Chapter 93 - JULIAN'S SECOND CHANCE
By sunrise, the underground room had become a command center.
Mara spread documents across the table.
Three hundred and eighteen names.
Three hundred and eighteen lives.
Some were former employees.
Some were witnesses.
Some were children.
Some had never known The Circle existed.
I looked at Julian.
“You understand the legal side better than anyone here.”
He nodded.
“I'll help.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because I spent years using the law to protect myself.”
He looked at Noah.
“I want to use it to protect someone else.”
I didn't answer.
He continued.
“I know you don't trust me.”
“No.”
“I know I don't deserve your forgiveness.”
“No.”
“But let me do something useful.”
I looked at him for a long time.
Then I pushed a folder toward him.
“Start with the minors.”
He took it.
“Okay.”
Noah watched him.
“Dad?”
Julian looked up.
“Yes?”
“Are you going to leave again?”
The room became silent.
Julian put the folder down.
“No.”
Noah studied him.
“Promise?”
Julian's eyes filled with tears.
“I can't promise I'll never make another mistake.”
Noah frowned.
“But I can promise I'll never choose someone else over you again.”
Noah looked at me.
I nodded.
He slowly walked toward Julian.
Then he hugged him.
Julian closed his eyes.
He held his son carefully.
I looked away.
Not because I was crying.
At least, that's what I told myself.
Then Mara's phone rang.
She answered.
Her face changed.
“What happened?”
She listened.
Then looked at me.
“Someone has accessed the original bank.”
I stood.
“Richard?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Who?”
May you like
She whispered:
“Your father.”
