Chapter 14 - The New Normal
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Life settled into a beautiful, quiet routine.
My work at the agency was intense and demanding, but incredibly fulfilling. We were tracking a complex, international arms-smuggling ring, and the long hours required my absolute focus. But returning home was no longer a source of anxiety or dread.
Our house, tucked away in a highly secure, private community in Virginia, was a sanctuary. There were no fake smiles required, no cutting remarks disguised as advice, and no constant, exhausting competition for affection.
One Friday evening, I arrived home late, exhausted but satisfied after a major breakthrough in the case. I dropped my keys on the console and walked into the kitchen.
Julian was standing at the stove, wearing comfortable sweatpants and a t-shirt, expertly flipping a steak in a cast-iron pan. The smell of garlic and rosemary filled the warm air.
He looked up as I entered, a soft, genuine smile spreading across his face.
"Rough day at the office, Agent Campbell?" he teased gently, turning the heat down on the stove.
"We finally cracked the shell company routing numbers," I sighed, walking over and wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, resting my forehead against his solid back. "It was tedious, but we got them."
Julian turned around within my embrace, wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head.
"I'm incredibly proud of you," he murmured.
We ate dinner at the small, informal kitchen island, discussing our respective days. There was no grand performance, no need to impress anyone. Just two people who genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
"I received an interesting email today," Julian mentioned casually, pouring us both a glass of red wine.
"Oh? Corporate espionage or just another billionaire trying to buy a rocket?" I joked.
"Neither," Julian chuckled. "It was from a bankruptcy lawyer in Boston. Your father’s firm officially filed for Chapter 11 liquidation this morning. The SEC froze his personal assets pending the fraud trial."
I paused, holding my wine glass. I searched my heart for any lingering trace of sympathy, any residual guilt for not intervening.
May you like
I found absolutely nothing.
"Well," I said simply, taking a slow, satisfying sip of the wine. "I suppose he finally achieved the public recognition he always wanted. Just not the kind he was hoping for."
