Chapter 14
The autumn chill had returned, painting the sycamore trees outside the apartment window in brilliant shades of amber and crimson, marking the exact rotation of the earth since they had walked out of the glass-and-marble fortress across the city. Inside the second-floor walk-up, the space was alive with the chaotic, beautiful sounds of a toddler learning how to conquer the world.
Little Maya, now a year old, wobbled unsteadily across the worn hardwood floor, her tiny hands outstretched toward a plush stuffed bear while letting out delighted squeals of triumph. Clara sat on the floor nearby, laughing as she caught the toddler just before a gentle tumble against the sofa leg. Her dark hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, her face flushed with natural vitality, completely free of the shadows of exhaustion that had haunted her twelve months prior.
The front door unlocked with a familiar turn of the key, and Julian walked in, carrying a small, plain cardboard box from the neighborhood bakery. He wore a simple blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his briefcase slung casually over one shoulder. He stopped in the doorway, a wide smile spreading across his face as Maya immediately abandoned her bear and toddled over to wrap her arms around his ankles.
Julian dropped to one knee, scooping the laughing toddler up into his arms and pressing a loud kiss to her cheek. “Look at you running around like a professional marathoner,” he beamed, carrying her over to Clara.
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Clara stood up, walking into his open embrace, leaning her head against his shoulder as Julian wrapped his free arm around her waist, holding them both close. On the small wooden table nearby sat the plain white bakery box, tied with a simple piece of red twine instead of a silver ribbon. Inside were almond croissants, purchased not with corporate expense accou
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