Chapter 2: The Call He Made Instead
Part 2
Julian didn't move.
He couldn't.
Leo stirred slightly in Teresa's arms, and Julian reached out instinctively, resting one hand on his son's back.
The baby settled.
Julian did not.
Victoria was still talking.
"He's never going to suspect a thing.
You know what he said to me last week?
That marrying me was the best decision he'd ever made." A pause.
Then a low laugh.
"I almost felt bad.
Almost."
Julian's jaw tightened.
Teresa whispered, barely a breath.
"She's been on that call for twenty minutes, sir.
That's not the first thing she said."
He looked at her.
"What else?"
Teresa hesitated.
Then: "She mentioned Leo."
The air left the hallway.
"What did she say about Leo?"
Teresa's voice dropped even lower.
"She said once the marriage was legal, she'd have grounds to push for full household authority.
She called him…" Teresa stopped.
"Tell me."
"She called him a complication she'd deal with later."
Julian's hand went still on his son's back.
From behind the door, Victoria laughed again at something the caller said.
Bright.
Effortless.
The same laugh Julian had fallen for eighteen months ago.
He straightened slowly.
Set his jaw.
Looked down at Leo one last time.
Then he took out his phone and made a call of his own.
---
What Julian did in the next ten minutes made sure Victoria never saw it coming.
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