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“But…I…she said she’d…what?”
“Make them public if I didn’t help her.”
Sierra’s eyes turned glassy as she stared up at Julia, an incredulous expression on her features. “What?”
“I’m so sorry, Sierra. We didn’t want you to know anything about this,” Julia said with a shake of her head as she sank into the seat next to her and took her hand.
Sierra sat stunned for a few seconds, her eyes wide with shock. She finally lifted them to her father. “Did you see them?”
“No, baby, I didn’t.”
“Did Kyle?”
“No. Only Julia has seen those. But I trust her judgment. If she thought it would be a bad thing for you if they got out, then I believe her.”
“It would be a horrible thing. Daddy, I’d be ruined!” Sierra burst as tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Julia patted her hand. “It’s okay, Sierra. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. Which is why we didn’t tell you. Your mother can’t know any of this. She thinks only I know she’s behind DG. So, you can’t say anything. You can’t confront her. Okay?”
“Julia’s right. Sierra, I know this is upsetting, but you can’t say anything to her,” Grant chimed in.
Sierra swallowed hard before she yanked her hand away from Julia’s. With a stiff posture and a clenched jaw, she flicked a tear off her cheek. “Yeah, right. Whatever. I won’t say anything.”
“Sierra…” Julia started.
“No,” Sierra said as she stood, sniffling. “I won’t. It’s fine. It’s just…it’s whatever. I’m going to my room.”
“Sierra,” Grant said as he reached for her.
She stumbled back a step, avoiding him. “I’m fine. I’m fine. I know what Mom is. I’m totally fine. I don’t even care. Just makes me hate her so much more.”
She spun on a heel and darted from the room after a struggle with the door. Julia watched her go. Sierra was desperately trying to hold her emotions in check, but she had a feeling she’d unravel the moment she was alone. Her heart broke for the woman.
She flicked her gaze to Grant.
He shrugged. “Well, at least she’s not confronting her.”
“I think she’s far too upset for that.”
“I’m sure she’s angry. And she’s not good at hiding her anger. I just hope she doesn’t continue to brood over it until she talks herself into a screaming match with Lydia. Then we’re all sunk.”
Julia furrowed her brow. The feeling she'd picked up from Sierra wasn't anger; it was more like distress. It seemed to be a profound, hidden heartache she tried hard to conceal from everyone in the room. Maybe telling her with Kyle present wasn't the best idea, but she had asked him to stay, hoping desperately to keep the family united.
His own upset over what he viewed as preferential treatment of Sierra pushed her to do it. The last thing they needed was a fight between the two siblings at this critical juncture.
But had her impulse to try to manage everyone’s personalities made things worse?
She licked her lips as she tried to focus her thoughts. “I’ll check on her as soon as I send this message to Ava. Maybe having a plan will help settle her.”
“Thanks, Julia,” Grant said with a squeeze of her hand. “I’ll look in on her, too, but…you may be the best one for this job. I’m sorry in advance.”
“Don’t be. I’m happy to do it. She’s important to me.”
The clatter of Kyle’s glass onto the drink cart startled her. She assumed he was unhappy about her loyalty to Sierra.
Grant heaved a sigh before he set his gaze on Julia again. “She’s lucky to have you.”
A quiet moment stretched between them before Julia sucked in a breath. “Well, I’m going to go discuss this with Ava. I hope to have some answers soon.”
