Chapter 7 - Julian's Confession)
Julian came to the house before sunrise.
He arrived alone.
No security.
No lawyers.
No Chloe.
Elena met him in the hallway.
For the first time, Julian looked exhausted.
"I didn't know how to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Everything."
Elena crossed her arms.
"Start with Chloe."
"I never loved her."
"That isn't an answer."
"I used her."
"For what?"
"To make you jealous enough to leave."
Elena stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because I couldn't divorce you."
"Why not?"
Julian looked at Daniel.
"Because your marriage contract was designed to trap me."
Elena frowned.
"My father wrote the contract."
"Exactly."
Julian explained that the contract prevented him from receiving anything if he initiated a divorce.
But if Elena left him, he would receive access to certain assets.
"So you tried to make me leave."
"Yes."
"And Chloe?"
"She believed we were going to be together."
Elena shook her head.
"You destroyed her life too."
"I know."
Julian looked at Elena.
"But I wasn't trying to steal your money."
"Then what?"
He lowered his voice.
"I was trying to keep Thomas from getting it."
Silence.
Daniel stared at him.
"You expect us to believe that?"
Julian looked at him.
"You know it's true."
Daniel's expression changed.
Elena noticed.
"You knew?"
Daniel said nothing.
Julian stepped closer.
"Your father discovered Thomas was alive years ago."
Elena's heart pounded.
"And he told you?"
"No."
Julian looked away.
"He told my father."
"Why?"
"Because he needed someone inside Thomas's organization."
Elena stared at him.
"Your father?"
Julian nodded.
"And when my father died..."
May you like
He looked directly into Elena's eyes.
"I inherited the role."
