Page 46 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

Grant heaved a sigh. Dramatic or not, they’d just accused her of something she hadn’t been doing.

Sierra rolled her eyes after a second. “Whatever. It’s over. She’s not cheating, crisis averted. I’ve got to run. Bye, Daddy.” With a kiss on his cheek, she pounded her way to the front door and disappeared.

Grant collapsed into his chair with a heavy sigh and a heavier heart. “Would you like to say I told you so now or did you want to save it up for later?”

“I would not like to say it at all, sir. Though I will answer your earlier question about how this could have been missed.”

Grant flicked his eyebrows up, prodding for an answer.

“You know very little of Mrs. Harrington’s personal life. And it seems she is intent on keeping it very close to her.”

Grant scrubbed his face. “You’re right. And I don’t have any right to ask her for more.”

Worthington puckered his lips, clasping his hands in front of him.

“You don’t agree again.”

“I am uncertain this has to do with rights, sir, but more to do with wants.”

Grant let his head fall into his hands. “I can’t take your cryptic remarks, Worthington. Obviously, I lack the ability to properly handle Julia. Just tell me what you’re saying.”

Worthington offered him a fleeting smile. “Perhaps you ought not view it as handling the current Mrs. Harrington, but rather sharing a life with her.”

“But we don’t. We don’t share a life. She made that very clear before she stormed out of here.”

“Did she? I overheard her explanation.”

“Then you know what I’m talking about.”

“Did she make it clear that she does not wish to share a life with you or does she assume you wish to maintain personal boundaries?”

He frowned at the question. She couldn’t possibly think that. Could she?

They’d never had the conversation he’d wanted to have after the dinner party. And Sierra had made it very clear her role was merely for show. She’d pulled away.

He slid his eyes closed as he realized she’d become more withdrawn from the moment she’d witnessed the issue with Bianca. When she’d said he owed her nothing, he hadn’t refuted it.

Grant’s voice lowered, tinged with vulnerability. “Oh, Worthington, I’ve really made a mess of this, haven’t I?”

He paused, his gaze distant, as he reflected on his past, littered with failed relationships and guarded emotions, which had led him to misinterpret and mishandle the delicate bond forming with Julia.

“Life is often messy. It does not seem to be unfixable.”

Grant tapped his phone. “It is if she won’t speak to me.”

Worthington offered a fleeting smile. “The current Mrs. Harrington seems most understanding. I’m certain once she returns, you will manage to come to terms.”

Grant shook his head. “I’m still not convinced she wants that.”

“Sometimes small steps are better than large leaps.”

Grant heaved a sigh as he settled back in his chair. His eyes fell to another folder with a different photo. His uneasiness grew as he stared at it. “I was so caught up in the idea she’d been with someone else, this was nearly overshadowed.”

“Mr. Sterling is tracking it.”

“And yesterday, Julia was nearly hit by a car.” Grant exhaled a sharp breath. “And I barely comforted her because I noticed she still had her rings off. Though I managed to get jealous over the attention her doctor seemed to lavish on her.”

“Has Mr. Sterling been informed of the incident with the car and Mrs. Harrington?”

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