Page 36 of Believing in a Billionaire
“But you did. This is why Sierra and I were so concerned about her staying here.”
She slid her eyes closed as they snaked through the opulent halls. A dull thud pounded at her temples.
“Julia, are you okay?”
She massaged her forehead as she snapped her eyes open. “Yes. I just wish everyone got along. Ally lashes out when she’s upset. And everyone here sees her as a threat already.”
“Because maybe she is,” Kyle said as they reached Sierra’s room.
“She’s not. She’s just having a tough time. She and Ethan are fighting and…never mind. I’m not leaving. No one is going to make me leave, okay? Now, I’m going to make sure Sierra is okay. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Yeah.” He pulled her into a hug before he disappeared down the hall.
Julia blew out another sigh as she knocked at the door.
“What?” Sierra’s voice barked.
“It’s me. Can I come in?”
The door opened a second later, and a sniffling Sierra frowned at her. Julia cocked her head as she wiped a tear from her stepdaughter’s cheek with her thumb. “Sierra…”
“Come in. We can list all the ways I’m as crazy as my mother.”
“You’re not,” Julia said as she stepped past her stepdaughter into her suite. “You know that.”
“Still stinks to hear it from your bitchy sister.”
“I know. And I told her, too. That was uncalled for and unacceptable.”
Sierra pouted as she raised her eyes to Julia. “Really? You yelled at your sister for being mean to me?”
“Yes, I did. And she’d better not do it again.”
“Or you’ll yell at her again?”
“I will,” Julia said as she adjusted a lock of Sierra’s hair and offered her a consoling smile.
“You don’t think I’m like Mom, right?” Sierra asked.
“I don’t. And you aren’t.” Julia pulled her into a hug before she pulled back. “How are you handling the news about her, by the way?”
Sierra’s frown deepened as her forehead creased. She shrugged, refusing to look at Julia. “I’m fine.”
“Are you?”
The worry etching Sierra’s face intensified as more tears slid from her eyes. “No.”
Julia guided her to a chair and eased her into it as she perched on the edge of the other one. With a tight hold of Sierra’s hand, she gave her a moment to collect her thoughts.
“How could she get out?” Sierra squeaked. “I thought we were rid of her.”
“I know. We all did. But it’s going to be okay.”
“Is it? Julia, I’m scared.” More tears spilled onto Sierra’s cheeks.
Julia squeezed her hand tighter. “I know. But Grant isn’t going to let anything happen to you. And I know your mom threatened your reputation, but I don’t think she’d actually hurt you.”
Sierra flicked her red-rimmed eyes to Julia. “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. What if she does something to you? Julia, I can’t lose you.”
