Page 22 of Sebastian.

“No, he hasn't. Not a single message or call.”

She taps her finger against her mouth in thought. “Huh. I thought he'd at least check in after the ceremony.”

“I don't know, El. Nothing about your father’s behavior makes sense lately.” I look above us, at the hanging flowers and twinkling lights, my chest tight. “Truthfully, I want to call him and just figure out a way to make up. But I’m afraid it’s too late for all of that.”

Elise blows out a breath, annoyed by my words. “Mom, you're allowed to be hurt and upset. Don't blame yourself for expressing your feelings. Dad needs to take responsibility for his actions too.”

“I just wish he'd talk to me, even if we disagree. I don't want to lose him, but I can't keep living like this either.” I bite the inside of my cheek, torn between wanting to change the subject and getting more information from my daughter. If Seb hasn’t contacted me, maybe he’s reached out to his children. “Has he called or messaged you at all? You don’t have to tell me what he said….”

Elise frowns, clearly upset by her father's behavior. “Since the day he fired me, I haven't spoken to him either, really. It's like he doesn't care about us anymore, Mom. I don't see how you can fix things between the two of you when he’s acting so distant…and, frankly, like an asshole.”

"Watch your language,” I hiss, before exhaling in defeat. “He's still your dad, El.” My voice is tinged with sadness. “You can talk to him as your dad, not just as your mother’s husband or CEO of the company where you had an internship.”

Elise raises an eyebrow, a hint of frustration in her expression. “Really? When has Dad ever called me without some ulterior motive or agenda? I can't remember the last time he called just to check in and see how I'm doing. There was one night before Dan and I made things official that I thought he had gotten a clue and was going to act like my dad again and not like my boss, but it was just a one time thing, apparently.”

I can't deny the truth in her words, and it only adds to my heartbreak. I never imagined that our family could reach such a breaking point, and I feel lost and uncertain about how to move forward.

Elise wraps her arms around me, giving me a comforting hug. “I just want you to be happy, Mom. Whatever happens, know that I love you, and I'm here for you.”

I hug her back tightly. “Thank you, El. You and your siblings are the most important things in my life, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect and support you all.”

The evening goes on and the celebration continues. I can't shake off the feeling of emptiness that seems to take up every bit of me. It hurts knowing that Sebastian hasn't even bothered to reach out to our children, not even to check on how they are doing on such an important day. It's as if he's completely detached himself from our family, and the pain of his absence is like an open wound. Oh well, he will regret it. I’m sure of it.

From afar, I notice Elise and Dan joining Andries and Roxanne who are walking with Aleida and Joris towards me. The six of them are striding in my direction, as if there are up to something.

“Let’s take a family picture with the kids,” Andries comments once he reaches me.

Aleida and Joris are beaming with joy and I waste no time in raising from my seat to stand beside all of them and get ready for the picture.

The wedding photographer asks us to stand closer and so we do. Andries stands on my left and Elise on my right with their respective significant others on each side, while Aleida and Joris are all giddy in front of us. Finally a few shots are taken, and while I’m proud to capture those wonderful moments with my children, I so wish my husband would have been in those pictures.

7

Julia

The lights go low,coalescing over the dance floor in a warm spotlight. Hand in hand, my son and his wife enter the floor, joining together for their first dance. The music from the live orchestra swells, and the love between the newly married couple is obvious to everyone.

My mind is far away, and it takes me a second to realize the crowd is parting to let someone through to me. Suddenly, the butler, Stuart, appears, his expression serious.

He leans his head close to mine, so no one else can hear what he’s saying. “Someone is outside the gates and wants to talk to you.”

A spark of hope flickers within me. Could it be Sebastian finally coming to his senses? “Who?”

“He said his name is Kenneth, and that you know him,” Stuart replies dryly, clearly unhappy about having to interrupt the wedding for this.

I groan internally, my eyes fluttering shut as I gather myself. Of course it's Kenneth, the notorious journalist from RTL who loves to target our family and paint us in a negative light. At this point, I wonder if the man has an obsession with us, considering how relentless he is.

“He also said he holds important information about your family, and that he’s written an article about it that is ready to be released. Apparently he wanted to let you know before publication,” Stuart explains, his face drawn in a scowl.

I ponder for a moment whether to let Kenneth in or speak to him outside. I know how manipulative and ruthless he can be, and I don't want to give him the opportunity to twist my words or use any information against us. Plus, I can’t imagine that Andries or Roxanne would be happy with me inviting a journalist to their wedding without even bothering to ask. Deciding it's best to keep our conversation away from prying eyes, I opt to speak to him outside.

With a last longing look towards my son and Roxanne, embracing during their dance, I give Stuart a small nod. “Let’s go.”

Stuart drives me to the gates in a golf car, and as I step outside the property, my eyes alight on Kenneth who stands tall before me, a smug grin on his face. I suppress the desire to tell him exactly how I feel, and instead motion the man to a corner outside the property, under a large tree that gives us a modicum of privacy. I can’t believe that Kenneth is here, just to add on to my bad night. He revels in causing drama and controversy, and I can feel the tension rise within me. He’s somehow everywhere, but we rarely see him coming. From the damned interview with Tess Hagen slandering me, the predatory interview with Petra at her mother’s funeral, even Yara’s affairs in St. Moritz, Kenneth has haunted us for years. Most recently, he’s been like a shark that has scented blood when it comes to Roxanne’s scandal. I wonder if that's why he's here tonight….

“Julia van den Bosch, what a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” he greets, his voice dripping with insincerity.

I keep my composure and respond calmly, crossing my arms. “What do you want, Kenneth?”

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