Chapter 107
Nora's POV
When I woke, we'd already arrived near the airport.
We found a diner nearby. Julian ordered too much food, and we ate in comfortable silence.
At the terminal, he put the car in park. Neither of us moved.
"Silverton," he said. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Okay. I'll see you then?"
"Count on it." His eyes held mine. "Text me when you land."
I nodded and pushed open the door. "Thank you."
"Anytime you need me, I'm there."
I walked toward the sliding doors, feeling his eyes on my back until I disappeared inside.
---
Julian's POV
I watched Nora disappear into the crowd.
My phone rang. The caller ID made my jaw tighten.
"Father."
"Where the hell have you been?" Thomas Sterling's voice crackled with fury. "I've been trying to reach you for two hours."
"I was occupied." I kept my tone neutral. "What do you need?"
"I need to know why you returned to Aetheria without informing anyone."
So the watchers reported back.
"I visited a friend's grave and took care of some private matters. Is there a problem?"
"Don't play games." His voice dropped dangerously. "You're sticking your nose too deep into Blackwood District. That territory has complications. Powerful people who are my allies."
My grip tightened on the wheel. "If those allies are breaking the law—"
"The law is a tool, not a commandment." His exasperation bled through. "You think you can clean house without consequences? They'll eat you alive."
"Then they shouldn't have left a paper trail."
"Julian—" He paused.
"Fine, forget that for now. Let's talk about your personal situation."
Here it comes.
"I don't have a personal situation."
"Don't insult my intelligence. I know about the girl."
Years of training kept my expression neutral. "Her name is Nora."
"I don't care what her name is. I care that you're jeopardizing everything we've built for some human girl with no connections."
White-hot rage flooded my system, my wolf surging. I forced it down. "Be very careful how you finish that sentence."
"Or what? You'll go against the family for some girl who'll leave the moment something better comes along?"
"You don't know anything about her."
"I know she's the daughter of a labor agitator who got himself killed. I know she's drowning in debt. I know she's exactly the kind of person who sees men like you as a meal ticket."
I pulled to the shoulder, tires screeching. "Listen very carefully. Nora is the most principled person I've ever met. She'd throw my job offer back in my face before compromising her integrity. Which is more than I can say for half your inner circle."
"Julian—"
"I'm not finished. You want to talk about jeopardizing the family? Let's discuss how many of your allies are under federal investigation."
Silence stretched taut.
"You're being naive. This idealism will get you killed."
"Then maybe your legacy deserves to be destroyed."
"Christ. When did you become such a bleeding heart?"
"I didn't take this job to maintain the status quo." I leaned back, exhausted. "I took it to change things."
"With that girl by your side?" His tone shifted. "The Stewart family reached out. If you agree—they're willing to reconsider."
"My engagement to her is permanently cancelled."
"Julian, be reasonable. Katherine would be perfect—"
"I'm not interested in perfection. I'm interested in Nora."
Another pause. "You're making her a target. Even if her motives are pure, she'll never fit in. Every event, people will whisper. Is that what you want for her?"
The words struck deeper than I wanted to admit. I'd imagined this—Nora at political dinners where every glance carried judgment.
"She's not a liability," I said coldly. "She's the woman I'm pursuing. And Father? Remember that I'm the one who signs off on federal contracts in this region."
I ended the call.
---
Nora's POV
My phone buzzed as I climbed the stairs to my apartment.
[Landed safely. Thanks for worrying. :)]
Julian's response came quickly: [Glad you're home. Get some rest.]
I collapsed on my couch, staring at the screen. Then my phone rang. A message from Henry.
Henry.
I sat up straight, wondering if it was about Mom's treatment. "Henry. What's up?"
"Actually, I'm calling because the specialist team thinks we can switch to a new treatment protocol."
"What kind of treatment?"
"New medication combination. Still experimental, but showing promising results. The thing is, it's not widely available yet." He paused. "But I pulled some strings. If you're interested, we can get her enrolled."
I hesitated, worried about potential side effects from the new drugs.
"Nora, normally this program has a long waiting list. But I have connections at the institute. I can fast-track her application," he continued.
Something in his tone made me uneasy. "Henry, I can't let you—"
"You're not asking. I'm offering."
Gratitude welled up. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't have to." He hesitated. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Are you free for coffee now?"
I thought about my exhaustion. But this was about Mom. "Sure. Where?"
"There's a café near the medical center. Can you make it in half an hour?"
"I'll be there."
I changed clothes and headed out, arriving at the café fifteen minutes early. Henry was already there, waving from a corner booth.
"Nora." He stood. "You look tired."
"Long day." I slid into the seat across from him. "Tell me about Mom's treatment."
He explained the protocol—medication dosages, trial timeline, potential side effects. My mother would need to stay at the medical center for the first month of treatment.
"The specialist is willing to waive most of the trial fees," Henry said. "But there are still facility costs. Probably around twenty thousand for the month."
My stomach dropped. "I don't have that kind of money."
"I know." He set down his coffee cup carefully. "I can cover it."
"Henry, no. I can't let you—"
"Hear me out." He leaned forward. "I've wanted to help you for a long time, Nora. Since college, actually."
Something in his expression made my chest tighten.