Dad scoffed, but Julian’s anger rose instantly.
“You have no idea what he was capable of.”
The hatred between them felt old. Heavy. Personal.
I looked at Julian helplessly.
“So why did you find me?”
His face softened.
“At first? Because of Daniel.”
Dad stood. “I knew it.”
Julian continued anyway.
“My mother never stopped talking about him. Before she died, she gave me letters and documents. She wanted me to find him.”
“And instead, you dated his daughter?”
The silence hurt more than shouting.
“Yes,” Julian admitted. “But I didn’t expect to fall in love with you.”
I laughed through tears.
“Do you hear how insane that sounds?”
“I know.”
Dad slammed his hand on the desk.
“You manipulated her!”
“And you buried the truth first!” Julian shouted.