Julia licked her lips, refusing to meet his gaze. This was unlike her, especially now that the threat of Lydia no longer loomed over them.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
She blew out a long breath, her eyes still downcast.
“What were you doing in your office last night? Did Alex have more footage to check after you saw Kyle?”
She finally raised her eyes to his. “No. But…can we talk about that later?”
“Sure.” He furrowed his brows, setting his coffee on the desk and wrapping his hands around her shoulders. “Something bothering you?”
She nodded at him, her eyes turning glassy.
His stomach dropped at the nonverbal response and the disconcerted expression. “Julia, what’s wrong? What is it?”
She bit her lower lip as he guided her to a chair and eased her into it. He perched on the edge of the other chair as he pulled it close enough to take her hands in his.
“Julia, you can tell me anything. You know that, right?”
She tightened her hands around his, her forehead creasing.
“Well, except that you want to leave. Don’t say that, please?” He leaned forward to catch her eyes, offering a tentative smile.
“I’m not leaving, but after I tell you what I’m about to say, you may wish I had.”
The words sent a jolt through his heart. What was this about? He swallowed hard, trying to brace himself. “It can’t be that bad.”
She raised her eyes to his, her features pinched as she offered him a consoling glance. “Oh, Grant. Please know I’m very sorry about what I have to tell you, but…we said no secrets.”
“Okay, you’re scaring me here. Can you give me a hint?”
Julia flicked her gaze out the window with a long sigh before she focused on him again. “The night of the fire…”
“When Lydia trapped you there,” Grant said, his voice a low growl as he tightened his hands around hers.
She nodded. “Before she trapped me we…had a conversation.”
Heat washed over him, wondering what she’d said. Was it something about his past that had made her rethink her decision? No matter how many times she said she loved him, he still feared losing her. “Was it about me?”
“Yes,” Julia said, her voice heavy.
He slid his eyes closed. “Whatever she said, I’m happy to explain or…at least be honest about. I know you had some concerns about my past–”
She shook her head, pulling a hand free to stop him from talking. “No, it’s not…it’s nothing like that. It’s…a lot worse.”
Worse?His mind struggled to comprehend what could be worse than his ex-wife trying to ruin his relationship with his wife.
“I…was trying to stop this war. I thought if I could just get through to her, maybe we’d have some peace, finally.”
“Oh, Julia,” he said, cupping her face in his hand, “I love you for that, but there was something really wrong with Lydia. She can’t be reasoned with.”
“I know. I found that out, but not before she told me something. Something…awful.”
His eyebrow arched at the words. Was the awful thing about him?
“I…didn’t want to say anything until I made sure she wasn’t lying. So, I had it checked, and…she was telling the truth.” Her voice turned breathy as she held back a sob.
His mind went blank as he sat stunned by the words. What was she about to say, and why was it so upsetting to her? “O-Okay, that’s…a shock. Lydia telling the truth. Are you sure?”
