Page 129 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

Would it be that bad?

Her sister rubbed a hand up and down her back before she slipped her arms around her and squeezed her tight. “Oh, Julia, it issogood to have you back in this house.”

“I was just here yesterday.”

“To pick up your raincoat. But having you stay here. Sleep here again. I’m the happiest woman in the world.”

Julia squeezed her sister back, trying to drink in her happiness and let it fill her. Her mind whirled, though. Her heart ached for her former family. How was Sierra faring? And would Lydia retaliate?

Maybe she could reach out to her stepdaughter. Would Sierra be just as angry at her as Grant, though?

“Now, I think you should head up to your room to rest. Or…we can settle on the couch…watch some movies?” Alicia grinned at her.

“Uh, I’m going to lie down, actually.” She couldn’t stomach a movie marathon with her sister. It reminded her of all the movie marathons with Grant after her hospitalizations. She needed a minute.

“Okay, sure. If you need anything, just give me a holler. And maybe later we can do a rom-com marathon?”

“Sure,” Julia said, forcing a smile onto her face.

The door opened behind her as she stepped onto the first step. Luke strode into the house, carrying a duffel bag.

“Hey, glad you could come,” Alicia said.

“Yeah, of course.”

Why was Luke carrying a bag? Was he staying? Her stomach twisted into a knot as she spotted the full-court press that was about to happen. Her sister was trying desperately to recreate the familiarity of her past. The foursome in the living room watching movies and sharing a meal.

But her heart wasn’t ready for it. Not yet. She continued up the stairs without a word to him and sniffled as she fought the tears that stung her eyes. The floodgates opened as she pushed into her old room. It remained unchanged.

That both soothed her and made her all the more upset. She sucked in breaths, desperately trying to control her emotions. She had been confused, but she hadn’t expected things to end like this.

She wiped at her tears, trying to sort through everything. She’d have to get her things from New Orleans. She wondered if she could avoid it. Could she tell them to burn her things when they cleaned out her apartment? Why not?

She didn’t want to go back to the city that held so many memories of her current life. A life she’d have to leave behind before she was ready.

She wondered if they’d sort out the mess with DG Industries and Lydia.

Her tears slowed as memories of the woman ripped through her. Maybe it would be better to be away from the mess.

A knock sounded, pulling her thoughts away from her former life and centering them back with her family.

“Just a second!” she called as she raced to the mirror and wiped at her cheeks.

The door popped open before she was ready. Alicia’s features went from smiling to concerned in seconds. “Juju? Something wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

“I’m fine,” she said as she sniffled. “Just…overwhelmed. I nearly died yesterday, and I’m just…glad to be alive.”

Alicia pulled her into a tight embrace. “Baby sis, I’m so glad you are, too.”

She pulled back before she guided Julia to the bed and eased her onto it. “Are you sure that’s all this is?”

“What else would it be?” Julia asked, wiping at her tears.

“Julia…please let’s be honest with each other, okay?”

Julia stared down at her lap. “I’m being honest. There’s nothing else. It’s been a long couple of days. That’s it.”

“If you’re sure…”