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Julie and our future together are now my reason. For that, I'll confront my past, work with the FBI, and do whatever it takes to dismantle the shadow that's been looming over us. I've lived in the grey areas of morality for too long; it's time to step into the light and fight for the life I want, the life we deserve.
As I prepare for Hargrove's arrival, my resolve hardens. This is more than just a mission; it's a redemption, a chance to right the wrongs of my past and pave the way for a future filled with hope and love. No half-measures, no looking back.
Chapter 30
Julie
The incessant buzzing of my phone shatters my concentration. I try to ignore it, but it's like a persistent mosquito, impossible to tune out. With a huff of irritation, I finally break away from my spreadsheet paradise and check the screen. Twelve texts, four voicemails, all from Calvin.
My stomach churns at the sight of his name. Just thinking about him, about the man responsible for so much pain and loss in my life, sends a wave of nausea through me. The barrage of messages feels invasive, a stark reminder of a past I've worked hard to distance myself from.
I sit there, phone in hand, debating what to do. Each notification feels like a weight, pulling me back to a place of anger and confusion. I've managed to build a life without him filled with love and purpose. And yet, here he is, trying to wedge himself back into my world.
With a deep breath, I swipe through the messages, not really reading them, just glimpsing enough to know they're all pleas for contact, for a chance to explain, to reconnect. The voicemails are likely more of the same. Part of me wants to delete them all, to block his number and pretend he doesn't exist. But another part, a small, curious part, wonders what he could possibly have to say that would make any difference now.
I set the phone down. My thoughts collide with the reality of my current situation, of Ivan's troubles with the Bratva, our unexpected retreat to this cabin for safety, the pregnancy I still haven’t told Ivan about. It's like I'm juggling grenades, and my father's sudden reappearance is just another explosive in the mix.
Shaking my head, I try to refocus on my work, but it's no use. My zone has been broken, my mind now occupied with the ghosts of my past. I stand up, stretching my tense muscles, and walk over to the window. My mind keeps circling back to those unread texts and unheard voicemails. It's like a mental itch that won't go away, no matter how hard I try to ignore it.
With a frustrated sigh, I give in to the nagging urge. Picking up my phone, I hit the call button on my father's number.
"What the hell are you doing?" I demand the moment he picks up, not bothering to mask the irritation in my voice.
"Julie, I've been trying to get a hold of you for an hour," he says, his voice filled with both relief and urgency.
I roll my eyes, even though he can't see it. "Yeah, I know. I was ignoring you," I snap back, my patience thin. "I'm not ready to talk to you."
There's a pause on the other end, and when he speaks again, his tone is softer, more earnest. "I understand that, Julie. I really do. But I'm calling because it's important. It's about your aunt Barb."
The mention of Barb instantly grabs my attention, my annoyance giving way to concern. "What about her? What's happened?" I ask, my voice laced with worry.
He hesitates, and I can almost hear him grappling with the right words. "She's had some sort of an accident, Julie," he finally says, and those words hit me like a ton of bricks.
My blood runs cold, a chill that has nothing to do with the snow outside. Panic and fear take over, a tumultuous mixture that threatens to sweep me away.
"What? How? Is she okay?" The questions tumble out of me, each one laced with a growing dread.
"I don't know all the details," he admits.
Anger, worry, and confusion crash together in my head. Why is he the one giving me this news? Why him, of all people? But the urgency of the situation pushes those thoughts aside. Right now, Barb is all that matters.
My skepticism kicks into high gear as worry gnaws at me. "How do you even know about this?" I question sharply. "It's not like Barb would call you in an emergency situation. She hates your guts."
There's another brief pause on the other end, and when my father speaks again, his voice carries a hint of sheepishness. "I was at the deli down the block from her place. I was hoping you’d be visiting again and I could catch you," he admits.
I feel a surge of anger at his confession. "You mean you were stalking me? You do realize that's probably a violation of your probation, right?" I snap, my voice rising with each word.
"I know, I know, but I just wanted to see you, Julie," he rushes to explain. "But while I was there, an ambulance pulled up in front of Barb's house."
His words send a chill down my spine, but I'm still wary of believing him outright. “An ambulance?” I ask.
"Yeah," he confirms. "I watched as the EMTs loaded her into the back. I couldn't tell exactly what was wrong, but she didn't appear to be conscious."
The image he paints is enough to send a wave of panic through me. Barb, unconscious and being loaded into an ambulance is a scenario I'm not prepared for. My heart races, a mix of fear for my aunt and frustration at the situation.
"I have to go check on her," I stammer, my mind racing with what I need to do next.
"Julie, I'm sorry," my father's voice cuts in, sounding genuinely remorseful. "I know I'm the last person you want to hear from, but I thought you should know."
