Chapter 38: Distance That Tests Again
Morning in the Manhattan penthouse unfolded with a different rhythm. There were no more casual black T-shirts or the aroma of coffee mixed with light laughter at the dining table. This morning, the air felt slightly stiffer, more formal.
Julian stood in front of the large mirror in the master bedroom, buttoning his perfectly pressed white shirt. His expensive black wool coat was already draped over the back of a chair. The sharp lines of his face once again carried a cold aura, the absolute charisma of an international superstar ready to return to the world stage.
