Chapter 17 - THE BABY
Camille gave birth to a daughter, Isla Wren, seven months later.
Elias attended delivery.
They were not a couple.
They co-parented.
That disappointed tabloids wanting romantic scandal ending.
Camille moved into townhouse near Elias, not with.
She started therapy.
Left several charity boards permanently.
Worked in her mother’s family arts nonprofit? Let's not make easy redemption. She launched no influencer brand. She quietly worked for an equine-therapy nonprofit after volunteering, but due her riding background. Could feel redemption. Fine.
She never used Nora incident in PR.
Important.
Elias remained out of Hawthorne Holdings.
He joined mid-sized renewable-energy company later after year.
Professional consequence.
Julian sent baby gift only after Camille asked.
Nora chose gift too:
children’s book.
No diamonds.
Camille texted:
She likes chewing it.
Nora smiled.
Adult relationships can settle.
Meanwhile Grant’s criminal case intensified.
Forensic accounting proved false trust restatement generated from Marian draft but signature image copied from Helena prior document using Hawthorne executive-services scanner.
Scanner access logs? 2008 old, but Rebecca had audit log printed. User ID: GHAWTHORNE-EXEC.
Grant argued assistants.
Marian said Grant instructed.
Silas said Grant knew.
Everett cooperated.
Prosecutors offered plea:
Grant admits fraud/obstruction, no homicide charge due insufficient intent.
Potential prison 5–7 years due financial + obstruction? At 64 maybe.
Grant refused initially.
“I will not admit causing Helena’s death.”
Plea did not require.
Still.
Julian wanted trial?
He told prosecutor:
“I don’t choose.”
Good.
Nora testified before grand jury? Maybe.
She described locket, Rebecca history, not hearsay beyond. Fine.
She hated courthouse.
Ben accompanied once when Julian unavailable due board? That could trigger jealousy. Julian handled.
Ben said:
“You’re doing okay.”
Nora:
“Still annoying.”
He smiled.
He announced engagement to girlfriend Maya? used. Let's use Rachel? used. Sophie? used. Avoid names maybe.
Nora genuinely happy, slight grief.
Later tells Julian:
“I’m sad.”
“Why?”
“Ben’s engaged.”
“I don’t want him back.”
“Still sad.”
Julian:
“That makes sense.”
No jealousy explosion.
Mature.
Then Nora asked:
“Would you ever marry again?”
Julian paused.
“Maybe.”
“You?”
She swallowed.
“Maybe.”
No proposal.
May you like
Good.
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