Page 71 of Battle with a Billionaire

“I’m just letting her know that we are nothing alike.”

The memory she’d had of Kyle danced across her mind again, making her stomach twist into a knot.

“I’m sorry. I don’t seem to be doing so well with the family dynamic.”

“It’s not your fault, Julia. Kyle and I have a very complicated relationship.”

Julia held her breath, wondering if she was part of the reason for that. Before anyone could explain further, a new figure hovered in the doorway.

The blonde, in towering heels and haute couture, set her gaze on Julia, her expression filled with disdain. “Well, well, well, look who’s awake.”

Who was she? Julia tried hard to place her, but couldn’t.

“Now’s not the time, Lydia,” Grant answered.

Lydia? She didn’t recall a Lydia.

The woman ignored him. “Well, aren’t you even going to say hello?”

“What are you doing here, Mom?” Sierra asked with a sigh as she crossed her arms.

Lydia, Sierra’s mother. Julia tried to mentally log the information.

“I came to see if Sleeping Beauty had awoken yet. And look, she has. Was it Prince Charming’s kiss or something else?”

The words sent a shiver down Julia’s spine, and she slouched lower in the bed. Sierra’s mother must be Grant’s ex-wife. They probably didn’t get along. She wondered when Lydia and Grant had gotten divorced.

Heat washed over her as she wondered if she had been the reason. Had she broken up a marriage? No wonder the woman hated her.

“Get out, Lydia, we’re busy,” Grant barked.

“Well, that’s no way to be, Grant. I’m here to visit Julia now that she’s finally decided to wake up from her endless nap. I see the entire family has rallied around her. Even Conner.”

“Kyle,” he answered.

“Whatever,” she said with a wave of her hand.

Conner? Was he not Lydia’s son?

“Hi,” Julia said, offering the woman a smile, “thank you for coming. Uh, I’m actually?—"

“She has amnesia,” Sierra filled in for her. “She doesn’t remember anything. However, in your case, that’s a good thing. Believe me, Julia, you’re better off.”

Lydia’s features twisted into an amused grin, and a laugh escaped her. “No! Amnesia? Oh, my. Well, isn’t that an interesting turn of events?”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Grant said as he leapt from his chair. “I think it’s time for everyone to leave. Julia is under enough stress right now that she doesn’t need everyone badgering her.”

“Looks like someone isn’t pleased about being forgotten. I’m not surprised. Don’t worry, darling, I haven’t forgotten you.”

Julia screwed up her face as the scene unfolded.

“Get out, Lydia,” he said again.

“I’m going. I’m going. See you at home.”

Home? Did she live at Harrington House, too?

Julia slicked a lock of hair behind her ear as the overwhelming nature of the situation smacked her in the face again. She’d lost her entire life. And apparently, it had been rife with complex relationships and complicated family dynamics. She already felt lost. How would she re-learn all of this?

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