Chapter 84
Julian lived on the top floor of a mid-rise overlooking the river. The view stretched wide, but it wasn’t much to look at—just buildings layered together, lights flicking on as evening settled. Inside was no different. Dark floors. Plain furniture. Shelves crowded with books and old records. Nothing decorative. Nothing arranged for the show.
When Franz knocked, the door opened almost immediately.
“You’re on time,” Julian said.
“We usually are,” Arianne replied, stepping in first.
The twins followed without hesitation. They had been here before, back when their parents were still alive. Leo didn’t stop at the entrance. Lily didn’t either. The place wasn’t unfamiliar enough to make them cautious.
Gilbert sat near the island with a glass of water, posture relaxed but alert, as he always was. Nate stood at the stove, stirring something in a shallow pan.
“Leo,” Nate said over his shoulder, “still building machines p>
Leo gave a short nod.
“There’s a half-finished model ship in the study,” Julian added. “If you want to see it p>
Leo looked at Arianne, silently asking for permission.
She nodded once.
He walked down the hallway without another word.
Lily had already positioned herself beside the stove, careful not to get too close.
“What is it, Uncle Nate p>
“Pasta,” Nate said. “Nothing complicated p>
She leaned in and inhaled. “It smells good p>
Nate smiled without looking at her.
Franz set the wine on the counter. Gil watched him do it, then said, “You look settled p>
“We are p>
Arianne slipped off her coat and hung it over a chair. She didn’t comment on the apartment. She didn’t need to. If she noticed anything, she kept it to herself.
Julian adjusted the balcony door slightly, letting a thin line of cool air in before joining them.
“She’s back early,” he said, glancing at Arianne.
“Yes,” she answered. “There wasn’t a reason to stay longer p>
No one asked about the trip. If there were details worth sharing, they would come out on their own. No one pressed.
Leo returned a few minutes later, holding a narrow strip of unfinished wood. He carried it carefully, fingers spread so he wouldn’t bend it.
Julian crouched a little to look at it. “You sand along the grain,” he said, brushing his finger lightly across the surface. “If you go across, it scratches p>
Leo watched the motion as if he were memorizing it.
“You can finish it next week,” Julian added, straightening.
Leo nodded and kept hold of it as dinner was laid out without ceremony. Plates were set down. Wine poured. Chairs pulled out—no one assigned seats.
Lily sat down between Nate and Arianne. Leo started to move toward Arianne, but then changed his mind and sat next to Franz instead. It was a small change, and he didn’t look up while he did it.
No one said anything about it.
At first, the conversation was normal. Lily talked about her reading circle and how one boy kept skipping pages. Nate asked which book was her favorite. Gil listened and occasionally glanced at Franz, but not in a way that felt direct.
After a while, Julian put down the glass he was holding at the counter.
“How was the summit?” he asked.
“Organized,” Franz replied. “Predictable p>
Gil set his glass down near his plate. “He spoke clearly p>
“He did.” Franz didn’t elaborate.
Nate glanced up from his plate. “Push too far p>
Franz shook his head. “No p>
Julian leaned back slightly in his chair. “He mentioned expanding into regional distribution hubs p>
Franz nodded once.
“That overlaps with two Rochefort logistics companies,” Gil said.
“It does p>
No one leaned in. No one challenged it.
“And those companies used outside advisory firms,” Nate added.
Franz didn’t answer immediately. He set his fork down first. “They did p>
“Shared consultants,” Julian said.
“Yes p>
“They’d see both sides p>
“That’s enough p>
Gil watched him for a moment before speaking again. “So you changed them p>
“I reassigned the contracts,” Franz said. “No shared consultants in overlapping sectors p>
Julian didn’t follow up with a breakdown. “Good p>
“It doesn’t accuse him,” Nate said.
“There’s nothing to accuse,” Franz answered. “He hasn’t crossed a line p>
No one looked at her.
They didn’t wait.
Leo shifted slightly closer to Franz’s side. He kept eating, but his shoulder brushed against Franz’s arm.
“It was structural,” Franz added, almost as an afterthought. “Cleaner that way p>
Gil studied him for a second longer than the others. Then he leaned back. “Alright p>
The subject dissolved there. Not forced, just finished.
Lily pushed her plate forward. “I’m full p>
In the living room, Julian brought out the wooden box from the study. He set it on the coffee table and opened it. Inside were thin wooden parts, clamps, sandpaper, and folded instructions.
“This isn’t a toy,” he said. “It takes time p>
Leo was already on the floor, sitting cross-legged. He placed the strip in front of him.
“Part of the hull,” Julian explained, pointing to the frame. “You sand it first. Otherwise, it won’t sit flat p>
He demonstrated once.
Leo copied him, pressing harder than necessary.
“Light,” Franz said from beside him. “You don’t push. Just move with it p>
Leo adjusted without argument.
The soft scrape of sandpaper filled the room. Lily insisted on sanding a piece that didn’t need it.
“That one’s done,” Nate told her.
“I’m making it extra done p>
He let it go after that.
When Leo held the strip up, Julian reached for it without standing, running his fingers along the edge. “Better p>
Franz leaned in and checked it himself. “Smooth p>
Leo didn’t quite smile, but his shoulders lifted a little.
They moved to attach it. Leo studied the slot before sliding the piece in. It caught halfway.
“Angle it,” Franz said quietly.
Leo adjusted, slower this time. The wood settled with a soft click.
“If you rush it, it cracks,” Nate added casually.
Leo paused.
“We’re not rushing,” Franz said.
Leo continued.
Arianne stood close enough to intervene if she needed to. She didn’t. Franz didn’t look at her for approval. He didn’t check her reaction when he corrected Leo. He just did it.
When the clamps were tightened and the glue set, Julian leaned back. “That’s enough for tonight p>
“But it’s not done,” Lily protested.
“It will be p>
Leo ran his fingers along the newly attached piece, tracing the seam where it met the frame.
When it was time to leave, Gil said to Franz, “You handled it well p>
“It wasn’t complicated p>
“Removing the shared advisors early p>
“There was no reason to let it sit p>
Julian closed the wooden box. “You’re steady p>
Franz didn’t answer right away. Then, “I intend to be p>
At home, Leo held onto the square of unused sandpaper Julian had given him. He didn’t ask about anything—no questions about work, about trips, about what came next.
Lily fell asleep halfway up the stairs, and Franz carried her the rest of the way.
Leo paused briefly at the base of the stairs. For a second, it looked like he might say something. He didn’t.
“You’re tired,” Arianne said.
He nodded and went up, following after Franz and his sister.
Later, when the hallway light clicked off, Arianne stood by the living room window. Franz joined her a moment after, stopping a step behind.
“You were steady,” she said without turning.
“You expected that,” Franz replied.
“Yes p>
That was all.