Chapter 9 - The First Day of School
Before the court hearing, life demanded normalcy. Monday brought Lily’s first day of first grade at the local public elementary school—a deliberate choice Julian made, rejecting the rigid private academies Vanessa had championed.
The morning was a chaotic whirlwind of burnt toast, missing hair ribbons, and a race to pack an apple juice box into an elephant-themed backpack. For the first time in years, Julian’s mind wasn’t occupied with million-dollar corporate tenders or client dinners; his entire universe narrowed to the task of tying a six-year-old’s shoelaces into double knots.
At the school gates, other parents lingered, some casting curious glances at the prominent architect who had recently made front-page tabloid gossip by calling off his society wedding at the altar. Julian held Lily’s hand, completely unbothered by the stares.
Lily stopped at the classroom door, suddenly anxious. She gripped Julian’s thumb. "What if they don't like me?"
Julian bent down, looking straight into her eyes. "You don't need everyone to like you, Lily-bug. You just need to be kind, listen to your teacher, and remember who loves you. Who loves you?"
"You do. And Daddy does from heaven."
May you like
"That’s an army behind you," Julian smiled, tapping her nose. "Now go show them that drawing of the purple dinosaur."
She grinned, released his hand, and bounded through the door. Julian stood by the window for five full minutes, watching her take her seat, before walking back to his car with a swollen heart.
