Chapter 24 - Julian And Me
Julian was fifty-two when we spoke longer than one sentence for first time since divorce.
Annual shareholder meeting.
He had announced intent to sell remaining 10% over five years.
Employee trust and institutional minority would purchase.
After meeting, he waited near elevator.
“Elena.”
I stopped.
“Yes?”
“Can I ask one thing?”
I could leave.
I stayed.
“Okay.”
“Did you ever think I married you only for shares?”
I considered.
“At first after wedding, yes.”
He nodded.
“Do you now?”
“No.”
His eyes closed briefly.
“Thank you.”
“That doesn’t make what you did smaller.”
“I know.”
Then:
“I loved you.”
“I know.”
“And still used you.”
“Yes.”
He looked older.
“I spent years wanting one fact to erase other.”
“It doesn’t.”
“No.”
Silence.
Then I asked something I had never.
“Why did you let her into bed after the search?”
He almost laughed.
“Still?”
“I know facts. I want your memory.”
“She cut hand. She started crying about Dad. Richard. Said everything slipping. I told her leave. She sat. Then lay down because dizzy. I was exhausted. I thought I’d get her out before you came upstairs.”
“Then fell asleep.”
“Yes.”
“And when you heard me?”
“I knew how it looked.”
“So you closed eyes.”
“Yes.”
“Coward.”
“Yes.”
We both almost smiled.
Then:
“If you had gotten certificate?”
“It was obsolete.”
“I know.”
“What would you have done?”
“Used number to fill proxy packet and put it in front of you at brunch.”
“Would you have forged?”
“No.”
I believed.
“Would you have pressured?”
“Yes.”
Also believed.
Then:
“Do you regret telling truth against Victoria?”
“No.”
“Do you regret marriage?”
He looked at me.
“No.”
That surprised.
“Why?”
“Because loving you was real. Failing you was also real. I don’t want to rewrite one to survive other.”
That was mature.
Too late.
Still.
I said:
“I don’t regret it either.”
He looked shocked.
“It cost me a lot. But it also gave me Dad’s letter when I needed.”
Then elevator opened.
Julian stepped.
“Elena.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
Doors closed.
No reunion.
No kiss.
No friendship promised.
Just end.
The following year, he sold final shares.
Julian Mercer no longer owned Mercer Heritage.
He received fair market value.
Paid taxes.
No debt.
Moved fully away from hotel business.
May you like
The company ceased being family tie between us.
That felt final.
