CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR – CALM IN THE STORM

As the days turned into weeks, Charlotte found herself growing more and more resentful of Julian's long hours at the office, of the way he seemed to prioritize his business deals over their relationship. She knew that he was doing his best to keep them afloat, to protect their family and their legacy from the von Beckers' relentless attacks. But she couldn't help feeling like she was being pushed to the side, like her own needs and fears were secondary to his ambition and drive. One particularly tense evening, Charlotte found herself alone in their sprawling penthouse, her mind racing with thoughts of all the ways their lives had gone wrong. She had just hung up the phone with her mother, who had called to report yet another snide comment from one of their former friends, and she could feel the anger and frustration boiling up inside her like a volcano ready to erupt. When Julian finally walked through the door, his face lined with exhaustion and stress, Charlotte felt something