My mother’s son from her first marriage.
The man I had spent years forgiving for his jealousy, his recklessness, his endless requests for money.
He had disappeared from family gatherings after my father died, then slowly returned to my life when Ethan encouraged me to “make peace.”
I stared at the photo.
Julian stood beside Ethan, smiling.
They were not enemies.
They were partners.
“When was this taken?” I asked.
“Two weeks ago,” Grace said.
“Where?”
“Outside Mr. Carter’s downtown office.”
A cold understanding spread through me.
Ethan had not built this alone.
He had chosen people who knew my weak spots.
