Chapter 13 - THE BROTHER WHO CAME HOME
Z
Julian moved back to New York the following summer.
Not into Roman's penthouse.
Not into the childhood house.
Into a small apartment near the river.
He wanted independence.
Roman respected that.
Julian began studying maritime design.
He had always loved boats.
Now he wanted to build them.
Roman offered to pay for everything.
Julian refused.
They compromised.
Roman helped him identify scholarships and training programs, and Julian accepted a modest family gift with no conditions attached.
One afternoon, the brothers visited their parents' graves.
Julian stood before the black headstones.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he turned toward the third grave.
His own.
The marker had been removed after the legal correction.
The plot remained empty.
Julian stared.
“That's strange.”
Roman nodded.
“Very.”
Julian looked at him.
“What happened to the person buried there?”
Roman took a breath.
“The remains were reexamined. Investigators are still working to identify him.”
Julian lowered his head.
“Someone else's family lost him.”
Roman nodded.
“Yes.”
They stood in silence.
Then Julian said, “I don't want my life to be about what happened to me.”
Roman looked at him.
“What do you want it to be about?”
Julian considered.
“Boats.”
Roman smiled.
“Of course.”
“And maybe a dog.”
Roman laughed.
“A dog?”
“A big one.”
“Why?”
Julian shrugged.
“Because I can.”
Roman placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
For the first time, he understood that bringing Julian home didn't mean restoring the past.
It meant giving him room to build a future.
That evening, Roman returned to Narelli's apartment.
She opened the door.
He looked exhausted.
She stepped aside.
“Come in.”
He entered.
She closed the door.
Then he wrapped his arms around her.
She held him.
“Hard day?”
He nodded.
“Good day.”
She smiled.
“Those can be exhausting too.”
Roman laughed softly.
Then kissed her forehead.
“I love you.”
The words surprised them both.
Narelli looked up.
He didn't take them back.
May you like
She smiled.
“I love you too.”
