Page 105 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

Sierra remained quiet for a moment before fresh tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Mom said…”

Julia rolled her eyes, trying to hold a groan inside at the words.

“Mom said it’s true. She said I’m awful, and mean, and terrible. And I’m hard to love.” Sierra’s shoulders shook again with sobs. “She said no one can love me.”

“That isn’t true, Sierra. Your father loves you very much. And James loves you. And–“

“But not you. Because I’m mean and awful. Just like she said. I’m like her. I’m like my mother. No, I’m worse than my mother.”

“No, you are nothing like Lydia.” Julia shook her head as she recalled the woman threatening to ruin her own daughter in order to secure her help to destroy Grant.

“Yes, I am. I was so mean to you when you came. I said you were just a bauble, and I accused you of cheating. And then…”

“What?” Julia said as she stroked her hair.

“You’ll hate me.”

“I won’t hate you, Sierra. Come on, what’s this horrible thing you did? It’ll make you feel better if you tell me so I can tell you that I still don’t hate you.”

“I can’t. You’ll wish you didn’t rescue me.”

“Now,thatI can tell you is a lie even without hearing it. I’m very glad you are safe. I was very worried about you, and I’m glad you’re not on that cliff face anymore.”

“Even though you fell off a cliff to help me and probably got all banged up?”

Julia chuckled as she stroked her hair. “Yes, even though I fell off a cliff, I’m glad you’re safe. I don’t care what you think you did that’s so awful that I’d hate you, I could never hate you, Sierra.”

The woman’s features twisted again as she sobbed more. “That makes it even worse.”

“Why?” Julia asked.

“Because you’re too nice. Daddy’s right. You’re too nice. You put up with Kyle and me and–“

“I’m not putting up with you. I care about you. Now, are you going to tell me or not?”

“No,” Sierra murmured as she scooted closer to Julia.

“Okay, that’s fine. You don’t have to tell me.”

Silence stretched between them as the rain softened outside and the rumbles of thunder grew more distant.

After another moment, Sierra sniffled again. “This morning after you left, I told Daddy he should sue you for breach of contract if you stayed here.”

Julia heaved a sigh. This was the terrible thing Sierra had done that would make her mad, she assumed.

“I just didn’t want you to leave us.”

“Sierra, I will always be there for you, okay? No matter what. Don’t worry about that.”

“But my first instinct was to do something mean to make you stay.”

“It’s okay. You were upset. People say lots of things when they’re upset that they don’t mean.”

Sierra pushed away from her, her features still scrunched with upset. In the face of danger, her usual bravado crumpled, showing a rare vulnerability. Her need for emotional support as much as physical marked a turning point in their relationship. “But what if I did mean it? What if I meant it, Julia? What if I would have done it? What if I’m a total bitch just like my mother?”

“I don’t think you are. I think you don’t like to admit you have feelings, so you hide behind being mean so people don’t know how deeply you really feel about them.”

“Like Mom,” she said, letting her gaze fall to her lap.