He Rejected My Future, Gave It To Her Chapter 09

He Rejected My Future, Gave It To Her Chapter 09

A week before my flight, Julian’s mother came to see me.

She was already sitting in the café when I arrived, handbag set neatly beside her, her voice hitting that same patronizing pitch.

“Eleanor, I know Julian made mistakes. But men get tunnel vision with their careers. It’s not personal. You two have been together for years. Don’t throw that away over some girl.”

I stirred my coffee.

“It’s not about her.”

Julian’s mother frowned.

“Then what is it about?”

I looked up.

“Julian.”

Her expression soured.

“You got your spot back. You got Chloe removed from the program. Isn’t that enough?”

I set the spoon down.

“Mrs. Sterling, I’m not here to settle a score. I’m here to tell you not to contact me again.”

She sat there, speechless.

The bell over the door jingled.

Julian came through the door in a rush. The moment he saw his mother, his whole face changed.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

His mother finally snapped.

“I’m looking out for you! Look at yourself. You lost your position, the board doesn’t trust you. If she leaves, what do you have left?”

Julian didn’t look at her. His eyes were locked on me.

“Eleanor, ignore what she said. Please.”

I stood up.

“I’ll let you two talk.”

He was on his feet instantly.

“Let me walk you out.”

“Don’t.”

He followed me to the door anyway.

“Eleanor, I resigned.”

My step faltered.

He seized on that half second of hesitation.

“I took full responsibility for Crestview. Chloe’s gone. She won’t be part of our lives anymore. I know I was wrong. I really do.”

I looked at him.

He’d lost weight. A lot.

The suit that used to fit him like armor hung loose at the shoulders.

But I didn’t feel vindicated. I didn’t feel sorry for him either.

Just a dull, bone-deep exhaustion.

“Julian, you’re only sorry because you lost.”

His face flinched.

“That’s not true.”

“If I hadn’t torn up that script, if the project team hadn’t investigated, if I had just caved and signed that form, would you still be sorry?”

He didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to.

He would’ve called me reasonable.

He would’ve believed everything was back where it belonged, under his control.

A voice came from behind us.

“Julian.”

Chloe was standing on the sidewalk. She looked hollowed out.

“Why won’t you answer my calls? The company is suing me for damages, and I don’t have the money, Julian.”

Julian’s jaw set.

“That’s on you.”

Chloe’s voice broke.

“But you gave me those materials. You told me it was fine to use Eleanor’s work as a reference.”

People on the sidewalk were starting to stare.

Julian looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.

I watched the two of them unravel, and all I felt was how absurd it was.

They were finally turning on each other.

And I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I turned and walked away.

Julian called after me.

“Eleanor.”

I didn’t turn around.

His voice shook.

“Can I hold you one last time?”

I stopped for a few seconds.

Then I kept walking.

Behind me, Chloe’s sharp, ragged sobs mixed with his mother’s accusations.

Arthur’s car was parked at the curb.

He lowered the window.

“Need a ride?”

I looked at him.

“How’d you know I was here?”

He smiled.

“Someone from the team mentioned you were here and probably hadn’t eaten. Figured I’d swing by and grab you a burger.”

I opened the door and got in.

The window rolled up.

Everything outside—the voices, the crying, the wet streets gleaming after the rain—faded away behind the glass.