PART 6: The Aftermath of War
PART 6: The Aftermath of War
Ashes make the best foundation.
By Sunday morning, the social pages of every major digital and print publication across the state had traded their usual society fluff for front-page scandal.
The headline of the Metropolitan Herald read:
"HIGH-SOCIETY WEDDING COLLAPSES INTO FRAUD SCANDAL AS EX-WIFE UNMASKS GROOM’S MEDICAL LIES AND BRIDE’S INFIDELITY."
The viral video recorded by a disgruntled wedding caterer had already surpassed five million views online.
It showed Nathan’s arrogant speech, the dramatic entrance of my triplets, the shattering of the medical records, and Julian Vance stepping in to claim his family like a modern king defending his court.
I sat at the sunlit marble island in my kitchen, sipping a cup of black coffee while the kids played quietly in the adjacent playroom with their nanny.
Julian walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and resting his chin softly against my hair.
"Your phone has been buzzing nonstop since 6:00 AM," Julian murmured, kissing the back of my neck. "Let me guess—Lorraine Caldwell?"
"And Nathan," I sighed, setting my mug down. "He's left four voicemails and a dozen texts begging for a 'civil conversation' to salvage his reputation."
"Block him," Julian said simply. "The legal team already sent a cease-and-desist letter to his personal email. If he tries to approach you or the kids, our security detail will handle him before he even reaches the front gate."
I turned around in his arms, looking up into his sharp, intelligent eyes.
"You didn't have to threaten to dismantle his entire empire, you know," I smiled faintly.
"I didn't threaten him, Claire," Julian replied, his expression deadly serious. "I made a promise. Nobody touches what is mine. Nathan tried to use you as a punchline in front of two hundred people. He got off light."
I reached up, tracing the strong line of his jaw.
Seven years ago, I thought my life had ended when Nathan walked out the door and blamed me for his biological shortcomings. I had believed that being unable to conceive with him made me somehow broken, unworthy of true love or a real family.
It took leaving the darkness of that toxic marriage to realize that I wasn't broken at all.
May you like
I was simply chained to the wrong man.
And now, looking at the life Julian and I had forged together, I knew that every tear I had shed back then was just the price of admission for the peace I possessed today.
