Page 114 of Battle with a Billionaire

“Could have fooled me,” Lydia answered. “It seems like you quite enjoy this little…triangle you’ve created.”

“What?” Julia cried.

“Oh, stop playing innocent. That may work with Grant and Junior Cadet, but it won’t fly with me.”

“Lydia, I’m not–”

“Save it for someone who believes your saintly act, Julia. I see what’s going on here. You’ve got Grant’s ring on your finger, but you’re slinking off at every turn with the young buck. Spending the night with him even. That’s bold.”

“That’s not how it was at all,” she said with a desperate shake of her head.

“Right. He’s so concerned and interested because you’re not sleeping with him.”

“I’m not!” she exclaimed.

“It makes no difference to me if you are or aren’t. But here’s something to consider. I have it on very good authority that Grant’s…losing interest in you. So, you may want to snatch up the other one before he’s gone. Although, if you want my honest opinion, you’re dull enough that anyone would lose interest.”

Julia screwed up her face at the words as she scoffed. Lydia rose from her seat and stalked to the door, pausing before she opened it. “Grant and I have been spending a lot of time together. The spark between us never really died. But the one between you two is about to burn out. The only reason he hasn’t let you go yet is because he feels guilty about your little memory problem. Why don’t you just make this easy for all of us and ride off into the sunset with…whoever.”

Lydia spun on her heel and flung the door open before she disappeared into the hall.

Julia sat in stunned silence, Lydia’s harsh words washing over her. How true were they? Did Grant bristle at Lydia’s presence because he was drawn to her but they couldn’t be together because of the marriage contract?

The conversation added a new layer of confusion to the already mixed-up world she lived in. Her mind swirled as confusion reigned. She rose from her seat and paced the floor before she crossed to her nightstand, grabbed her phone and her keys, and left the room.

As she reached the foyer, muffled voices floated through the closed doors to Grant’s office. She recognized Lydia’s voice, undoubtedly revealing the conversation she’d had with Julia moments earlier. Had Grant asked her to do it?

She pushed into the morning air and skirted her car, still sitting outside the door from earlier. She’d text Grant later, for now, she just wanted to be off the property. She fired the engine and left the house behind with no destination in mind.

She threaded through the streets as indignation burned inside her. When she stared at a familiar building, she sighed. Was this a wrong move?

Without answering the question, she parked her car, took the elevator upstairs, and stood outside of Kyle’s apartment. She sighed as she knocked at the door.

It opened a moment later. “Julia! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said as she strode into his place. “I’m sorry for coming, but I didn’t want to stay at that house right now.”

He eased the door closed as he reached for her hand. “You don’t have to apologize, Julia.”

“I do. This isn’t fair to anyone–”

“I don’t care. Come in.” He slipped an arm around her and guided her to the couch. “Sit down.”

She plopped onto the couch that had brought her so much comfort the night before with a sigh.

“What happened? Was it my father?”

“No,” she said with a sigh. “It was Lydia.”

Kyle sighed as he slouched back against the cushions. “She could drive anyone crazy.”

“So, it’s her, right? She’s not normal.”

“No, she’s definitely not.”

“Why does she live in that house?” Julia asked him.

“Uh, because she’s Sierra’s mother. I think…” Kyle winced as he slid his gaze to her. “You’re the reason she’s there.”

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