Page 61 of Bliss with a Billionaire

She cocked her head. “Your total destruction.”

Grant slid his eyes closed as she returned to collect her drink and settle in front of the window again. “Why? What did I ever do to you to warrant this?”

“You’re joking, right? You mean your wonderful little wife didn’t confess my secrets after our tete-a-tete at the manor?”

He narrowed his eyes. Julia hadn’t told him anything about a conversation between them. “Explain it to me because I still don’t understand.”

“You ruined me, Grant. You destroyed my soul. You and your constant abuse.”

He screwed up his face. “Are you kidding me? I never abused you.”

“Physically, no. But in every other way. You and the constant roaming eye. The late nights. You never saw the real me, Grant, only what you wanted to see.” Her voice was cold, her eyes reflecting unresolved pain. “You never gave me any recognition.”

His ex-wife’s recollection seemed seriously flawed, and he wondered for a moment if she had lost whatever mind she’d had. “I never cheated on you. Ever. That would have been you. You were constantly throwing yourself at other men. And those latenights…they were all to support the lifeyouwanted. The parties, the trips to Paris, the lavish dinners, the jewelry.”

“No,” she claimed with a shake of her head, “no, you wanted that.”

“Lydia, please. You can’t just say things and expect me to believe them. I may have once upon a time. I fell for the ‘I only want you’ line, but not now.”

“Grown, have we?” she taunted.

“I know what real love is now. Julia taught me.”

Lydia downed the rest of her brandy before she poured another. “Well, isn’t that lovely. Sweet little Julia taught you what love is. Maybe if you’d have known that when we were married, I wouldn’t be so hellbent on destroying you now.”

“There’s no reason for your actions. You’re just vindictive. Look at what you nearly did to your own daughter.”

Lydia glared at him. “Why don’t you ask your precious wife about that? I’m certain she’d be happy to explain.”

He knitted his brows as he pondered what she meant.

“Look, Grant, I’ve had enough of this conversation. Get out.”

“We’re not finished–”

“Get out!” she screamed. “Get out!”

“Fine. I thought we could come to some agreement now that you’ve been shut down on almost every front, but if you want to continue this war, that’s fine. Just don’t complain when I come at you with both barrels blazing.”

“As if you could. Julia may have taught you love, but she’s almost morphed you into a weak, pathetic excuse for a man. At least when you were married to me, you were ruthless. Now…you’re just sad.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Grant said with a shake of his head. “Sad is the farthest thing from what I am. For the first time in my life, I’m happy.”

“Yet here you are at my doorstep.”

He pressed his lips together as he stared at the floor for a moment. “You’re right. You’re not worth my time. I should be at home, enjoying my new family. Something you’ll never have.”

He spun on his heel and strode toward the door.

“Don’t be so sure,” Lydia called.

He didn’t give her the satisfaction of a response outside of the slamming door behind him.

The memory faded from his mind, and he blew out a breath as he let his head fall into his hands. The door opening drew his attention.

He slumped back in the chair as Mitchell stepped inside.

“We really need to stop meeting like this, Grant,” the man said, his features taut again.