Page 48 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“To why you disappeared with my family and didn’t tell me.”

Julia sighed. “They’re my family, too. And we went on a vacation. Sierra planned it and told us about it less than twenty-four hours before we left.”

“You couldn’t have left a note?” Lydia’s eyes narrowed.

“I didn’t know I had to inform you of our travel plans. Besides, I had no idea where we were going. Sierra didn’t tell us until we were here. Believe me, had I known we were coming to Harbor Cove, I would have jumped off the plane.”

Lydia smirked at her. “Yes, it seems you’ve got yourself in quite the little pickle here, Buttercup. The truth comes out that you’re not quite so innocent, parading around wearing a promise to one man around your neck, while you sport a vow to another on your finger.”

Julia’s shoulders slumped at the words. She had a point, though her vows to Grant were in name only, but Lydia didn’t know that.

Lydia stalked a few steps closer, getting into her personal space. “I just wanted to let you know that if anything like this happens again, I’ll ruin you. And this time, I know Grant will believe me.”

Julia shifted her weight as she shook her head.

“You’re treading on dangerous ground, Sweet Pea. One more slip-up, and you’re finished.”

Lydia spun on a heel and stormed out of the bathroom. Julia stood in the stark lightning, staring after the woman. As if she didn’t have enough on her plate managing her past and present, but now she had another threat from Lydia looming. When would this end?

CHAPTER 11

GRANT

Grant stared after Julia’s departing form as she fled from the table. His heart, already twisted in knots, tightened even further. He’d failed miserably at making a decent impression on her sister who hated him. Lydia’s arrival had ruined his day even further.

And the icing on the proverbial cake was the admission that Luke and Julia hadn’t broken up for any compelling reason other than she wasn’t certain. He’d have preferred it if Luke had cheated or something horrible.

She’d gone to New Orleans to think…wearing his necklace. A necklace that she’d worn through the duration of their marriage. A promise to return to him.

The revelation struck him like a physical blow, sending a wave of crushing despair through him. He felt as if he were gasping for air, each breath heavier with the weight of unsaid words and unacknowledged feelings.

It crushed him. He searched every tender moment they’d shared, wondering if she’d been thinking of Luke. His mind landed on their wedding photo. Had her smile looked so real because he’d been in her mind?

Ethan cleared his throat as his wife trailed after Julia. “So, ah, you folks have any plans for the afternoon?”

Sierra shifted her phone around as she tried to take a selfie with the pond behind her. “Ugh, Kyle, get out of my shot.” She leapt from her seat and stomped her way toward the water.

Grant shifted in his seat. “I’m not certain. It’s been a little…topsy-turvy since we realized this was Julia’s hometown.”

“You didn’t know?” Luke asked.

“No, actually, Sierra booked everything and we had no idea where we were going,” Grant said with a polite smile.

Lydia rose from her seat. “Excuse me, won’t you?”

“Also, he didn’t know where Julia was from,” Kyle added as Lydia made her way across the lawn.

“That’s not…it wouldn’t have mattered,” Grant said.

Ethan narrowed his eyes at Grant, his arms crossed. “You seem like a really great husband for Julia. How long is her prison term again?”

The words stung him as it became apparent how much her family disliked him. Luke lowered his gaze to the table, the corners of his lips turning up.

Grant could have dove across the table and strangled one or both of them. He tensed his jaw, trying to maintain civility for Julia’s sake. “Look, I think we’ve all gotten off on the wrong foot–”

“I don’t,” Ethan interrupted. “I think the fact that Julia hid this from us speaks volumes. And I can see why.”

“Maybe she didn’t tell you because she knew how unaccepting you’d be.”