Chapter 224 Julian’s Redemption

Chapter 224 Julian’s Redemption


~Julian’s POV~

I stood outside Miranda’s apartment with two heavy grocery bags. My arms were starting to hurt, but I didn’t put them down. I listened to a baby crying inside.

It had been three months since I first came here. Three months of visiting every week, paying bills, and trying to be a father.

I knocked on the door.

Miranda opened it a few seconds later. She wore an old sweater, and her hair was messy. She looked tired, but her face softened when she saw me.

“You’re early today,” she said.

I lifted the bags. “Brought some things. Thought you might need them.”

She stepped aside to let me in. The apartment was small but cozy. Toys were scattered on the floor, and I could smell baby lotion and something cooking.

I went to the kitchen and started unpacking the groceries. Miranda watched from the doorway.

“You don’t have to keep doing this,” she said. “Paying for everything and bringing food.”

I didn’t look at her. I just kept putting things away.

“I want to,” I replied. “It’s the least I can do.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then she said softly, “You don’t have to keep punishing yourself.”

I stopped and turned to her.

“I’m not punishing myself,” I said. “I’m trying to make up for not being here from the start. I was too scared to face what I did.”

Miranda leaned against the counter, crossing her arms.

“You’re here now,” she said. “That matters.”

I nodded and went back to unpacking.

A few minutes later, I heard small footsteps. My son was crawling toward me, his little hands moving quickly. When he saw me, he stopped and looked up with big, curious eyes.

My heart tightened.

I walked over and picked him up. He was getting heavier every week. His small hands reached for my face, grabbing my shirt and chin like he was trying to remember me.

“Hey, little man,” I said quietly. “Missed you.”

He made a happy sound and leaned his head against my chest. I closed my eyes for a moment and held him. No matter how tough my week had been, holding him made everything feel a bit better.

Miranda watched us from the kitchen.

“He’s been asking for you,” she said. “Well, not with words yet. But he gets excited when he hears the door.”

I smiled a little and sat on the couch with him. He started playing with the buttons on my shirt, focused like it was the most interesting thing ever.

“I’m trying,” I said after a while. “With everything. The business. My name. Chard and Lora…” I sighed. “It’s slow. Hard. But I’m trying.”

Miranda sat in the chair across from me.

“They still haven’t forgiven you,” she said, not asking.

“No,” I replied. “And I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t forgive me either.”

She nodded slowly.

“But you’re still here,” she said. “Every week. That has to mean something.”

I looked down at my son, who was trying to put one of my fingers in his mouth.

“I don’t know if it means anything to them,” I said. “But it means something to him. And right now, that’s enough for me.”

Miranda didn’t say anything for a while. She just watched us.

I spent the next hour playing with my son. He laughed at my silly faces and pulled my hair. Every time he smiled, I felt a little lighter.

Before I left, I stood by the door with Miranda.

“If you need anything money, help with him just call. I mean it,” I said.

She looked at me for a long moment.

“I know,” she said quietly.

I nodded and turned to leave, but the sound of her voice stopped me

“Julian.”

I looked back with concern....

“Thank you,” she said. “For showing up. Even when it’s hard.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded and walked out.

Later that night, I sat on my couch and stared at a picture I took earlier. My son was in my arms, looking up at me. I had taken it to remember how he looked at me.

I ran my thumb over the screen.“I’m going to be a better father,” I said to the empty room. “I promise.”It wasn’t much but it was something and for now, that was enough.