Page 6 of Battle with a Billionaire

“I know what you were implying. And no, it’s not that extreme. At least not that I know of. We’re just…on two separate pages at the moment, it seems.”

Julia glanced at her own wedding photo. The words struck her heart. It seemed she and Grant were on two different pages at the moment, too. Though she was on a page she had no right reading.

“I’m sorry, Ally. Why don’t we set up a time to talk this weekend? You can tell me everything.”

A quiet knock at her door drew her attention behind her. Kyle leaned against the jamb, his hands shoved into the pockets of his scrubs. He offered her a soft smile as she held a finger up.

Alicia heaved a heavy sigh on the other end. “It’s just different over the phone, but…yeah, okay. Let me look at my calendar, and let you know when I have two hours to whine.”

“I’ll do the same. Text me if you need anything before then?”

“I will. I love you, Juju.”

“I love you, too, sis.”

Julia ended the call, not certain she was ready to face the next crisis looming on her doorstep.

“Did you tell her yet?” Kyle asked as he wandered into her office.

Julia pressed her lips together at the question, uncertain she was ready for the onslaught that he was undoubtedly about to unleash. “Good morning to you, too, Kyle.”

“Sorry,” he said as he dragged a chair closer to her and eased into it. “Good morning, Julia.”

She offered him a disingenuous smile as a warning.

“My question still stands no matter how pretty your smile is. That was your sister on the phone, right? The one who has no idea you’ve been married for a year and now are apparently staying married.”

“Yes, that was my sister. No, I did not tell her. And it’s still none of your business why.”

“You obviously have your reasons. I’m not sure I’d want to tell someone I got married to save someone’s image. So, how did he manage to convince you to stick around and play CEO and wife?”

Julia slouched in her chair, slumping her shoulders. This was the same argument over and over. Kyle continued to misunderstand the situation or misconstrue it to fit the negative image he’d already constructed about Grant. “Kyle, must we do this?”

“Yes,” he said with a bob of his head, “because I haven’t seen any evidence to prove that what I’ve been saying from the beginning is incorrect.”

Julia sucked in a deep breath as she sought the strength to deal with the argument all over again. “Kyle–”

“What did he give you this time? Six months? Nine? How long until I have to worry that you’ll disappear on me?”

“A year.”

“Another year. Another five million, too?”

“Yes,” Julia answered without meeting his gaze.

He shook his head as he leaned closer toward her. “Why do you put up with this?”

“Kyle, I have already explained this.”

“Not well enough,” he answered, his jaw tensing slightly. “You deserve so much better than cleaning up his messes and making him look good.”

“You know very well most of this isn’t his mess, it’s DG Industries that’s creating this chaos. Not Grant.”

“So, you’re staying because it’s not his fault. You’re allowing him to treat you like the hired help–”

“He does not do that, and you know it.”

“Do I? Does he or does he not demand your presence at the drop of a hat with no regard for your schedule? Does he or does he not thrust things upon you without asking? Does he or–”

---