Chapter 4 - Unraveling the Past
The next forty-eight hours were a blur of lawyers, private investigators, and closed-door meetings.
Julian transformed his estate into a war room. He flew in forensic accountants to rip apart the Sterling Group's history. I spent my days in the private library with Lily, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy, but I couldn't stop watching Julian. He moved with a ruthless, calculated grace, dismantling a dynasty to avenge a man he never knew, simply because that man was my husband.
Late on the third night, I found Julian alone in his study. Only the glow of his laptop illuminated his exhausted face. His tie was undone, his sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms.
"You should be asleep," he murmured without looking up.
"I couldn't," I admitted, stepping into the room. I carried a tray with a fresh pot of coffee and set it on his desk.
He finally looked at me, a tired smile touching his lips. He reached out, his hand wrapping around my wrist, pulling me gently around the desk until I was standing between his knees.
"We found it," he said softly.
My breath caught. "Found what?"
"The original safety reports Michael filed. Arthur Sterling signed off on burying them three days before the fire." Julian's thumb stroked the inside of my wrist, sending shivers up my arm. "I've handed it all over to the federal prosecutor. Arthur will be arrested by sunrise. Eleanor is being investigated for corporate fraud and extortion."
Tears blurred my vision. "It's over?"
"It's over."
I fell to my knees in front of him, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of justice I had been denied for years. Julian immediately dropped to the floor with me, wrapping his strong arms tightly around my waist.
"Thank you," I wept against his neck. "Thank you, Julian."
May you like
He held me fiercely. "You never have to bow your head to anyone again, Sarah. Never."
When I finally pulled back, our faces were inches apart. The air between us cracked with unspoken tension. His gaze dropped to my lips, dark and hungry, and before I could think, he leaned in. His lips crashed onto mine—possessive, desperate, and completely intoxicating.
