2025-12-13 18:59:06He cleaned up the apartment slightly. Changed into casual clothes and tried to relax.
Thirty minutes later, Margaret arrived with bags of takeout.“General's quarters are nice,” she said, looking around: “Better than that base housing.”“It'll do. Gabrielle loves having her own room. Being in a real neighborhood.” Achilles took the food bags: “How was your day?”“Briefings. Security assessments. Personnel reviews for the new division.” Margaret followed him to the kitchen: “We start operations in two weeks. Officially.”Achilles asked: “Nervous?”“Excited. This is important work. Building something new. Learning from the mistakes that let the Archelords infiltrate so deeply.” She pulled plates from the cabinet. Comfortable in his space already: “Plus I get to work with you. That's a bonus.”“Even when I'm your commanding officer?”“Especially then. Someone needs to keep you from making reckless decisions.” She s
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
335: The Sentence
He faced the judge again: “I pleaded guilty because I am guilty. I conspired to murder my father. I worked with terrorists. I deserve punishment. But I want the court to know; I'm not that person anymore. The Cartel's attempt to kill me forced me to face what I'd become. And I didn't like what I saw.”“Helping General Hector wasn't just about reducing my sentence. It was about doing one good thing before I went to prison. About maybe, possibly earning a fraction of forgiveness from the sister I betrayed.”Michael's composure finally broke. Tears ran down his face: “I can't bring our father back. Can't undo the pain I caused. But I can accept responsibility. Face the consequences. And spend whatever time I have left trying to be the man our father thought I could be.”He sat down and wiped his eyes; waiting…Lord Justice Hammond was quiet for a long moment: “Mr. Julian, what you did was unconscionable. Patricide is among the most heinous of crimes. You betrayed your family. Your countr
334: Michael's Trial
[Central Criminal Court – Six Months Later]Michael Julian stood in the defendant's box, hands clasped in front of him. He wore a simple suit, no arrogance or defiance. Just quiet acceptance of what was coming.The courtroom was full but not packed. This trial didn't have the media frenzy of Ethan's. Michael wasn't a terrorist mastermind. Just a man who'd conspired to kill his father out of jealousy and greed.Margaret sat in the gallery beside Achilles. This was her brother. The man she had always wanted to build a family bond with. The man who'd betrayed everything.“Are you okay?” Achilles whispered.“No. But I need to be here.” She watched as Michael stood when the judge entered.“All rise.”Lord Justice Hammond took his seat. The same judge who'd presided over Ethan's trial. Over the Cartel trials. He'd seen months of terrorism cases. This one was almost routine by comparison.“Be seated.” He looked at Michael: “Mr. Julian, you stand accused of conspiracy to commit murder, conspi
333: “I Love You Too, Sweetheart”
“I don't know what you mean.” Gabrielle sat down with a pretentious tone: “I'm just setting the table.”They ate together. Normal conversation. Work stories. Gabrielle's school day, but Achilles kept noticing small things.Gabrielle asked Margaret to pass things to him instead of passing them herself.She deliberately spilled water so Margaret and Achilles had to lean close while cleaning it up.She repeatedly mentioned how nice it was to have a family dinner all together.After tacos, they moved to the living room for movie night. Gabrielle had picked the film; a romantic comedy. Of course.“I thought we were watching the animated one about the dragons,” Achilles said.“I changed my mind. This one looks good.” Gabrielle settled on the couch. Deliberately left only enough space for two people: “Oops. Daddy, you and Miss Margaret will have to share the couch. I'll sit on the floor.”“You can sit between us,” Achi
332: Gabrielle's Schemes
[Three Months Later – Achilles’ Apartment]Gabrielle sat at the kitchen table with a very serious expression. She'd drawn a chart with crayons. Hearts. Stick figures. Arrows connecting them.“What's this?” Achilles asked, pouring her orange juice.“My plan,” she announced proudly.Curiosity piqued Achilles’ expression: “Plan for what?”“For you and Ms. Margaret Julian to get married.”Achilles nearly dropped the juice carton: “What?”“You like her. She likes you. I like her. So you should marry her.” Gabrielle pointed to her chart. “See? This is you. That's Miss Margaret. These hearts mean love. And this—” She tapped a stick figure with pigtails. “...is me being the flower girl.”Achilles leaned forward: “Pumpkin, it's not that simple.”“Why not? Mommy says Miss Margaret is good for you. Uncle George says you smile more when she's around. And I heard Aunt Rachael tell Aunt Dora that you're ‘smitten but too stubborn to admit it.’” She pronounced ‘smitten’ carefully, like she'd been pra
331: Something Real?
He cleaned up the apartment slightly. Changed into casual clothes and tried to relax.Thirty minutes later, Margaret arrived with bags of takeout.“General's quarters are nice,” she said, looking around: “Better than that base housing.”“It'll do. Gabrielle loves having her own room. Being in a real neighborhood.” Achilles took the food bags: “How was your day?”“Briefings. Security assessments. Personnel reviews for the new division.” Margaret followed him to the kitchen: “We start operations in two weeks. Officially.”Achilles asked: “Nervous?”“Excited. This is important work. Building something new. Learning from the mistakes that let the Archelords infiltrate so deeply.” She pulled plates from the cabinet. Comfortable in his space already: “Plus I get to work with you. That's a bonus.”“Even when I'm your commanding officer?”“Especially then. Someone needs to keep you from making reckless decisions.” She s
330: Star's Confession
[Achilles' New Residence – London – Two Weeks Later]The apartment was modest by military standards but luxurious compared to the safe houses and barracks Achilles had lived in for years. Three bedrooms. A proper kitchen. A balcony overlooking the Thames.Gabrielle's room was already decorated with her drawings and stuffed animals. She'd adapted quickly to their new life. Therapy was helping with the nightmares.Star had requested a private meeting. She arrived at seven, dressed casually. Nervous.“Thank you for seeing me,” she said as Achilles let her in.“You're Gabrielle's mother. You're welcome ‘cause she needs you in her life.” He gestured to the living room: “Tea? Coffee?”“Water will be fine.”They sat across from each other. The silence stretched.“I need to apologize,” Star finally said. “Properly. For everything.”“Star, we've been over this—”“No. We haven't. Not really. You've been gracious. Kind. Forgiving because of Gabrielle. But I need you to hear this. Need to say it
You may also like
My Sudden Rich System
M_jief120.0K viewsReturn of the Powerful Young Master
AFM3188.5K viewsEthan Nightangle Rises To Power
Dragon Sly98.3K viewsThe Billionaire Heir
Teddy131.4K viewsTHE UPSTANDING DAVID MALCOLM
Cy Pen 2.3K viewsThe Accidental Construction Superhero
Ace300 viewsRISEN FROM THE ASHES: GOD OF CHAOS
CxYPHRR132 viewsTHE TYCOON IS QUADRILLIONAIRE HEIR
Guilty Martyr 9.4K views