The Diary That Held The Votes Against Me Chapter 07

At first, I didn’t notice him.

I was photographing the dramatic cliffs and pounding surf in front of me.

When I swung the camera back, a familiar face suddenly entered the frame.

He was thinner. He looked worn down, and his hair was much shorter than I remembered.

After a long moment, I decided to be polite.

“It’s been a while.”

Julian looked me over for several seconds before finally managing the same words.

“It’s been a while.”

I gave him a polite nod and turned away. I had no desire to reopen anything from the past.

“Nora, your face…”

My hand instinctively went to where the scar had once been.

The old ridges were gone. Smooth skin met my fingertips, and it hit me again that I wasn’t the disfigured girl

I’d once been.

“I’m sorry.”

I turned back in surprise.

Julian had always been proud. I hadn’t expected an apology from him.

But I had every right to reject an apology that came years too late.

I looked down and adjusted my camera.

“Julian, I don’t accept your apology.”

“It’s been more than three years, and I still remember the way you used to look at me. Like you couldn’t stand

the sight of me.”

“You knew what I was going through, but when it mattered, you cared more about saving face than standing

with me.”

He stepped toward me.

I immediately stepped back, putting distance between us.

His face drained of color.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose. I let Sloane get in my head.”

“Back in school, I used to stay up late helping you study. But every time we had a major test,you kept getting

written up for cheating, and everyone at school heard about it. I was angry, and I let Sloane turn me against

you…”

“Later, I found out she was behind all of it…”

“Nora, I’m not saying any of this because I expect something from you. I just want to make it up to you…”

I had no interest in hearing any more about the past.

“Make it up to me? How? What exactly do you think you’re making up for?”

“I have a good life now. I don’t need anything from you.”

“Julian, what we had wasn’t love, and there’s nothing tying us together now. We were nothing more than a

brief chapter in each other’s lives. That’s all.”

“You used to be the most important person in my life. I depended on you. I wanted your comfort and your

encouragement.”

“But not anymore.”

Whatever hope had been left in Julian’s face disappeared.

He looked down and let out a rueful laugh.

“I had it coming.”

“Nora, I wish you nothing but the best.”

The view was beautiful, but I didn’t stay to enjoy it.

Three months later, after traveling for a while, I came home. Mom began introducing me to her network and

teaching me the business, piece by piece.

The first time I attended an industry reception on my own to meet partners and talk business, I felt

completely in my element, moving easily from conversation to conversation with executives.

Toward the end of the reception, I sat down on a leather sofa to let the last of the wine wear off when a familiar argument reached me.

“What kind of event is this? You know I don’t understand anything about the company. Why did you even bring me here? Just so I could embarrass myself?”

I’d know that voice anywhere.

It was Sloane.

The music at the reception was soft and elegant, so their raised voices quickly drew murmurs from around

the room.

Mr. Bennett was so furious that he hurled his wineglass to the floor and pointed at Sloane.

“With that pathetic merit-exam score, you’ve got the nerve to complain? Do you have any idea how much I’ve spent on your schooling every year? Was all of it for nothing?”

“You can barely get through a basic introduction without stumbling over yourself. What exactly am I supposed to expect you to accomplish?”

“Didn’t you just see Nora? You’ve both got my blood in you. How did she manage to become this successful

while you turned out like this?”

“Sloane, I’ve spoiled you enough. Every time you’ve wanted something, I’ve given it to you. I’ve spent tens of millions on you over the years.”

“And this is how you repay me?”

I scoffed to myself.

So his love had never been unconditional, not for anyone.

He’d spent a fortune trying to turn Sloane into a polished young socialite, but neither her education nor her

manners had kept up.

I picked up my bag and exchanged effortless, polished goodbyes with the executives I’d just finished

negotiating with.

The argument behind me only grew louder, but I’d had enough of the spectacle.

My driver was about to start the car when someone pounded hard on the window.

I turned and saw Mr. Bennett outside, an ingratiating smile plastered across his face.

“Nora, I’m your dad. It’s been so long. I know I was wrong before, but no matter what, you’re still my daughter.

Why don’t we-”

I turned away and spoke to the driver.

“Drive.”

When he’d walked away without looking back when I was five, he probably never imagined this day would

come.

His regret had come years too late to mean a damn thing.