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Chapter 8
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The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 10
I walked around the lake slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. I had said everything I needed to say. But it still hurt. Decades of love didn’t disappear overnight.When I rounded the bend, I heard voices raised in anger. It was Whitman and Julian."Stay away from her," Whitman was saying, his voice cold. "You had your chance. You threw it away. You don’t deserve her.""This is none of your business," Julian snarled."It is my business," Whitman said. "I love her. I’ve been there for her when you weren’t. I’ve supported her, I’ve protected her. I would never hurt her the way you did. I’m the one who deserves to be with her. Not you."Julian stared at him, speechless. Finally, he said, "I won’t give up. I’ll win her back.""No, you won’t," Whitman said. "She doesn’t love you anymore. And she never will again. Now leave. Before I make you leave."I heard Julian’s footsteps walk away. Whitman turned and saw me standing there.Whitman walked over to me, his face softening. "Are you alrig
The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 9
Sebastian’s birthday party was held at the Plaza Hotel. The ballroom was filled with New York’s elite. I had just finished giving Sebastian his gift when I heard a voice behind me that made my blood run cold."Elena?"I turned slowly. There he was. Julian Marchetti. He was older now, lines around his eyes, gray at the temples. His eyes were wide with shock, as if he had seen a ghost."Elena," he took a step toward me. "Is it really you?"I didn’t answer. I turned and walked toward the French doors leading to the garden. I heard his footsteps behind me.We walked to the lake at the edge of the garden. I stopped and turned to face him."What do you want, Julian?" I said, my voice cold."I’ve been looking for you," he said, his voice breaking. "For seven years. I’ve looked everywhere. I thought I would never see you again.""I’m so sorry, Elena," he said, tears in his eyes. "I was a fool. I believed their lies. I threw away the best thing that ever happened to me. I would give anything
The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 8
Seven years passed.I had taken Sebastian’s advice and enrolled at Columbia Business School. I studied hard, graduating at the top of my class. With Sebastian’s help and the knowledge I had from my last life, I started my own import-export business.I worked long hours, I made tough decisions, I built my empire brick by brick. By 1952, my company was one of the most successful in New York.In my last life, I had always wanted to start my own business. But Julian and my father had laughed at the idea, saying a woman’s place was in the home. I had believed them, had given up my dreams to be a wife and mother. I had watched Lydia return with her Vassar degree, building a career on my stolen future, and Julian had told me she had earned it. I had believed that too. But this time, I was my own boss. I made my own decisions. I had power, independence, freedom. I was finally living the life I was meant to live.Sebastian and Whitman had become like family to me. They had supported me th
The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 7
A week later, Lydia got a letter from Vassar. Her acceptance had been revoked, no reason given. She ran to Julian. He called every contact he had, pulled every string, but no one would help. In desperation, he went to the Manhattan military base to see Sebastian. The guards turned him away, saying the general did not wish to see him.Julian left confused and angry. Sebastian had been like a father to him. Why would he refuse to help?Three days later, a letter arrived from Sebastian. Julian opened it with shaking hands, and his world collapsed.Dear Mr. Marchetti,I have found the soldier who was with you and Mr. Carter in Normandy. He has given a sworn statement. Mr. Carter did not save your life out of heroism. He knew he was dying of his wounds. He bribed the soldier to shoot at you, then stepped in front of the bullet. He did this so you would owe him a debt, so you would take care of Lydia for the rest of your life. You were a fool to believe them.Sincerely, Sebastian Whitmore
The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 6
Back in Brooklyn, the sun rose on my wedding day.Julian woke at six, put on his best suit, and walked to my room with white roses. He was sure I had come to my senses. Julian knocked on my bedroom door. "Elena? It’s me. Are you ready?"No answer. He knocked louder, his knuckles rapping against the wood. "Elena? Come on, don’t be silly. We don’t have time for games."Still nothing.A cold dread crept up his spine. He put his shoulder to the door and pushed hard. The old lock snapped with a sharp crack, and the door swung open.The room was empty.The bed was made perfectly, as if no one had slept in it. All my things were there. But I was gone."Elena?" he whispered, his voice cracking. My father appeared in the doorway, frowning. "What’s going on? Why isn’t she—" He saw the empty room, and his face drained of color. "Where is she?""She’s gone," Julian said, turning to him, his eyes wild with panic. "She ran away."My father’s jaw tightened. "Nonsense. She’s just being dramatic. She
The War Ended, My Life Began Chapter 5
The Whitmore brownstone on the Upper East Side was elegant and quiet. Sebastian was in the study reading when we walked in, and he stood immediately, smiling. "Elena Conti. I was hoping you would come."A servant brought tea and sandwiches, and I ate hungrily. When I finished, Sebastian leaned forward. "Tell us what happened. Why were you in that alley alone?"I told them everything calmly: Julian’s debt to the Carters, the stolen acceptance letter, and the forced wedding.Sebastian stood and walked to the window, lighting a cigarette. "I took Julian under my wing because I thought he was a war hero with honor. But stealing a young woman’s future? That’s despicable." He turned back. "Don’t worry about Vassar. I have a friend on the board. I’ll make sure Lydia never sets foot there."He paused for a while, then continued.“Julian won’t give up easily. I have a better idea. A friend is dean of Columbia Business School. He owes me a favor. You’ll have to take the entrance exams, but
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