Chapter 6 - THE DINNER INVITATION
At 5:42 p.m., Julian called.
Morgan stared at his name on the screen.
Evelyn nodded.
"You can answer if you feel comfortable. Don't confront him. You don't owe him an explanation right now."
Morgan pressed the button.
"Hey."
"Where are you?"
"Finishing up some things."
Julian laughed lightly.
"Always working. Listen, I made reservations for us tonight."
Morgan frowned.
"Reservations?"
"At Bellamy's. Seven thirty."
Bellamy's was one of the most expensive restaurants in Chicago.
They hadn't eaten there since their fifth wedding anniversary.
"What's the occasion?"
"I've got incredible news."
Morgan glanced at Evelyn.
"What kind of news?"
"Business news. The kind that changes everything."
Her pulse quickened.
"Really?"
"Absolutely. And I want you looking beautiful. Wear the necklace."
There it was again.
The necklace.
Morgan kept her voice steady.
"Julian, why is wearing that necklace so important?"
Silence.
Then he laughed.
"Because I bought it for you, sweetheart. Is that a crime?"
"No."
"Then stop making everything complicated."
His tone changed.
"And bring your driver's license. There's a little paperwork we need to handle afterward."
Morgan felt the room tilt.
"Paperwork?"
"Nothing major. Just some documents connected to our future."
She stared at Evelyn, who was already writing something on a legal pad.
Do not agree to sign.
Morgan took a breath.
"I don't think I can make dinner."
"What?"
"I'm not feeling well."
Julian's voice became cold.
"Morgan, I've spent months putting this opportunity together."
"I'm sorry."
"You always do this."
"Do what?"
"Hold me back."
She closed her eyes.
For years, those three words had worked like a key.
Hold me back.
Whenever she questioned his spending, she was holding him back.
Whenever she refused another loan, she was holding him back.
Whenever she protected her grandmother's cottage, she was holding him back.
But this time, the words didn't make her feel guilty.
They made her feel awake.
"I won't be coming tonight," she said.
Julian exhaled sharply.
"Then don't bother coming home until you're ready to act like my wife."
Morgan looked around Evelyn's office.
At the documents.
At Eleanor's worried face.
At the evidence spread across the desk.
And she answered with a calmness that surprised even her.
"All right."
She ended the call.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Eleanor squeezed her hand.
"That was brave."
Morgan wiped her eyes.
"No. Brave would have been leaving years ago."
Eleanor shook her head.
"Brave is leaving when you finally understand you need to."
That evening, Morgan checked into a small hotel using her own funds and asked the staff not to disclose her room information.
She arranged for an attorney to communicate with Julian about collecting her belongings.
Then she turned off location sharing on her phone.
At 10:16 p.m., Julian sent a message.
You're making a terrible mistake.
At 10:19:
You have no idea what you're ruining.
At 10:23:
Victor says we can still fix this. Just call me.
Morgan stared at the last message.
Julian had finally admitted the connection.
She saved the messages and forwarded copies to her attorney.
Then she placed her phone facedown.
May you like
She had spent eight years answering every demand.
Tonight, she answered none.
