Chapter 9: The Aftermath
Chapter 9: The Aftermath
The news of Vivienne’s ousting hit the Newport social circuit like a tidal wave. For the next three weeks, Julian and Mara were insulated within the stone walls of their estate, fielding calls from lawyers and accountants.
Mara’s pregnancy progressed rapidly into the final month. Her back ached constantly, and Julian transformed into an overprotective shadow, fluffing pillows and reading aloud to her from the very archives they had fought to save.
One evening, as they sat by the roaring fireplace in the library, Julian looked up from a stack of 19th-century letters. "They want you to take over," he said suddenly.
Mara blinked, lowering her tea. "Who wants what?"
May you like
"The board. They formally requested you step in as the Director of Archives. They know you saved the collection."
Mara looked at the fire, a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the flames. The little girl who had grown up in the shadow of Newport’s elite, who had cleaned their floors and organized their histories, was now being asked to write its future.
