Page 44 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

JULIA

Julia flicked her gaze across the lawn to the table as she approached, still laughing about the memory of a failed barbecue. Her smile faded a little as she noted the tension at the table. It faded all the way when she spotted the extra guest.Lydia.

Her mind churned with conflicting emotions at the unwelcome sight, a reminder of the chaos she’d left behind. It sent a pang of anxiety through her.

Beside her, Luke’s presence was both comforting and unsettling. The easy laughter they’d shared moments ago now felt like a distant echo as she braced herself for the tense confrontation ahead.

How had the woman found them? No matter how, her presence did not bode well. Not for her familial situation or for their plans to foil her attempts to ruin Grant.

A more sober Julia approached the two open seats, selecting the one next to Grant. “Hi, sorry we’re late. We lost track of time.”

Duchess growled at Grant as she sat down at Julia’s side.

“Duchess stop that,” Julia said.

“No problem, sis,” Alicia said. “Did you have a nice morning?”

“I did, yes,” she said, trying to keep her voice even.

“Sunrise on the Summit?” Alicia asked.

“Yes. And Luke happened to be there…”

“What a coincidence,” Kyle said.

She shot him a narrow-eyed glance at the insinuation. “And we hiked the back side of the Summit. Took a little longer than I remembered.”

“We were fine. I was just getting to know your…family better.”

They ordered their lunch before the conversation resumed. Lydia narrowed her eyes at Luke before she pointed a manicured finger at him. “Don’t tell me we’ve addedanothermember to the little harem?”

“What?” Alicia asked.

Lydia patted Grant’s hand. “Well, your sister is married to Grant, kissing Cooper–”

“Kyle,” Kyle corrected.

“Whatever,” Lydia answered before she turned back to Alicia, “and now…this strapping fellow. What’s your name again?”

“Luke,” he said with a tight-lipped smile.

“Luke. Well, I can see the appeal. He’s quite…” She shifted in her seat as her back arched. “Inviting.”

Sierra slouched in her seat. “Ew, stop. We’re going to eat lunch. I don’t want to be sick first.”

Her sister centered her gaze on Julia. “How do you stand this?”

“Well…” Julia said as the waiter delivered their meals.

“I was just telling your sister that we’re actually more normal than we appear.” Grant’s features seemed pleading. She wondered how badly the conversation had gone before she arrived.

Julia nodded as she dug into her salad. “Grant’s right.”

“You’re telling me this is normal? The two fighting half-siblings, one of whom is into you, living with you while you’re married to his father and also living with his ex-wife?” Alicia glanced up from her plate, centering her eyes on Grant. “And you dared to cut in last night while she was dancing with Luke when you’re making her live with one of your exes?”

Lydia cackled as she slapped the table with a ring-clad hand. “Grant, you didn’t!”

“That’s not exactly what happened,” Julia said, stabbing a few pieces of lettuce to take out her frustration.