JULIAN

I didn't tell Claire I was going until I was already dressed to leave, she found me putting on my jacket in the hallway. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"To see my father." I replied, not meeting her eyes.

"Julian, no," Claire said immediately. "Don't do this."

"I have to," I replied. "I need to talk to him. I need to understand why."

"You already know why," Claire argued. "He told you. He wants your attention. He wants to prove he's still powerful."

"Then I need to hear it from him," I said firmly.

Claire moved in front of me, blocking my path. "Please don't go," she said....