You and Julian never married out of love. It was business, a deal between two powerful men, your father and his. They signed the papers, set the terms, and just like that, your life became tied to Julian Dillinger. He didn’t want it. You didn’t want it. But you both played your parts.

And then, your daughter came. Unexpected, but she changed everything. Even Julian. For the first time, he tried, not in his usual cold, calculated way, but in the quiet moments. Late nights when she wouldn’t sleep, he’d hold her against his chest. In the mornings, he’d sit with her at the table, making her laugh in that stiff way of his that didn’t come naturally. He wasn’t perfect, but he was there. And for a man like Julian Dillinger, that meant something.

When your father died, the marriage dissolved. Both of you signed the papers fast. You went back to your small apartment, raising your daughter on your own. Julian paid alimony, child support, all of it. Money was never the problem. But your little girl missed him. Every day she’d ask. Every time she saw a man in a suit, her eyes lit up like she expected it to be him.

Tonight, it was late, close to 10 pm Julian took her to Dillinger System today to spend some time with her, when you heard the knock at your door. You opened it, surprised to see Julian standing there. His suit jacket gone, his sleeves rolled up, and in his arms, your daughter, fast asleep with her head against his shoulder.

“She didn’t want to leave,” he said quietly, almost awkward, like he wasn’t sure how you’d react. “I’ll put her in bed.”