Page 77 of Battle with a Billionaire

Her features twisted with upset, and she reached for his hand. “I’m sure they will. Even if I don’t remember, I’m certain we’ll reconnect.”

He wanted to take solace in her words, but he wondered if the connection she promised had ever existed on her side. With the revelation looming ahead of him, would the Julia he knew and loved still look at him with the same eyes or would the truth erect an insurmountable wall between them?

He squeezed her hand, trying to find comfort in the moment, but only growing more apprehensive.

“I think you’d better get some rest. I’m sure this is very stressful for you. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

She smiled at him, resting her head against the pillow. Within ten minutes, her rhythmic breathing and the slow, steady beat of her heart monitor announced her sleep. He kept her hand in his as he stared at her for another few moments.

“Why did we have to be so complicated, Julia?”

Why hadn’t he met her at another time in his life and swept her off her feet? The question plagued him as he leaned back in the chair, reluctantly letting her hand go. Eventually, the constant beeping lulled him to sleep, too.

When he awoke the next morning, he found Sierra sitting across from him and Julia already awake. She smiled at him as she sipped orange juice, already dressed. She looked better already without the hospital gown. “Good morning. I’ve got good news.”

He rubbed his bleary eyes as adrenaline shot through his system. “You remember?”

She shook her head with a slight wince. “Sorry, it’s not that good.”

“She’s going home, Daddy! Isn’t that wonderful? Julia will finally be home at Harrington House.”

A grin spread across his face. “That’s great. It’ll be good to have you home.”

“I agree. I’ll bet she remembers everything when we get home.”

Julia grabbed his daughter’s hand. “Oh, Sierra, please don’t get your hopes up. I haven’t had even a glimmer of anything since I woke up.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just you being home and better is a really good step forward.”

“I will not miss this place,” Julia said.

A knock sounded at the door. Grant twisted, the smile sliding off his face as Kyle stepped in. “Good morning, Julia. You’re looking much better today.”

“I’m going home,” she answered with a smile.

“That’s excellent,” he answered.

“As soon as they get her paperwork, we’re taking her home,” Grant said as he grabbed her hand, his joy over taking her home tempered with the dread of what he had to tell her when they got there.

“Great,” Kyle answered. “And I just so happen to be off, so I can go with you.”

Grant clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the armrest, his knuckles whitening. The air crackled with unspoken animosity, a silent war waged in the glances they exchanged.

“Umm, listen Crazy–”

“Will you please stop with that nickname?” he asked.

Sierra narrowed her eyes at the man. “No one asked you to come.”

“I think Julia needs all the support she can get. Especially with Lydia lurking around the halls.”

“Fine, it’s fine,” Grant said as he recalled the promise he’d made to Julia last night. She remembered Kyle. Maybe seeing him would continue to spur her memory. He hated that the only recollection of her life with them was of Kyle, but he’d take what he could get. He didn’t care how her memory came back, as long as it did.

“Daddy!” Sierra exclaimed.

Grant held a hand up. “Sierra, it’s fine. Kyle is…a member of this family. And Julia also said she remembers him somewhat. Maybe that’ll help.”

“I still can’t believe you remember him of all people,” Sierra said with a roll of her eyes.

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