Chapter 5 - Cracks in the Empire
Julian froze. The sight of Noah—looking like a miniature, carbon copy of himself standing in an oversized painting smock—seemed to physically strike him. The arrogant billionaire posture drained out of him, leaving behind a man who looked profoundly shattered.
"I wasn't yelling, buddy," Julian said, his voice dropping to a gentle, pleading whisper that I hadn't heard since our college days. He took a slow knee on the polished linoleum floor, disregarding his bespoke suit. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I just... I wanted to see your drawings."
Noah tilted his head, unimpressed. "Mommy says loud voices are for the playground, not the office. You owe Mrs. Gable an apology."
A tiny, breathless laugh escaped Julian’s lips, though his eyes shone with unshed tears. He looked up at me, his gaze filled with a desperate, unspoken apology. "He's right. I'm sorry, Mrs. Gable. And I'm sorry, Clara." He stood up slowly, giving Noah one last lingering look before turning to me. "My mother is hosting a family dinner at the Park Avenue estate tonight. Victoria will be there. Come with me."
"Are you insane?" I hissed, stepping closer so the receptionist wouldn't hear. "I would rather walk into a den of vipers."
"Please," Julian whispered, catching my wrist with a gentle, burning touch before pulling his hand back. "I spent the last five years believing you abandoned our marriage because you didn't want the pressure of my family. I believed you destroyed our babies. If what you're saying is true—if my mother and my fiancée engineered this—I need to see it in their eyes when they face you. I need the truth, Clara. For their sake." He nodded toward Noah.
May you like
I looked at Julian, seeing the genuine torment tearing him apart. Victoria thought she had him completely under her control, playing the supportive heiress while pulling the strings in the shadows. It was time to start cutting those strings.
"I won't bring the children," I said coldly. "And I'm not going as your wife. I'm going as the CEO of Purely Petals. Tell your mother to set another plate."
