Chapter 4 - The Name That Stopped the MusicJulian suddenly pushed away from the reception table.
"Wait."
Everyone turned.
The band stopped playing.
Julian stared toward the doors.
"Her name..."
His voice trembled.
Audrey grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing?"
Julian didn't answer.
He ran after the woman.
He found her outside beneath the cold city rain.
She stood beneath the hotel awning, holding a small black umbrella.
"Claire."
She stopped.
Julian's breath caught.
She slowly turned.
"Don't call me that."
"Why are you here?"
"I needed work."
"You disappeared for seven years."
"I had to."
Julian stared at her.
"You should have told me."
Claire laughed bitterly.
"I tried."
Then she pulled a folded photograph from her pocket.
Julian stared at it.
A little girl smiled from the picture.
His face went pale.
"Who is she?"
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
"Her name is Lily."
Julian couldn't breathe.
May you like
Claire whispered:
"She's your daughter."
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