Chapter 15
Months later, Vanessa wrote Julian a letter.
He brought it to me unopened.
“I don’t know if I want to read it.”
“Then don’t.”
He stared.
“That simple?”
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“Everything with you sounds simple after the disaster.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“Simple and easy are different.”
He eventually read it alone.
Later he told me only one line.
She admitted the fake pregnancy began because she feared losing him and continued because the attention became addictive.
That sounded true.
Diane’s approval.
Capos congratulating her.
Donors touching her arm.
Julian reorganizing life around her comfort.
Avice being moved away.
The lie grew rewards faster than consequences.
Until one child pointed at a pillow.
Julian folded the letter.
“I don’t love her anymore.”
“Maybe.”
He frowned.
“You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you don’t want to.”
Different.
Feelings decay on their own timetable.
Actions do not need to wait.
He understood.
Then he asked:
“Would you ever have named me underboss?”
“Yes.”
Before.
He looked hurt.
“What about now?”
“Earn the question back.”
That was enough.
He nodded.
No son required.
No imaginary heir.
Just work.
May you like
For the first time in months, I saw relief beneath the disappointment.
Maybe being judged by his actual choices was easier than living inside everybody else’s expectations of what kind of father, son, or future boss he should become.
