Page 72 of Ungodly Rich

“Because of what youbothdid,” Julia said, correcting her.

“And which of us stayed and faced the consequences?” Aphrodite asked ruthlessly. “Your fiancé did the same thing as always: he fucked up, then ran away.That’swho you’re marrying. But now he’s back, because that’s the other thing Harry always does. He comes home. He willalwayschoose his family, every time.”

Julia’s cheeks went pale, and she sagged a little, as if the fight had drained out of her.

“You can think whatever you want about me; I don’t care,” Aphrodite went on, dealing the killer blow. “But be honest with yourself about Harry, and what your life will look like once you become an Ellene.”

Julia seemed like she was about to say something; then she shook her head and walked off.

“I’m sorry,” Aphrodite called out after her, though she didn’t feel sorry in the slightest. As one of her favorite poets had written, all was fair in love and war.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Julia

Julia must have been more of an Ellene than she realized, or perhaps it was the Presbyterian pragmatism that she’d inherited from her aunt and uncle, but she didn’t make a fuss after her confrontation with Valentine. She just went back to the party as if everything were fine.

If anyone looked closely, they might have noticed that she was clenching her drink too tightly, smiling too broadly. But the only person who seemed to sense that something was wrong was Abby. Julia avoided her best friend’s gaze, not sure how to explain. She’d never told Abby about Harry’s affair with his sister-in-law. She told herself that it was too personal, that it wasn’t really her story to tell. But deep down, Julia knew that wasn’t the reason she’d kept silent.

Abby would consider it a deal-breaker. And Julia wasn’t ready for her friend to sour on Harry.

Ignoring Abby’s concerned glances, she kept circulating through the party, giving Valentine—and Preston—a wide berth. She found herself repeating the same lines over and over as various guests congratulated her.Thank you for coming. Did you travel a long way? Isn’t itlovely in London this time of year?She felt like an actress, pretending to be someone else, reciting words that a stranger had written. Words that had nothing to do with the real her.

The real her. Julia wasn’t certain who that was anymore. All she knew was that it wasn’t this woman, standing in a buttoned-up silk dress with long sleeves, listening to gossip about the prime minister—whose shockingly incriminating internet history had been published yesterday—or debates about utterly frivolous topics, such as whichreallyhad the best skiing, the French Alps or the Swiss.

When the last guests had finally left, Julia headed upstairs to the room she’d been assigned in London. It was a distinct upgrade from the bird room, with a canopied queen-size bed and a dresser where a collection of ceramic dogs was displayed. Wearily, she reached behind her neck to unzip her dress.

“What happened tonight?”

She looked up to see Harry standing at the door. He didn’t cross the room to help her with the zipper, to lift her hair and kiss the back of her neck as he normally would. He just lingered where he was, watching her.

“You mean, when Valentine tried to sabotage me by inviting my ex-boyfriend?”

Harry blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Valentineadmittedit! Your sister-in-law, or should I say your ex-girlfriend?” Julia knew from Harry’s sharp intake of breath that she shouldn’t have said that, but she couldn’t help lashing out.

“She admitted that she tracked Preston down and invited him? That’s what she said?” Harry demanded.

Julia hesitated. Had Valentine confessed all of that, or had she merely implied that she was guilty? “Well, she didn’t deny it,” Julia insisted.

Harry frowned. “Who is this Preston guy, anyway? You didn’t mention him before tonight.”

“Harry, I have a history. I never claimed to have been a nun before we met.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it! I just wish I’d had a bit of warning, instead of having to smile while that asshole kept lookingyou up and down, telling anyone who would listen that he was there first.” Harry clenched his hands into helpless fists. Julia rarely saw this side of him, but now and then, it broke through—this fierce, protective anger, which he usually held in check. “I can’t help wondering why you kept him from me,” Harry added bitterly.

“Because he’s not worth mentioning!” Julia snapped. “You’re hardly in a position to judge me for keeping secrets, given that you didn’t tell me your realname.”

“Are you seriously going to hold that over me forever?”

No,Julia wanted to say, but for some reason the word didn’t form.

Harry took a step forward. The air between them felt charged with hurt, resentment. Anger.

“Julia. I get that he’s an ex-boyfriend, but why does seeing him again upset you so much?”

“Hehurtme, okay? I thought I had sworn off rich, entitled people after what Preston did to me, and yet here I am, about to marry another one!”