Chapter 8: Confronting the Past
Two days later, Julian visited the county detention center to settle the legal proceedings. Sitting behind a thick glass partition, Claire looked strikingly different without her polished styling and diamond jewelry.
""Are you here to drop the charges?"" Claire asked coldly, crossing her arms.
""No,"" Julian replied quietly. ""The police discovered that you’ve been systematically liquidating Clara's personal belongings through a black-market broker for over eighteen months. The charges stand.""
Claire sneered. ""You think you're a hero, Julian? You were blind. You were so desperate for a perfect wife to show off at galas that you accepted everything I gave you without asking a single question.""
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""You're right,"" Julian acknowledged calmly. ""I was vain and weak. I wanted an easy life instead of doing the hard work of grieving and raising my daughter properly. But that ends now. You will face the consequences of your actions, Claire. Not out of my vengeance, but because justice demands it.""
Claire stared at him, finding no anger to exploit—only an unwavering wall of truth.
