11
I gave Julian separation papers. He returned a notarized declaration of assets. Along with it came countless glittering jewels.
… They were a bit blinding. All of them exorbitantly expensive. I flipped through the declaration. Julian had signed over all the businesses under his name as a Blac- kwood family heir. Every single one.
Julian appeared before me again. “Have you considered
Concel
foot this, the Blackwood family won’t be what it used to be?”
“Eleanor,” he murmured. He hadn’t called me that since Seraphina appoored.
“Whether you keep them or burn them to the ground, as long as it makes you happy.” He seemed to laugh at himself. “It’s all up to you.”
“If I were a Blackwood,” I scoffed, “I’d murder you for this.”
He paused, then after a long silence, simply said, “I’m sorry, Eleanor.”
I didn’t speak. He was silent for a moment, then continued, “You once said you liked sparkling jewelry. I found the most expensive pieces available. Those earrings I originally wanted to give you–but you always seemed to have so many things more important than me. I gave them to someone else just to make you see me, to make you jealous. I truly… I regret it.”
I said unhurriedly, “I can accept these. I won’t sell them off unless there’s a major emergency. The jewelry is beautiful, and I can accept that too. But you, Julian Blac-
kwood, I don’t want.
“This is my compensation to you,” Julian’s voice was bitter. “You think I didn’t love you enough, but I truly loved you. I just… used the wrong methods.”
I shrugged. “Since you’re giving them freely, there’s no reason for me not to accept. Consider it my emotional distress compensation Thank you.” I meant the last
two words.
