Chapter 13 - The Reunited Voice
"Julian?" Sarah’s voice came through the phone, breathless and laced with overwhelming relief. "Cole just radioed the safehouse command center. He said Marcus is detained. Are you safe? Is Lily okay?"
Julian closed his eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath that felt as though it carried three years of compounded grief away with it. "We're safe, Sarah. Marcus is in custody. The nightmare is finally over."
A soft, tearful sob echoed from the other end of the line. "I'm coming home, Julian. The federal marshals cleared my transit papers. I'll be there by morning."
Marcus let out a bitter, mocking laugh from where Cole was holding him against the cold concrete wall. "Enjoy your happy reunion, brother. But a ghost can never truly reclaim the living world. Everyone already thinks she's dead. You'll never get her back legally without a multi-year court battle."
Julian ignored his brother entirely, keeping his attention locked on the phone speaker. "Let them try, Marcus. We've already survived the worst you could throw at us."
Cole shoved Marcus forward, guiding him down the dark maintenance tunnel toward the surface access ladder where backup sirens were finally beginning to wail in the distance. "Let's move. We need to get him to federal processing before his legal team tries any more injunctions."
Julian walked slowly behind them, the heavy weight of the past three years finally lifting from his shoulders. As they emerged from the underground maintenance hatch into the cool night air, the flashing blue and red lights of multiple police cruisers illuminated the alleyway.
Officer Miller was waiting by the open door of a transport van, looking relieved as he spotted Julian walking out of the tunnel unharmed.
"Glad you made it back in one piece, Julian," Miller said, nodding respectfully. "Federal agents just took control of the perimeter. Your brother's offshore accounts have been frozen."
May you like
Julian nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket. His gaze drifted toward the municipal chapel entrance where the shattered wedding was supposed to have taken place. Clara was sitting quietly on the stone steps, wrapped in a warm wool blanket, holding Lily in her lap while a medic checked her vitals.
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