Julianne crouched in front of him. “You can say, ‘My family needed a fresh start.’ That’s true, and you don’t owe anyone more.”
He considered this.
“What if Dad calls?”
“Then we’ll handle it together.”
“Do I have to talk to him?”
Julianne’s throat tightened, but she kept her voice calm. “Not before you’re ready. The agreement gives you space too.”
Theo looked relieved and sad at once.
Lily, meanwhile, was more concerned about whether British children liked stickers. Mira assured her that stickers were an international language.
When the children disappeared through the gate, Julianne remained outside longer than necessary.
For years, motherhood had been used against her. Marcus called it her excuse, her limitation, the reason she was tired, the reason she was boring. Yet standing there in the morning chill, watching her children step into a world she had chosen for their safety, Julianne felt the quiet strength of it.
Motherhood had not made her small.
It had taught her how to endure.
Now she wanted it to teach her how to begin again.
That afternoon, Nadine called with an update.
“Marcus is contesting nothing yet,” she said. “Mostly because he has no grounds and several attorneys have likely told him so.”
“Mostly?”
“He may try emotionally. Not legally.”
Julianne leaned against the kitchen counter. “That sounds right.”
“There’s another matter,” Nadine said. “Your grandfather’s trust attorney reached out. With the divorce finalized, certain provisions have activated.”
Julianne frowned. “What provisions?”
“You’ll need to speak with him directly. But Julianne, it appears your grandfather amended the trust shortly before he passed.”
“My grandfather died eight years ago.”
“Yes.”
“And I’m only hearing about this now?”
“The amendment was conditional. It required either your divorce, Marcus’s death, or a documented separation of more than twelve months.”
Julianne felt the room tilt slightly.
