Chapter 16 - Meeting the Nephew
The rooftop elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Julian stood waiting in the private foyer,
his hands clasped behind his back,
his usual icy exterior visibly softened by an overwhelming wave of emotion he hadn't felt in five years.
Marcus stepped out of the elevator first,
carrying a small,
blanket-wrapped bundle in his arms.
He gently set the boy down on his feet.
Toby stood hesitant for a moment,
clutching his stuffed puppy tightly against his chest,
looking around the grand,
sunlit foyer with wide,
wondering eyes.
Then he looked up and saw Julian standing before him.
The resemblance was undeniable.
The same sharp jawline,
the same intense slate-grey eyes,
the same quiet,
commanding presence—even at six years old.
Julian dropped slowly to one knee,
bringing himself down to Toby’s eye level.
He didn't say anything for a long moment,
simply looking at his sister's face living on through her son.
Toby blinked,
tilting his head slightly.
“Are you.
.
.
are you my uncle?”
Julian’s voice caught in his throat.
He had commanded armies of corporate lawyers,
stared down hostile takeover artists,
and survived the most ruthless boardrooms in the world,
yet right now,
he found himself entirely speechless.
“I am,
Toby,” Julian finally managed to whisper,
his voice thick with emotion.
“I am your uncle Julian.
”
“And I am so,
so sorry it took me this long to find you.
”
Toby’s small face softened.
He took a tentative step forward and wrapped his arms around Julian’s neck,
burying his face in his shoulder.
Julian wrapped his strong arms around the boy,
holding him fiercely,
vowing silently that no one would ever touch him again.
Standing a few paces back,
Elena watched the scene unfold with tears of pure joy streaming down her cheeks.
Ivy waddled over,
holding her own stuffed rabbit out toward Toby.
“He can play with Brown Dog too,” Ivy offered shyly.
Toby looked down at Ivy,
a small,
May you like
genuine smile finally breaking across his pale face.
“Thank you,” Toby whispered.
