Page 5 of Believing in a Billionaire
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but…we’ve got a big problem. It’s DG Industries again.”
Grant’s stomach clenched at the words. He’d heard them so often over the past two years, but this was like a bad replay. Now what had gone wrong?
CHAPTER 2
JULIA
Julia eyed the new ring on her finger, a sense of excitement and anxiety filling her. She traced the delicate band, staring at the sparkling diamond that held whispered tales of a past she now belonged to.
She smiled down at it, happy to have traded the five-carat diamond for one that had more personal meaning to her husband. It was more than a ring, it was a symbol of his history, a lineage she had stepped into. It was a constant reminder that he had a personal stake. That maybe she wasn’t a passing phase for him, but a lifelong commitment.
He’d offered to prove it to her. She didn’t need six months to know how she felt, but she did have apprehension over her husband’s track record with women. He’d burned through four wives, some of his marriages not even lasting a year.
She wondered if she’d be the next victim. Was she merely the latest chapter in a long, complicated story, or was this truly a new beginning?
If the smiles in their wedding photo were any indication, they’d be very happy. Sadly, though, those smiles were staged. But the connection that had grown between them wasn’t.
At least now she knew it wasn’t one-sided. She smiled as she traced the edge of the frame, recalling Grant’s confession last night. The words echoed in her mind again.I love you, Julia.
He’d likely said them so many times before to women. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d sounded as sincere and heartfelt when he’d said it in the past as he did when he said it to her.
But the words had melted her heart. And she knew, despite her protestations, she couldn’t walk away from him. At least not yet.
So, she’d come back…she’d come home. It felt odd to call it her home even after two years. She’d always relied on the contract as the overriding connection between them, but now, they had a new one.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she said as she turned away from her computer to face the door.
It popped open and her stepdaughter stomped her way inside on her four-inch heels with a folder in her hand.
“Good morning, Step-mommy,” she said with a grin.
“Good morning, Sierra. You’re up early.”
Sierra pulled a chair closer and plopped into it before she set the folder on Julia’s worktable. “Yes, I am. And I have been a busy bee.”
“Oh? Publishing company work?”
“No,” Sierra said as she flicked open the folder and passed Julia a laminated calendar filled with color-coded notes.
Julia studied it for a second before she flicked her gaze to Sierra, her glance questioning. “What is this?”
“This is a calendar of all the Mother-Daughter events we’re going to do over the next three months. Now, I know what you’re thinking…”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Julia answered as she stared at the dozens of appointments.
“You’re thinking…what happens after three months? Don’t worry, I’ll give you a new set of calendars for that. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
With the packed schedule, Julia took solace in that statement. “Okay.”
“Finally, for the first time in my life, I can go to the Magnolia Ladies Club Mother-Daughter Tea Social, because for the first time in my life, I have a mother.”
The words warmed Julia’s heart, and she squeezed Sierra’s hand. “I can’t wait to go.”
“Well, hold that thought because, since I’ve never been able to attend before, my hat collection is woefully lacking. And I’m certain yours is, too.”
“Yes, probably. It’s nonexistent, to be exact.”
“Exactly,” Sierra said, “which is why I have hat shopping scheduled for later this week.”
