Chapter 3 - JULIAN’S VERSION
Julian Cross arrived in the production office wearing an expensive black suit and the controlled expression Victoria remembered from their divorce. At forty-six, he had become one of Hollywood’s most successful producers, the chairman of Bright Harbor’s fundraising board and a frequent public advocate for children in crisis. Victoria had once believed his composure meant competence. She now remembered how often he remained calm while explaining why her version of an event could not possibly be correct.
He looked first at Lily.
Then at the bracelet.
His expression changed only slightly, but Rebecca noticed.
“I see,” Julian said. “This is what everyone is talking about.”
Victoria stood. “You told me she was in protected placement and that I couldn’t contact her.”
Julian took a slow breath. “You were recovering from surgery. The hospital was concerned about your condition, and we followed advice from professionals.”
“You signed the emergency order.”
“I signed temporary medical and placement authorizations.”
“And the permanent adoption?”
“I was told that was your decision.”
Victoria pointed to Mara’s file. “Then explain why the relinquishment says I appeared before a notary in Manhattan while I was in intensive care in Los Angeles.”
Julian examined it without taking the page. “I haven’t seen the complete file in years.”
Rebecca asked whether he had provided consent for Bright Harbor to proceed. Julian said he authorized temporary care while Victoria recovered and believed later documents reflected legal advice. He denied forging anything or directing anyone to keep Victoria and Lily apart.
His explanation had enough ordinary elements to be dangerous. Victoria had been ill. The birth was complicated. Julian had handled many household and business decisions during that period. A temporary placement might genuinely have been discussed. Eight years of legal documents could conceal the precise point where temporary care became permanent adoption.
Then Lily spoke.
“Did you know about me?”
Julian looked at her for the first time as a person rather than a problem. “I knew your mother had a baby.”
“Did you know where I lived?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
Mara’s face hardened. She opened her bag and removed a holiday photograph taken when Lily was three. Behind the child stood a blue wooden fence and a small red bicycle. Mara held out the photograph.
“A Bright Harbor representative took that during a home review,” she said. “She told me the agency sent annual progress reports to the original family liaison.”
Rebecca asked who the liaison was.
Mara turned over the photograph.
JULIAN CROSS — CONFIDENTIAL UPDATE.
Julian’s expression closed.
“That could be an internal notation.”
“You just said you didn’t know where she lived,” Victoria replied.
“I didn’t personally inspect every report.”
But he had received them.
The first explanation—that Julian made temporary decisions in an emergency and later misunderstood the adoption—began weakening. He had remained connected to Bright Harbor for years. He attended galas, raised money and received reports on Lily’s placement while Victoria spent thousands searching for a daughter he claimed not to know how to find.
Julian turned toward Rebecca. “You’re creating a scene before verifying the documents.”
Rebecca remained seated. “Then preserve them.”
“What?”
“Every Bright Harbor file related to Lily. Every communication sent to you. Every consent, placement authorization and post-adoption report.”
Julian said the agency would cooperate through counsel.
Victoria no longer wanted a private explanation from him. She asked Daniel to escort him out.
As Julian reached the door, Mara said something that stopped him.
“Diane told me you chose our family.”
Julian turned.
“That isn’t what happened.”
Mara stared at him.
“Then who did?”
He did not answer.
After he left, Rebecca examined a page Mara had overlooked: the adoption placement summary. The first prospective family approved for Lily had withdrawn forty-eight hours before Mara received the call. The reason was listed as “private family objection.”
The withdrawing family’s names were redacted.
But a handwritten note beneath the line survived.
J.C. REQUESTS NO FURTHER DELAY.
May you like
Julian had not merely known about Lily’s placement.
He had intervened before Mara was selected.
