan. Ethan faced his own charges. Lauren cooperated.
Julian sat alone in Cesare's office when his father entered.
"Am I going to prison?" Julian asked.
"I don't know."
"Are you firing me?"
"Yes."
Julian nodded.
Cesare placed Emily's original sealed letter on the desk.
"You should have had this years ago. I was wrong to decide when you deserved it."
Julian opened it.
He read slowly.
Emily had written about fear, grief, and Elsie. She had begged him not to make their daughter compete with his ambition, his loneliness, or any future relationship.
Near the end was one sentence that made him put the letter down and cry.
If you ever have to choose between looking important and making our little girl feel important, choose her.
Julian covered his face.
Cesare waited.
Finally Julian said, "I chose wrong every time."
"Then choose differently next time."
"Will Elsie forgive me?"
"That's not a debt you can demand payment on."
Julian resigned that afternoon, turned over every Mariner file, and later apologized to Rosa without excuses. At home, he tore the Vermont application into pieces.
When he opened the bottom drawer to throw them away, he found one last item Vanessa had left behind.
A small black notebook.
On the first page was a list of names.
May you like
And Cesare Bellini's name had a date written beside it.
Tomorrow.
