Julian didn't come home the following morning.
I noticed his absence when I walked downstairs.
His coffee cup was still beside the kitchen sink.
The suitcase was gone.
So was the jacket he had left over the sofa.
I stood there for a moment.
Then I made coffee.
There were more important things waiting for me.
At nine, I arrived at Aurelia Systems.
The general counsel had requested an urgent meeting with Malcolm and the board's financial committee.
The independent accountant had completed another stage of the investigation.
I entered the boardroom and found the blue folder on the table.
It was thicker than before.
Malcolm looked up.
"Good morning, Audrey."
"Good morning."
The accountant stood beside the screen.
He had prepared a presentation showing the transactions, approval records, and supporting documentation received during the review.
I took my seat.
The general counsel began.
"We have completed the examination of the outstanding materials provided by Mr. Vance."
I looked at the accountant.
He nodded.
"Several explanations were supplied, but they did not resolve all the discrepancies."
He displayed the first group of transactions.
The dates appeared across the screen.
Then the vendor names.
Then the amounts.
I recognized the department.
Strategy.
Julian's department.
The accountant explained that the original invoices described broad consulting services.
However, the records provided did not adequately demonstrate that all the billed services had been completed.
The board listened.
Nobody interrupted.
The next section showed additional approvals.
The accountant explained that some payments had been processed through procedures that did not provide the level of documentation expected for expenses of that size.
Malcolm leaned forward.
"Can we establish who authorized them?"
"Yes. The approval records identify the responsible executives."
I looked at the general counsel.
"What happens next?"
He explained that the board needed to determine the appropriate employment and governance decisions after considering the findings and Julian's responses.
I nodded.
I didn't want shortcuts.
I wanted a decision that could withstand scrutiny.
One board member asked whether any of the payments had been conclusively established as personal benefits.
The accountant answered carefully.
"That question remains subject to further verification. We can establish that certain transactions lack adequate supporting documentation. We should not make a broader conclusion without additional evidence."
I appreciated that answer.
It was important to distinguish what we knew from what we suspected.
Malcolm looked toward me.
"Audrey?"
I folded my hands.
"We should proceed on the documented findings. Nothing more and nothing less."
The general counsel nodded.
The board discussed the temporary restrictions already placed on Julian's approval responsibilities.
They agreed those safeguards should remain in place.
They also agreed that Julian should receive the complete findings relevant to his position.
The meeting ended shortly before noon.
As I gathered my papers, Malcolm approached.
"He's going to be disappointed."
I looked at him.
"I imagine so."
"He may argue that this is because of your marriage."
I closed my handbag.
"Then the documents should speak for themselves."
Malcolm nodded.
I returned to my office.
My assistant told me Julian had called twice.
I didn't return the calls immediately.
Instead, I reviewed the company's operational report.
There were departments waiting for decisions.
There were contracts to renegotiate.
There were employees who needed reassurance.
I spent the afternoon discussing the company's recovery priorities.
Then, just before leaving, I received an email from Julian.
He requested a private meeting.
He said he wanted to explain everything before the board made a final decision.
I read it carefully.
Then I replied that any formal response should be submitted through the general counsel.
He called immediately.
I answered.
"Hello."
"Audrey, why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Refusing to speak to me."
"I have spoken to you."
"Not about this."
I looked at the report on my desk.
"Julian, the board is handling an official review."
"I'm asking you as my wife."
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Then you should understand why I cannot interfere."
He became quiet.
Finally, he said:
"I never thought you would turn against me."
I looked at the window.
"I'm not turning against you."
"Then help me."
"Tell the truth."
He ended the call without saying goodbye.
I put my phone down.
For a few minutes, I sat quietly.
I remembered the man who had once brought me coffee before important meetings.
I remembered how proud I had been when he received his first executive position.
I had wanted him to succeed.
I had never wanted to see him fail.
But wanting someone to succeed didn't mean pretending their decisions had no consequences.
That evening, I went home alone.
I placed my handbag on the kitchen counter.
Then I opened the drawer containing my mother's jewelry.
The earrings were still there.
I checked the clasp carefully.
It was secure.
I closed the velvet box and put it away.
Some things could be returned.
Trust was not one of them.
Click here to continue reading: PART 18: Julian Asked for One Last Private Meeting, but This Time I Refused to Let Him Turn His Mistakes Into My Responsibility
My Husband Wanted Me Gone Before the Biggest Announcement of His Career, But He Had No Idea Why I Had Come
Part 17 of 20
