Page 43 of Believing in a Billionaire
His heart thudded against his ribs at the word, but her next statement sent a chill down his spine.
“I want your company, your fortune, and your family. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure I rip them out of your hands.”
He scoffed at the statement as he shook his head. “You’re not taking any of it, Lydia. Not on my watch.”
“You never could hide your fears from me, Grant. How touching, trying to play hero.” Lydia’s voice sliced at him like a knife, her words laced with venom. “But we both know, deep down, you’re terrified you’ll fail them…just like you failed us.”
“I won’t fail them. We fell apart because of your choices, not mine. You can’t steal anything from me now.”
Lydia laughed, her typical cackle. “But I’ve already started, Grant. On all fronts. You are about to lose everything.”
She twisted to glance out over the lake before she refocused her gaze on him. “I’ve set the stage for a little…drama. Your precious Harrington Global might find its foundations shaken sooner than you think. And Julia…well, wouldn’t it be tragic if her knight in shining armor couldn’t save her this time?”
Grant swallowed hard as she said the words. Though they were likely her usual threats, after everything that had happenedand continued to happen, he couldn’t help but wonder what horror they had to look forward to. And if they could stop it.
CHAPTER 10
JULIA
Julia’s world didn’t just tilt, it capsized, each breath a battle in the storm that raged within her, blurring reality and fear as the room spun in a disorienting dance. Kyle lifted her into his arms, crossing the room to the bed and laying her on it.
“Shall I call an ambulance, sir?” Worthington asked as he hurried into the room.
A moan escaped Julia’s lips, a raw sound of agony as pain lanced through her, a relentless throb at her temples mirroring the turmoil within her stomach. “No.”
“Yes,” Kyle answered.
“No!” she insisted. “I’m just a little sick. It must have been something I ate.”
Kyle laced his fingers through hers, his touch gentle yet firm. “Julia,” Kyle said, a warning in his voice.
“Kyle, I’m fine. I'm just feeling a little sick.”
Kyle pressed his fingers against her wrist again. “Julia, you are not fine. And these symptoms…sudden, severe. I’m concerned this isn’t just a bug.”
She sucked in a deep breath before she blew it out slowly, riding out a wave of pain and nausea. “I don’t want to go to the hospital.” Her voice came out more like a pleading whine than a directive.
Her mind was a chaotic whirlpool. The mere idea filled her with dread that rivaled the pain pulsing through her.
Kyle heaved a sigh. “I’m going to get my bag. Do not move.”
“Don’t worry,” Julia said as her head pounded. “I couldn’t move if I tried.”
“Good,” he answered. “After I’ve taken a better look at your vitals, we’ll discuss the hospital.”
She groaned as he stepped away from the bed.
“Worthington, do not leave her alone, okay? And she doesn’t move out of that bed.”
“I understand, sir,” Worthington said with a nod of his head.
Kyle hurried from the room, leaving Julia behind. She twisted the sheet under her into a ball in her fist she struggled to focus, a haze clouding her mind.
“Is there anything I can bring you, Mrs. Harrington? Perhaps a cool cloth for your head?”
Julia struggled to breathe through her discomfort as she shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Worthington’s features twisted with concern as he studied her.
