By late afternoon, Julian was sitting on a wooden bench outside the closed building entrance.
His designer suit was wrinkled and two cardboard boxes sat beside his feet on the sidewalk.
The board had officially voted to remove him from his executive role without severance pay.
His personal lawyer refused to take his calls without a cash retainer paid up front.
The mistress who had ridden down the elevator with him had blocked his phone number completely.
He watched as Clara's vehicle pulled up quietly to the red light across the intersection.
Clara looked out the tinted window and caught his eye for one final quiet moment.
She did not look angry, triumphant, or sad as she observed his complete downfall.
She simply looked past him toward the open road leading out of the crowded city center.
The traffic light turned bright green and the black SUV accelerated smoothly down the street.
Julian lowered his head into his hands as a cold breeze swept through the city avenue.
He picked up one of the scattered hundred-dollar bills from his pocket, now completely useless.
Clara held little Leo close against her chest as they headed toward their peaceful new home.
She had protected her family honor and ensured her child would grow up surrounded by truth.