She did not look angry.
She looked disappointed.
And somehow, that seemed to hurt Elena more.
Chloe continued.
“You missed my first job. You missed Stella’s graduation. You missed Charlotte becoming a nurse, Violet graduating from college, Evelyn’s first art exhibition, and Maya’s first day of school.”
“I can explain—”
“You missed everything.”
Elena began to cry.
“I was trying to build a life.”
“So were we.”
For the first time that afternoon, Elena had nothing to say.
Then Julian stepped forward.
“This has gone far enough.”
He straightened his jacket and addressed the room with the practiced confidence of a businessman used to managing difficult situations.
“This is a family disagreement, and I think everyone would be better served by allowing it to remain private.”
Chloe looked at him.
“You’re the man my mother left us for. You don’t get to decide what we discuss.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“I understand you’re upset, but you don’t know the full circumstances.”
