Chapter 15 - Julian Calls from a CageThree days later, Julian called me from federal holding.
I almost refused.
Then I accepted.
Not because I owed him anything.
Because I wanted to hear what a man like him sounded like without applause.
His voice came through thin and rough.
“Elena.”
I said nothing.
He swallowed.
“They’re saying things about me.”
“Yes.”
“Most of it isn’t true.”
I almost laughed.
He mistook my silence for uncertainty.
“You know how women exaggerate. Clara wanted money. The others want attention. You know how this works.”
There it was.
Even in a cage, he thought the world was still built around his excuses.
“You still don’t understand,” I said.
“What?”
“You’re not calling to apologize. You’re calling to rehearse.”
His breathing stopped.
“You think if you find the right version, someone will believe it.”
His voice hardened.
“You ruined my life.”
“No, Julian. I interrupted your pattern.”
He cursed under his breath.
Then his voice dropped.
“My father won’t let this happen.”
I leaned back.
“Your father already gave Agent Keene three names.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
I let him sit inside it.
Then I said, “You should start worrying about what he traded you for.”
Julian whispered, “You’re lying.”
“Am I?”
May you like
I ended the call.
For once, Julian Ashford was alone with a locked door.
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