Chapter 3: The Truth Beneath the Lies
“I didn’t plan this like you think,” Julian said, running a hand through his hair. “It got… complicated.”
“Complicated?” My voice rose. “You forged my life into a lie!”
“I didn’t forge anything,” he shot back. “You signed the papers.”
The memory slammed into me again.
Hospital. Grief. Trust.
“You manipulated me.”
“I protected myself!” he said. “Your father was cutting me out. I knew it. I had to secure something—”
“So you built another life?”
Eleanor stepped back as if burned. “Another life?” she repeated.
Julian turned toward her. “Eleanor, listen—”
“How long?” she demanded.
He didn’t answer.
Her face crumpled. “How long, Julian?”
“…Four years.”
The room went still.
Eleanor let out a hollow laugh. “So I wasn’t your future. I was your overlap.”
May you like
The little boy tugged her hand. “Mom?”
She pulled him close, her eyes never leaving Julian. “We’re leaving.”
