Chapter 14
It had been a month since Julie moved into the Manor, and by now, the butlers and maids had grown used to her presence. But her arrival brought drastic changes to the
house.
Julie made it her mission to erase every trace of me from the Manor, no matter how small. The family photos that were placed
were
in the living room replaced by
abstract paintings she claimed were modern and chic.
The garden house Anthony built for me to nurture my collection of succulents was also completely transformed.
Julie had replaced the greenery with rose. bushes in various colors. She claimed it was more romantic and would add life to
the Manor.
Julie, emboldened by her new status, began acting like the next Mrs. Harris even
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though their relationship had not been
made official.
Several times, she tried to persuade Anthony to marry her. She knew he had already divorced me, and with her pregnancy, she thought marriage was the next logical step.
“Anthony,” she said one evening,
running her fingers along his bare chest as they sat in the bed, “don‘ t you think it’s time we made this official? I mean, with the baby coming, people will start asking questions.”
Anthony did not look up from the tablet he was scrolling. “We’ll talk about it after ‘the baby is born,” he replied curtly.
Julie pouted but did not press further. She also did not suspect a thing.
As long as she could live in the Manor and bask in the luxury Anthony provided- designer clothes, jewelry, and extravagant dinners–she was content.
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It was, after all, her dream to date a
billionaire.
What Julie did not know was that Anthony had begun to see through her.
He had grown suspicious of her intentions, and though he had not voiced it, he had no plans to marry her.
In his mind, the baby she carried was the only connection they shared. The child was the Harris family heir, and Anthony had resolved to protect the baby, no matter what Julie did in the future.
Anthony began closely monitoring Julie‘ s activities.
When she complained of morning sickness and requested time off from work, Anthony compiled without hesitation. But instead of resting at home, Julie often used the opportunity to go out and meet her friends.
In just one month, Julie had spent ten times the amount I used to spend–and it was all for her personal indulgences.
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Chapter 14
Designer handbags, spa treatments, lavish lunches at high–end restaurants–none of it escaped Anthony‘ s notice.
In comparison, I had always used the credit cards Anthony gave me wisely.
Most of my purchases were for household items, decorations, or books. I occasionally used the money for courses to improve. myself or paid for small projects around
the Manor.
The workers at the Manor noticed the stark difference too. Though they remained professional, they could not help but gossip about Julie’s sudden presence and the dramatic changes she brought.
But there was little they could do; Anthony, despite his growing suspicions, still spoiled Julie excessively.
One day, Julie approached Anthony with another of her whims.
“I’ve decorated the garden full of roses,” she said with a proud smile. “My
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friends are dying to see it. Can I invite them over for a tea party?”
Anthony’s brows furrowed. The idea of exposing their relationship to the public
did not sit well with him.
“You know I don‘ t like inviting outsiders. to the Manor,” he replied.
Julie’s expression crumbled, and she began to cry.
“I’m so lonely here,” she sobbed. “Since I got pregnant, my emotions are all over the place. Can’t you let me have just this one thing? My friends make me happy.”
Anthony sighed, rubbing his temples. He said at last, “You can hang out with your friends, but do it elsewhere. Take the driver and go wherever you want.”
Julie blinked, stunned by his cold tone.
“But… I wanted them to see the Manor.”
“No,” Anthony said firmly.
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For the first time, Julie began to sense. Anthony’s growing distance. But instead of reflecting, she doubled down on her efforts to win him back.
So, that evening, Julie tried to confront. Anthony again.
“Are you upset because Daisy hasn‘ t come back yet?” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
“Do you blame me for her leaving? I wanted to be friends with her, but she just disappeared! Do you think she left because of me?”
Anthony stared at her, his patience wearing thin. He thought back to the stark contrast between Julie and me.
When we were together, I never cried or whined like a child. Instead, I approached problems with a level head, often brainstorming solutions with him over coffee or after dinner.
Our conversations ranged from the latest
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Chapter 14
For the first time, Julie began to sense Anthony’s growing distance. But instead of reflecting, she doubled down on her efforts to win him back.
So, that evening, Julie tried to confront. Anthony again.
“Are you upset because Daisy hasn’t come back yet?” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
“Do you blame me for her leaving? I wanted to be friends with her, but she just disappeared! Do you think she left because of me?”
Anthony stared at her, his patience wearing thin. He thought back to the stark contrast. between Julie and me.
When we were together, I never cried or whined like a child. Instead, I approached problems with a level head, often brainstorming solutions with him over coffee or after dinner.
Our conversations ranged from the latest
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Chapter 14
books we had read to current events, always stimulating and thoughtful.
eve
With Julie, felt superficial. She cried and whined to get her way, offering little in return but her charm.
“Julie,” Anthony said, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I’ve had a long day at work. If you continue this, I’ll revoke your privileges to go out altogether. Just obey what I said.”
Without another word, he left the room, choosing to sleep in what used to be our bedroom, leaving Julie crying alone in the guest bedroom.
Day by day, Anthony found himself comparing Julie to me. The differences were glaring.
He also began to notice her frequent trips to bars and her meetings with not only her female friends but also male
acquaintances.
The doubt that had been simmering in his
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mind boiled over.
“What kind of social life is this for
someone who’s about to become a
mother?” he wondered.
Anthony’s suspicion deepened, and though he did not confront Julie directly, he quietly started gathering evidence.
His trust in her was eroding, and with each passing day, the reality of his mistake
became clearer.
At the office, Anthony’s man, tasked with keeping tabs on Julie, reported back with minimal findings.
“Everything about Miss Osborn appears. normal, sir,” the man said. “She’s been close to your friend Zach Stevans since. college. There’s nothing suspicious or worth investigating further.”
Anthony was not satisfied. Something about Julie’s behavior gnawed at him.
He decided to bypass intermediaries and
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speak directly to Zach, the man who introduced Julie to him after his previous secretary resigned.
That evening, Anthony met Zach at a high- end bar. As he walked in, Zach greeted him with a grin.
“Hey, Anthony! It’s rare for you to ask for a meeting first,” Zach said, clinking his glass against Anthony’s empty one. “Usually, you avoid coming if it’s just us hanging out.”
Anthony wasted no time on pleasantries. He leaned forward, his expression sharp.
“Tell me, Zach, do you know where Julie’s parents are? You said you‘ ve known her since college–what else do you know about her background?”
Zach blinked, momentarily caught off
guard by Anthony’s directness. He
hesitated before answering.
“Uh… from what I know, Julie‘ s from outside London. She lived with her
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grandmother, who passed away a couple of years ago. Why? Are you planning to marry her? Is that why you‘ re asking about her family?”
Anthony shook his head. “No, I’m not marrying her.”
Zach’s face darkened. “What do you mean you‘ re not marrying her? She‘ s pregnant with your child, Anthony!” His tone turned sharp, almost accusatory.
“Or is this about Daisy? Are you still feeling guilty about her? Open your eyes, man! Daisy’s gone. She left you, and you haven’t heard from her in over a month. The only person beside you now is Julie.”
Anthony’s eyes narrowed. “Why the hell are you so furious about this?”
Zach froze, realizing his outburst had drawn attention. He quickly swallowed his irritation and leaned back, trying to appear
casual.
“Sorry, man. I’m just… tired. Had a
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rough day. I didn’t mean to snap. All I’m saying is, think carefully. You‘ ve already lost Daisy–don’t let Julie leave you too.”
Anthony s jaw tightened, his patience. snapping. He grabbed Zach by the collar, pulling him forward. “Shut your mouth. I didn’t meet you to hear your taunts.”
“Whoa, whoa! Okay, okay! Calm down,” Zach said, raising his hands in mock.
surrender.
Anthony released him with a glare. Without another word, he stormed out of the bar, his suspicions only growing.
The next morning, Anthony called Julie into the car under the pretense of taking her for a routine prenatal checkup.
At the hospital, Julie held his arm tightly, whining as they approached the lab. “Do they really need to take my blood? You know how much I hate needles.”
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“It’s necessary for the baby’s health,‘ Anthony replied calmly, masking his true intentions. “Just look at me and ignore the needle.”
Julie reluctantly complied, wincing dramatically as the nurse drew her blood. Anthony remained composed, his mind focused on the real reason for the test.
As soon as Julie‘ s blood was drawn, he discreetly handed additional instructions. to the lab technician for a paternity test.
A week later, Anthony sat alone in his study, the DNA results spread out on his desk. His eyes scanned the words over and over, his mind struggling to process what he was reading.
[Paternity: Negative.]
The child Julie was carrying was not his.