Chapter 14:

"William…"

"Julia?! But what are you doing here? Come in!" hurried the young man, dressed in pajamas, and disheveled hair.

He closed the door behind him and took her in his arms as she cried bitterly. His apartment was not the biggest, but it was big enough for two and that was the main thing.

"When I got home, Ethan was already there… He easily guessed why I wasn't home and… he slapped me."

"He what?!" William felt a rage he had never known before boiling inside him. "If I see him, I'll kill him..."

"You're going to end up killing each other to hear you both…" Julia tried to joke weakly.

"I will kill him first." William replied with certainty. "It will be fine Julia. I promise you. You can stay with me if you want. We will overcome this together."

"And my daughters… It's a disaster. I told him that I was going to leave him, but I would never get custody of my children…"

"We will find a solution Julia…"

He kissed her lightly on the forehead before caressing her cheek.

"Do you have anything with you? Did you bring anything?"

"I didn't have time…I left in a hurry. I'll go get my things later."

"It's nothing...I'll..." William looked around hesitantly. "Maybe you could go into the bathroom, and I'll give you one of my shirts?"

"That would be perfect William… I don't want to impose myself; I didn't know where to go but I can go to the hotel."

"No, no…I want you to stay." he smiled, taking her in his arms again. "Please stay…"

Julia nodded into William's neck.

Later, Julia was in the bathroom. Finally, William and the young woman had dinner together, despite the late hour. And, despite the disaster with her husband tonight, she had managed to feel a little better. Then Julia and William had gone to bed in the same bed. Without tension, nothing. They just hugged and talked for a while. Julia had spoken only of her daughters. Of her two beautiful daughters. Of their childhoods, of her happiness when they were born, and of the wonderful years she had spent raising them. Then finally, her worry of not seeing them do what they wanted in their lives. She said that when she herself had not succeeded, how could her children? They would have no example to give them the courage to revolt against this refractory society.

"I wish they could do what they want… If they don't want to get married, or if they want to work… Do whatever they want."

"I understand Julia…"

There was a silence during which Julia moved even closer to William and gently laid her head on his chest. William tried to calm his growing smile at his current well-being. He felt so good there, like that… quietly with her. Gently stroking her hair.

"Come on, go to sleep, sweetheart…"

Julia hugged him tighter and finally managed to fall asleep a little bit after William.

"Where is he?! Where is this bastard?!"

"Calm down, Doctor Brenks! Calm down!" Chief Inspector Brackenreid tried to stop Ethan Brenks who had stormed into Station 4.

"What is happening?" asked George suddenly distraught.

"Where's William Murdoch!?" shouted Dr. Brenks loud and clear, his eyes murderous, his hair disheveled, his shirt askew and his jacket half put on.

"He is…"

"What is happening?" William asked calmly, stepping out of his office.

He saw Dr. Brenks and Dr. Brenks saw him too. The doctor stormed towards him, and William was punched in the face which caused him to collapse to the ground, his nose bleeding.

"Where is she?! Where's my wife, you little asshole?!"

"No, but it's not okay! Get out of my Station, Doctor Brenks!" Brackenreid ordered red-faced, as Higgins and Jackson grabbed him by the arms and tried to drag him out as he struggled.

"I know you're fucking my wife, bastard! I know it's you! But I warn you." he pointed a finger at him. "You won't get her! You won't get her, she's, MY wife! Mine! You understand that!"

"Get out!" the chief inspector almost yelled.

"I warn you, Brackenreid! It's all over! No more collaboration, no more! I wonder how you're going to manage without a morgue and without a medical examiner. I'm going to ruin you, you hear me?! I WILL RUIN YOU!"

Ethan Brenks stormed out of the Station, which immediately fell silent. All the officers and Brackenreid turned to William Murdoch, still on the ground with a bloody nose. If no one could believe what they had heard, they were all in shock. The revelation was unexpected.

Brackenreid shook his head, looking at William.

"We are in deep shit now thanks to you. I warned you Murdoch."

William sighed. What exactly was expected?

Note: Well… it looks bad, it seems.