CHAPTER 9 – JULIAN'S LAST REQUEST
The criminal trial lasted nearly three weeks.
Evidence filled the courtroom.
Witness after witness dismantled the image Julian had spent years creating.
When the guilty verdicts were finally read, Julian received a sentence that guaranteed he would spend most of the rest of his life behind bars.
As deputies prepared to escort him away, he asked the judge for one final request.
"I'd like to speak to Clara... and Emily."
Several days later, inside the prison visitation room, Clara agreed.
Emily sat quietly beside her.
Julian stared at his daughter through the glass.
"I'm sorry."
Emily looked at him for a long moment.
Then she gently shook her head.
"My mommy said sorry means you stop hurting people."
"You only said it after everyone found out."
Julian couldn't answer.
He turned toward Clara.
"I destroyed everything."
Clara's voice remained calm.
"No."
"You destroyed your own life."
"We're simply living after it."
As she stood to leave, Emily placed the stuffed rabbit against the glass.
"You can keep Bunny."
"I don't need it anymore."
"I have people who tell the truth now."
Julian watched them walk away.
The rabbit remained on the table.
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For the first time in years...
He was completely alone.
