Chapter 4 - Kate Was Found in a Small Town—But She Refused to Return to Julian Until He Learned the Truth About His Own Family
Julian found the town at dawn.
Snow covered the streets.
The blue sedan was parked behind a small church.
But Kate was gone.
He entered the church.
An elderly woman stood near the altar.
“She was here.”
Julian approached.
“Where did she go?”
The woman pointed toward a side door.
“She left with a lawyer.”
“Name?”
“Daniel Reed.”
Julian knew the name.
One of the few attorneys in the city who had never worked for the Cross family.
He called.
Daniel answered.
“Julian.”
“Where is my wife?”
“Safe.”
“Put her on.”
“No.”
Julian's jaw tightened.
“I am not asking.”
“That is exactly the problem.”
Silence.
Daniel continued.
“You're used to people obeying you.”
“She is my wife.”
“She is a person.”
The call ended.
Julian stared at his phone.
Then a text arrived.
Come alone.
He went.
An old farmhouse stood outside town.
No guards.
No vehicles.
No cameras.
Julian knocked.
Daniel opened the door.
Kate was sitting near the fireplace.
Pregnant belly visible beneath a gray sweater.
She looked tired.
But alive.
Julian forgot every prepared sentence.
“You're okay.”
Kate nodded.
He took one step forward.
She raised a hand.
“Don't.”
He stopped.
“I just want to talk.”
“I know.”
“I was terrified.”
“I know.”
“I thought someone had taken you.”
Kate's eyes softened.
“For the first time, you understand what it feels like not to know where someone you love is.”
The words hurt because he couldn't argue.
He sat across from her.
“I found out about your mother.”
Kate looked at Daniel.
“You told him.”
“He had a right to know.”
Kate looked at Julian.
“What did you find?”
“The Cross family stole a trust account from your mother's family.”
Kate closed her eyes.
“My mother always said the Crosses ruined everything.”
“I didn't know.”
“I know.”
He frowned.
“How?”
“Because you would never have married me if you did.”
Julian stared at her.
“Would you have married me if I knew?”
She thought about it.
“Yes.”
That surprised him.
“Why?”
“Because I loved you.”
Past tense.
The answer cut deeper than any threat.
“I still love you,” she added.
Julian's heart jumped.
“But love isn't enough anymore.”
He looked down.
“What do I have to do?”
“Nothing.”
“Kate.”
“I don't want you to promise things.”
“Then what?”
“I want you to do them.”
Silence.
“You said you would be home before midnight.”
“I failed.”
“You said no calls after seven.”
“I failed.”
“You said I was your family.”
“You are.”
“But every time someone else needed you, I watched you prove otherwise.”
Julian stared at her.
“I don't know how to fix it.”
Kate's voice softened.
“Start by asking.”
He looked up.
“Can I stay?”
Kate hesitated.
“For how long?”
“Five minutes.”
She nodded.
He stayed six hours.
They talked.
Really talked.
Julian told her about the organization.
About his father.
About the enemies.
About the reasons he believed constant control was protection.
Kate told him what it felt like to be married to a man who loved her but made her feel like she was always second.
“I never wanted your money,” she said.
“I know.”
“I never wanted your power.”
“I know.”
“I wanted you.”
Julian swallowed.
“I know that now.”
Then Kate revealed the final secret.
“I wasn't only preparing to leave.”
His head lifted.
“What else?”
She reached into a drawer.
A medical envelope.
Inside were pregnancy records.
Julian stared.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why?”
Kate looked at him.
“The doctor said the stress is affecting my blood pressure.”
Julian's face went white.
“How serious?”
“It can become dangerous.”
He stood.
“We're going to a hospital.”
“No.”
“Kate.”
“I need rest.”
“You need a specialist.”
“I have one.”
“Who?”
“Dr. Elena Morris.”
The name meant nothing.
Daniel spoke.
“She works independently.”
Julian looked at him.
“Why didn't she tell me?”
“Because she didn't trust that the information wouldn't reach your father.”
Julian looked at Kate.
“You thought my family would hurt you.”
“I thought your family would use you to reach me.”
That distinction hurt.
A car arrived outside.
Kate stood.
“I have to leave.”
Julian's heart dropped.
“Where?”
“Somewhere safer.”
“Take me.”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to know you're not following me because you can't stand losing control.”
He stared.
“And if I am?”
“Then you'll eventually leave.”
She walked to the door.
Julian stopped her.
“Kate.”
She turned.
“I love you.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
Then she left.
He stood alone.
Daniel remained beside him.
“She loves you,” the lawyer said.
May you like
Julian looked at the empty doorway.
“That's what scares me.”
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