Page 136 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

He supposed he needed to face it, but he couldn’t. And he couldn’t stand the crazy desperation Kyle continued to spew. The man thought he could turn the tides with some daring scheme or by discrediting Julia’s family, but that wouldn’t work.

The fire in Julia’s eyes as she’d told him they shouldn’t be married had been enough to stop him from a desperate attempt to salvage their relationship only to have his heart broken again. She’d meant what she’d said. That was evidenced by the restraining order she’d filed. She didn’t even want to give him the chance to make things right. She was finished.

His hand trembled as he reached for the door handle, the cold metal seemed to burn his skin. He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself, his eyes momentarily closing as he tried to fortify his resolve.

He pushed into Sierra’s room, hoping his face masked the turmoil brewing inside him.

She glanced up from her phone as she lounged against six pillows. “Daddy, why are you here?”

“I wanted to check on you.”

“Umm, why aren’t you with Julia?”

“Oh, she’s, uh, she’s fine. But they’re still keeping her in the hospital. She insisted I come home to be with you since there was nothing I could do for her there.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m texting her.”

“Sierra, don’t…” His daughter’s swift fingers beat him to it. “Bother her. Never mind.”

“Who’s bothering? I’m keeping her company.” Sierra crinkled her nose a second later. “Ugh, she’s not answering.”

“She’s probably busy with her sister and resting.”

Sierra rolled her eyes as she dropped the phone on the duvet. “You should just go back there. I’m fine.”

“I have a better idea. Why don’t we spend some time together? This trip was about family bonding, and we haven’t done much of that. Maybe we can sneak some in before we leave tomorrow.”

Sierra offered him an unimpressed stare. “Fine. Let’s bond. Oh, but if you’re inviting Kyle, it’s a hard pass.”

“I’m not,” Grant said as he dragged a chair closer to her bed and sank into it. “Pick a movie.”

Sierra aimed the remote at the television and navigated to a film. His heart clenched as she pressed play. It was the first movie he and Julia ever watched together. It made him heartsick for happier times.

He managed to get through it and a few others before Sierra started to nod off as the sun descended below the horizon. He kissed her forehead, turned off the television, and headed for his own room.

He tossed and turned in his bed, unable to settle his mind. Should he make one last attempt to talk to Julia? Maybe he could say something that would change her mind.

Conflicting voices battled in his head for dominance. One urged him to call Julia and fight for their relationship, the other whispered warnings of further heartache and rejection.

He recalled the misunderstanding with his temporary secretary, Bianca, how she’d clammed up, gone cold. No, itwouldn’t do any good. When Julia made her mind up, there was no changing it.

Visions of her shaking her head and saying, “No, Grant, I’m sorry, but I don’t belong with you,” tormented him until the sun rose over the gentle ocean.

The calm waves contrasted the storm that raged inside him as he rose from his bed, still weary, but needing to move. He’d have to come up with some way to tell Sierra that Julia was not coming back with them later today. He didn’t know how. Maybe coffee would help.

After a shower, he pulled on clothes and made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He froze, hovering in the doorway as he stared across the room. His heart pounded against his ribs, and he blinked a few times to be sure he wasn’t imagining things.

Julia leaned against the counter, eating ice cream from the container as she watched the sunrise.

“Julia?” he said as he staggered a step closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

She twisted to face him, offering a slight smile. Was he imagining this? “Good morning.”

“Hi. What are you doing here?” He slid his eyes closed as the question escaped his lips. Great way to sound like he didn’t want her here.

“Last day, right?” she answered after another bite of the ice cream.

“Yeah,” he said, still uncertain.