Chapter 2: The Man at the Door
The first thing Julian heard when he entered his mansion was silence.
Not the peaceful silence of a home after a long day.
Something heavier.
Something wrong.
He handed his jacket to Daniel without looking away from the living room.
“Where is she?””
Marta appeared from the hallway.
Her eyes were swollen.
“Sir.””
Julian stopped.
“Where's Poppy?””
“In the living room.””
He walked past her.
Then he saw the bowl.
It sat in the middle of the expensive wooden floor, reflecting the warm light from the chandelier.
Beside it stood his daughter.
Her little hands were clasped together.
Her cheeks were wet.
And when she saw him, she didn't run.
That was what broke him.
Poppy usually ran into his arms whenever he returned home. Sometimes she even knocked his briefcase out of his hand.
Tonight, she only stared.
“Daddy?””
Julian dropped to his knees.
“Sweetheart.””
Poppy looked at Celeste first.
Then she slowly took one step toward him.
“Am I allowed to hug you?””
For a moment, Julian couldn't breathe.
He opened both arms.
“Always. You never need permission to hug your daddy.””
Poppy hurried into his embrace.
Her small body shook against his chest.
Julian held her carefully, one hand resting on the back of her head.
“I'm here, baby. I'm here.””
She buried her face in his shirt.
“I didn't mean to spill the juice.””
Julian closed his eyes.
“What juice?””
“The orange juice.””
He looked at the rug.
A faint stain remained near the edge.
Then he looked at the bowl.
His voice became very quiet.
“Poppy, did someone make you eat from this?””
She nodded against his shoulder.
Celeste immediately stood.
“Julian, you're making this look much worse than it is.””
He didn't turn.
“Not now, Celeste.””
“I'm your wife. I deserve to explain.””
“Then explain.””
She folded her arms.
“She spilled juice on the rug. I told her she needed to learn responsibility. She refused to listen, so I gave her a consequence.””
Julian slowly lifted his eyes.
“A consequence?””
“Yes. Children need boundaries.””
“Was she given dinner?””
Celeste hesitated.
“She was being stubborn.””
“That's not what I asked.””
“She hadn't eaten yet.””
Julian stared at her.
“It's almost seven.””
Celeste rolled her eyes.
“She could have eaten if she had cooperated.””
Poppy tightened her arms around her father's neck.
Julian felt it.
He gently rubbed her back.
“Daniel,” he said.
“Yes, sir?””
“Take Poppy upstairs with Marta. Get her something warm to eat. Have the pediatrician come over.””
Celeste stepped forward.
“Don't be ridiculous. She's perfectly healthy.””
Julian finally looked at her.
“Daniel.””
The security officer moved immediately.
Marta approached carefully.
“Come with me, sweetheart.””
Poppy looked uncertain.
“Daddy, are you coming?””
Julian kissed her forehead.
“I'll be right behind you.””
“Promise?””
“I promise.””
Marta took her little hand and led her toward the stairs.
When they disappeared, Julian stood.
Celeste straightened her pink dress.
“You embarrassed me in front of the staff.””
He looked at her as though he hadn't heard correctly.
“You're worried about being embarrassed?””
“I have a reputation, Julian.””
“My daughter has a name.””
Celeste sighed dramatically.
“Oh, here we go. The devoted father routine.””
Julian's jaw tightened.
“Don't speak about her like that.””
“I have been living with a child who doesn't respect me. Do you have any idea how exhausting that is?””
“She is six.””
“And I'm supposed to tolerate everything because she's six?””
Julian pointed toward the bowl.
“Why was that on the floor?””
Celeste shrugged.
“It was available.””
“For her?””
“Don't twist my words.””
“Did you eat dinner while she stood there?””
Celeste said nothing.
He looked at the grapes on the piano bench.
Then at the untouched dinner tray near the doorway.
The picture was becoming clearer.
“You sat there eating while my daughter begged you for food?””
Celeste's face flushed.
“She was being dramatic.””
Julian took one step closer.
“She's a child.””
“And you're treating me like a criminal!””
“I'm treating you like someone who just hurt my daughter.””
Celeste grabbed her handbag.
“Fine. Call your lawyer. Call the police.
Tell everyone I'm a monster. But don't forget that I'm your wife.””
Julian's expression didn't change.
“I haven't forgotten anything.””
He took his phone from his pocket.
“Daniel, bring the recording.””
Celeste froze.
“What recording?””
Julian looked at her.
“The one Marta made.””
For the first time, Celeste seemed genuinely frightened.
She glanced toward the hallway.
Then back at Julian.
“You can't use a recording made without my permission.””
“I'm not discussing legal procedures with you.””
“Julian, listen to me.””
“No.””
She stepped closer.
“I was only trying to teach her how to behave.””
Julian looked down at the metal bowl.
“Would you teach another adult this way?””
Celeste's lips parted.
He continued.
“Would you sit in front of a hungry employee and tell them to eat off the floor?””
“That's different.””
“How?””
She had no answer.
Daniel returned with a tablet.
Julian pressed play.
Celeste heard her own voice fill the room.
“Then eat from there.””
She looked away.
The recording continued.
“Your father isn't here, sweetheart.””
Celeste swallowed.
Julian stopped the video.
“Pack a bag.””
Her head snapped toward him.
“What?””
“You're leaving this house tonight.””
She laughed in disbelief.
“You can't throw me out.””
“Watch me.””
“You promised we'd build a life together!””
“I promised to protect this family. I won't break that promise to save your pride.””
Celeste's eyes narrowed.
“You're choosing her over me?””
Julian stared at her.
“She's my daughter. This was never a choice.””
Celeste picked up her handbag and stormed toward the stairs.
But Julian stopped her.
“Your room is upstairs. Don't go near Poppy.””
She turned.
“She's already turned you against me.””
Julian's voice dropped.
“No, Celeste. You did that yourself.””
She walked away.
A few minutes later, Julian went upstairs.
He found Poppy sitting on her bed, wearing clean pajamas. A bowl of warm chicken soup rested on the bedside table.
Marta sat beside her.
“Daddy!””
Poppy reached for him.
Julian sat down and let her climb into his lap.
“Did you eat something?””
She nodded.
“I'm saving a little for you.””
His eyes filled.
“That's very kind, sweetheart.””
He kissed her forehead.
Then he noticed something on the bedside table.
A small notebook with a purple cover.
“What's this?””
Poppy immediately reached for it.
“Nothing.””
Her voice was frightened.
Julian didn't take it.
“It's okay. You don't have to show me.””
Poppy looked down at the notebook.
Then she whispered:
“Daddy, I write things down so I don't forget.””
“Forget what?””
She slowly opened the cover.
The first page contained a date.
Below it were six small words written in a child's uneven handwriting.
*Things I must not do when Daddy is gone.*
Julian stared at the page.
May you like
Poppy turned to the next one.
And what he read made his hands go cold.
