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He came back the next day.

Sausage rolls and chocolate brownies — the things Lily liked from the café down the road. Lily thanked him politely and spent the meal talking to me. Not one look in his direction.

Julian sat at her bedside for a while after. He tried to start a conversation. She stared at the ceiling. He left.

The following evening, he came in just before visiting hours ended. I was stepping out to refill the water jug. He caught me in the corridor and pulled me into his arms before I could move away.

His voice was unsteady.

"I found out what happened. I spoke to the security guard who was on duty that day." He paused. "It was Victoria. She told them that on my behalf. They didn't question it."

I let him hold me. I didn't respond.

"I didn't know." His voice cracked. "I didn't know she would do something like that. I'm so sorry. I'll let her go."

This was, objectively, what he should have done years ago.

I pushed away gently and went to the room. I came back with a folder.

"Lily stays with me. Everything else, take a look and if it seems fair, sign it."

The folder fell from his hands. He reached for my shoulders.

"Can we try again? Properly? No Victoria, no distractions — just us."

"Three years ago," I said, "if you'd said this, I would have wept with gratitude."

He flinched.

"You know where to find me. But don't wait too long — Ashford Technologies' IPO can't afford a prolonged court fight."

I went back to Lily's room.