chapter 3

The restaurant lights were dim, casting long, sharp shadows across the white linen table.

Adrian was busy basking in his own magnanimity, explaining the "grand future" he had planned for Julian—one that involved a lot of staying home and "focusing on his health.

"Julian nodded at all the right intervals, his mind a steel trap.

He knew the first major blow to his life in the past hadn't come from Adrian alone.

It had come from Marcus, his once-best friend who had "found" the planted evidence that sent Julian to prison.

As if summoned by the thought, the restaurant’s heavy mahogany doors swung open.

A man with a sharp jawline and nervous eyes walked in, scanning the room until he spotted them.

"Adrian! Julian!"

Marcus called out, his voice upbeat but his eyes darting toward Adrian for approval.

In his first life, Julian had hugged Marcus, oblivious to the fact that his "friend" was already on Adrian’s payroll.

Today, Julian remained seated, his hand tightening around his wine glass until his knuckles turned white.

"Marcus," Julian said, his voice flat.

"What a surprise.""

I hope you don't mind," Adrian said, his tone casual but his eyes watching for Julian's reaction.

"I invited Marcus to join us.

We were just discussing how much easier your life will be once you move into the estate.

"Marcus slid into the booth beside Julian, smelling of expensive cologne and desperation.

"It's the best move, Jules.

You know I only want what’s best for you.

The city is getting too dangerous, too fast." The irony was a bitter pill.

The danger was sitting right next to me, Julian thought.

"Actually, Marcus," Julian said, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper that made Marcus flinch.

"I was just telling Adrian that I want to get more involved in his business.

Specifically the restaurant's accounts.

Since you’re his head of security, maybe you could help me get access to the back-office servers?

"Marcus froze.

He looked at Adrian, his face paling.

He knew those servers held more than just dinner receipts.

Adrian laughed, a sharp, cold sound.

"You see that, Marcus? My Julian is growing teeth.

He wants to see behind the curtain.""

Is that... wise, Adrian?"

Marcus stammered.

"I trust him," Adrian said, his voice dropping an octave, a silent warning to Marcus.

"And you will too."

Julian watched the exchange with cold satisfaction.

He had just driven a wedge of paranoia between the two men.

Adrian’s "love" was built on total control, and Marcus was his primary tool.

By inserting himself into that dynamic, Julian was turning the two conspirators against each other.

Later that night, after Adrian dropped him off with a lingering, suffocating kiss, Julian sat at his desk and opened his laptop.

A notification popped up: Access Granted to Gilded Lily Financials.

He didn't start with the money.

He started with the logs. He found exactly what he was looking for: a series of encrypted messages sent three years ago—dates that corresponded perfectly with the "evidence" Marcus had "discovered" in the first timeline.

Julian leaned back, the blue light of the screen reflecting in his eyes like a predator in the dark.

"I'm not just going to ruin you, Adrian," Julian whispered to the empty room.

"I’m going to make you tear each other apart first."

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