Chapter 9 - SARAH QUIT
Three years after Bellissimo, Sarah walked into Julian’s office carrying an envelope.
He looked alarmed.
“No.”
She blinked.
“I haven’t said anything.”
“You’re quitting.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You cannot reject my resignation.”
“I can emotionally reject it.”
Sarah laughed.
She had completed certification in early-childhood family support through night courses Julian knew about but did not fund.
She had been accepted as program coordinator at a nonprofit supporting single parents and infants experiencing housing instability.
Better hours.
Less money than Julian paid.
More hers.
“I have to go.”
Julian nodded slowly.
“What about Matteo?”
“He has two excellent caregivers.”
“He loves you.”
“I love him.”
“That doesn’t mean I should stay employed by you forever.”
Julian looked disappointed.
Then:
“Are you leaving us?”
Sarah heard the real question.
“No.”
His eyes lifted.
“I’m leaving payroll.”
The relief on his face made her smile.
Their first date happened four months later.
Not immediately after employment.
Not secretly.
Not with some dramatic private jet.
Coffee.
Public place.
Julian arrived early.
Sarah arrived ten minutes late because Lily could not find one shoe.
“Very glamorous,” she said.
“I’ve had worse meetings.”
“If you call this a meeting, I’m leaving.”
“Date.”
“Better.”
They moved slowly.
Painfully slowly, according to Lily.
Matteo was four before Julian proposed.
Sarah said no.
Not because she did not love him.
Because she was not ready.
Julian asked:
“Should I wait?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
He nodded.
And waited.
No pressure.
No punishment.
Two years later, Sarah proposed to him.
At Bellissimo.
Same sidewalk.
Julian stared.
“You’re serious?”
“No, I regularly offer jewelry to organized-crime-adjacent businessmen for fun.”
He laughed.
Then cried.
They signed a prenup.
Separate counsel.
Independent assets.
Protection for Lily.
Protection for Matteo.
Transparent estate plans.
Romantic?
To Sarah—
May you like
extremely.
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