Page 118 of Battle with a Billionaire

“No, it doesn’t. But it’s important to remember that the most likely outcome is that she will regain more of her memories and their connection will no longer be the sole one in her life.”

Grant let his head fall back against the plush leather of his chair. If she continued to regain negative memories of him, she’d be pushed even further toward Kyle. The thought tightened his fingers into fists. “Let’s hope our connection is as solid as it was before. If she remembers one more bad thing about me, I’m going to lose my mind.”

A knock sounded at the door, and a voice called out, unsettling his nerves even more. “Grant!” Lydia called. “We need to talk.”

“Ugh,” Grant groaned. “Now, I really am going to lose my mind.”

“Is there no end in sight for her to leave, sir?”

“None. Thank goodness I had that drink.”

The pounding on the door continued. “Grant! I know you’re in there!”

“Come in,” he called.

She whipped the door open and stomped her way toward his desk. “Beat it, Worthington. Grant and I have things to discuss.”

“If you need anything, sir, please let me know.”

“Can you just check on Julia quickly? See if she needs anything?”

“Of course, sir.”

“She’s fine. I just saw her. That’s what I’m here to talk about.”

“You were with Julia?” Grant asked as Worthington eased the doors shut behind him, leaving them alone. Frightening scenarios crossed his mind, and he wondered if he should check on Julia himself after a conversation with Lydia.

“Yes, I was.” She crossed her arms and cocked a hip. “Tell me, Grant, how much longer are you going to put up with this charade of a marriage?”

He swallowed hard, heat washing over him. Had Julia accidentally told Lydia about their contract under the misguided assumption that the woman was privy to that information? “Charade?”

Lydia heaved a sigh, letting her arms fall to her sides as she curled her fingers into fists and paced back and forth in front of his desk. “Yes, Grant. It’s pretty obvious what’s going on here.”

His discomfort grew with the conversation. If Lydia knew about the contract, it could ruin everything. Not just his plans to save his company, but also his plans with Julia.

Lydia swiveled to face him, arching an eyebrow high. “She may as well have just taken Cooper to bed right under your roof.”

He screwed up his face. “Do you mean Kyle?”

She clicked her tongue, her frustration obvious. “Whatever his name is! It’s obvious they’re having an affair. What I can’t understand is why the divorce papers aren’t pending.”

Grant tried to muster as much confidence into his voice as he spoke, though he didn’t feel it. “They are not having an affair.”

“Oh, really? She just happened to spend the night with him last night and nothing happened.”

“She fell asleep at his apartment, and he wasn’t even there. She just was trying to pin down some memories, that’s all.”

“Wow, she really has you snowed. I can’t believe this. The great Grant Harrington buffaloed by that plain Jane.”

Grant’s pulse sped at her words, his jaw flexing. “Get out, Lydia.”

“Oh, touchy. Must have struck a nerve. Think about it, Grant. Maybe now’s the best time for you to offload wife number five.” Lydia strode from his office, slamming the door behind her as she left.

Grant grabbed his glass, tightening his fingers around it as he fought the urge to fling it across the room. His mind raced. Lydia’s words were not just an accusation but a reflection of his deepest fears–losing Julia to a world he couldn’t reach. Her taunts felt like a confirmation of every insecurity, amplifying his turmoil.

He let go of the glass, allowing it to clatter across the desk as he rose. Maybe a conversation with Julia would set his mind at ease. Hopefully, it wouldn’t bring up any more negative memories of him.

He strode from his office and climbed the stairs. With every step he took, his resolve wavered. Would he make things worse? Would he feed into what Kyle kept telling her about him being controlling? Maybe he shouldn’t check on her.

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