Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze for a second, but I soon forced a calm smile and shook my head. “Nah, you’re mistaken.
“That’s not our car. Probably just some lost driver passing through.”
He paused, then added, “Oh, by the way, you’ve been here for days. Have you checked in with your wife?”
“Yeah, I let her know I’m okay. She’s relieved,” I replied, nodding quietly.
“Good to hear. The cleanup’s almost done here. Just got word from the mountain, that the final phase of the fire’s been fully extinguished.”
Kennedy’s voice brimmed with relief, his face softening. “Julian, this battle against nature’s wrath? It’s over.
“Tomorrow, we head back to base. We’re going home.”
Cheers erupted from the Team Two firefighters around us.
The prospect of returning home lifted everyone’s spirits.
Everyone except me.
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
I wasn’t sure I even had a home to return to.
2/8
Elizabeth’s silhouette as she’d driven away lingered in my mind, and a bitter pang twisted in my chest.
Elizabeth, how am I supposed to trust you?
One minute, you’re tearing through the camp, frantic to find
- me. The next, you’re in your car, all smiles, chatting sweetly on the phone.
That was Callum, wasn’t it?
I’d seen it all, and the image was seared into my heart.
A familiar wave of sorrow surged, threatening to pull me under.
Elizabeth doesn’t really care about me…
This time, I buried that grief deep, refusing to let it consume me.
One by one, the others were dropped off. By the time we got back to the station, most of the truck was empty.
Those whose homes weren’t on the route leaped out, practically sprinting to get back to their families.
I was the last to step off, moving slowly,
My odd behavior caught Kennedy’s eye. He called out to me, his voice tinged with concern. “Julian, hold up.”
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
“What’s up, Mr. Adams?”
3/8
“Nothing, just… Where’s your place again? I could’ve sworn it
was on our route.”
“You’re wiped out, man. You got it wrong. My place is that way,” I said with a chuckle, pointing in the opposite direction.
He didn’t press further, just shook his head with a wry smile. “Guess I’m getting old, memory’s shot. Alright, I won’t keep you. Go home.”
“Will do, Mr. Adams.”
After parting ways, I headed to the dorm, splashed water on my face, and changed into clean clothes. I grabbed my suitcase, ready to leave.
I wasn’t ready to tell the team about my divorce.
That meant I couldn’t stay in the station dorms for now.
Now, I had no idea where to go.
Standing at the dorm’s entrance, I stared out at the familiar street beyond the station. It should’ve felt like home, but it struck me as foreign, hollow.
Five years of marriage, and while my savings didn’t match Elizabeth’s wealth, I’d poured most of what I had into our life together.
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
4/8
With our divorce proceedings yet to begin, all my assets were tied up in our joint accounts. I had barely a dime to my name.
“If it comes to it, I’ll crash at a hotel for a few days,” I muttered, gripping my suitcase handle. “Once the divorce is finalized and the assets are split, I’ll figure out what’s next.”
But before I could take a step, a sharp, furious voice cut through the air. “Julian!”
I looked up, startled to see Elizabeth standing there, her eyes blazing.
“What are you doing here?”
“Why can’t I be here? Are you scared to face me?” she shot back.
She stormed toward me, stepping out of her sleek luxury car, her presence icy and commanding. Her voice was sharp enough to slice through the morning air.
“Why would I be scared of you?”
Her accusation made me bristle, my tone hardening.
“Because you pulled a stunt to deceive me,” she snapped. “You know I follow Buddhist principles, and I despise liars.
“And you still won’t own up to it?”
Elizabeth was shorter than me; however, she was fierce. As she glared up, her righteous fury made it feel like I was the one in
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
the wrong.
“Own up to what? What did I lie about?”
I stared at her, genuinely baffled.
5/8
This woman’s always swamped, running her company, and visiting temples, and now she’s got Callum and Gideon to keep her busy. Her life’s full.
Why’s she wasting time on someone as insignificant as me?
“How about you tell me?” she pressed.
“That farewell letter you left,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “What was that supposed to be? Not a deception?
“And I know you got back today. Were you at the wildfire site. last night? Did you really not see me, or were you hiding on purpose?”
Her questions came rapid–fire, each one laced with a mocking
sneer.
“Julian, did you think your pathetic fake death act would make me cave? Make me care about you, maybe even choose you over Gideon?”
She let out a cold laugh. “Dream on. That’s never happening.
“I’ve got the resources to find out if you’re lying, and trust me, it’s child’s play.”
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
Her anger didn’t relent. If anything, it flared hotter.
Last night, she’d gone home to Callum and Gideon’s warmth, but her mind had been elsewhere, tangled up in thoughts of Julian.
6/8
The evening had dragged on, and this morning, she’d rushed to the office, anxiously awaiting Edward’s report.
The moment Edward came in and told her the news, Elizabeth’s heart rate quickened involuntarily. She was both anticipating and dreading the outcome.
When Edward confirmed that Julian was alive, the weight on Elizabeth’s heart finally lifted completely.
Once relieved, a tidal wave of fury surged within her!
If Julian’s alive, why hasn’t he called? Why’s his phone still off?
With all those firefighters around, was he really too busy to even charge his phone?
From that moment, she’d convicted him of orchestrating a cruel
ruse.
She was furious. She’d never imagined that her husband, the man she once vowed to spend a lifetime with, would stoop so low as to compete with a child for her attention.
“Elizabeth, you done?” I said, my voice flat.
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
“If you’re finished, go. I didn’t lie to you. Every word in that letter was the truth.
“You don’t need to deny anything, and I don’t care what you think of me. It’s irrelevant.
“Just stay out of my way from now on.”
I met her furious, self–righteous glare with calm detachment. The scene almost struck me as absurd.
7/8
After everything, after all we’ve been through, does she really still believe there’s anything left between us?
Elizabeth stared at my calm expression, her fiery anger fizzling out, replaced by a sudden, disorienting panic.
Julian was always composed. She’d seen him like this before.
But this time, that calm didn’t comfort her. It shook her. It felt like something important had slipped through her fingers without her even noticing.
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice flat.
“If you’re done, I’ve got a break to enjoy.”
I had no patience left for her games. With a glance, I turned to leave.
Chapter 11 Julian’s Not Dead
But before I could take a step, Elizabeth’s hand shot out,
gripping my arm.
