Chapter 4 - The Unopened Ledger
Back in the city, Julian attended executive meetings like an automaton. His associates noticed his hollow eyes and sharp temper, but nobody dared ask about his personal life. To the financial press, the Sterling empire was thriving.
Late one evening, Julian sat in his office reviewing private financial statements. He found an old leather-bound journal Bella had left behind in her desk drawer. He had assumed it was a personal diary, but as he opened it, he discovered a meticulous ledger.
It wasn't a record of money, but of time.
March 12: Julian promised dinner. Canceled at 8:15 PM.
April 4: First ultrasound. Julian in Tokyo. Doctor showed me the heartbeat; sat in parking lot for an hour alone.
June 22: Nursery shopping. Julian attended via assistant's text messages.
May you like
August 15: False contractions. Julian’s driver drove me to the clinic.
Page after page cataloged his slow, systematic absence. There were no insults, no angry rants. Only facts. Julian closed the journal, burying his face in his hands as a single, quiet sob shook his chest. He had bought her diamonds while leaving her completely bankrupt of companionship.
