“Now, how are you doing? Are you nervous?” Juliette suspected Stephen was more nervous than she was. He’d somehow worked miracles and found a series of bookstores interested in having her do an in person signing and a reading from her most recent novel. She didn’t make a big deal out of it. He’d been in the business for decades now. He probably had a list of bookstore managers and owners on speed dial for just this situation. However, Stephen pulled it off, Juliette got out of the city on tour for a week. Which made her happy. She could forget to look over her shoulder or ensure she was avoiding those who claimed to be her friend for her husband’s connections. Or rather, so their husbands could have a connection to Michael. The encounter with Lizzi Hamilton at the gym was not pleasant. Juliette came prepared to avoid any confrontations and avoid any negative reactions. That wouldn’t happen for her. Lizzi had the nerve to fake a whisper about the an
“So, without further ado, I’ll start the reading and then go to signing your books. I’m afraid I won’t be taking questions. However, we have several ways you can get your questions to me, and I will select the best questions and post them in my next newsletter and on my website. I hope you will enjoy the section I’ve chosen to read tonight.” Juliette read a spicy scene from her novel, and a few cameras took pictures of her doing this. The owner quietly had them stop taking photos. Juliette felt trapped in her own personal torment. It couldn’t end soon enough. All she could feel was Michael’s eyes watching her. Judging her. In the end, Juliette moved to the table and began her signing section of the event. She became too busy to keep track of Aria and Michael, but she could still feel Michael’s nearness. It wasn’t until she heard Aria’s upset, whining tone. “I don’t want it anymore if she’s the one behind writing it. I want to go home now. Take me
Michael reached the condo a few hours later. He couldn't stop thinking about Juliette. He’d looked at what it took for an author to write one novel, let alone four, in the time she’d taken. It was clear she didn't have time for an affair. Let along keep the condo and her apartment going, writing, and keeping everything quiet. Add in, she’d kept it all from him while suffering from this condition. Each time he conversed with an expert; he witnessed her immense dedication to her life. Michael always prided himself on observing his surroundings and conquering them. He needed control of everything and everyone around him. He felt Juliette lied to him and let him think he controlled her. His life hadn’t become easier or better with Aria living with him. She’d not taken any of his requests seriously. The condo looked worse than Juliette's party by the end of the week. Aria fully expected Michael to hire staff to fix that. Then there was her lack of culi
Leon knew Aria wouldn’t last with Michael. Michael didn’t realize that Aria and he were too toxic with each other. Michael needed tender loving care. Leon possessed something that Michael never experienced in his childhood. He also knew Michael completely denied this and tried to ignore his need for love or caring of any kind completely. Aria, too, tried initially to use their similarities to gain Michael’s attention. She, however, learned that attention worked well as a weapon and a tool. It didn’t solve or achieve anything with Michael, though. Her purpose using the sympathy and pathetic card served her, including pity for profit, benefits from sex to gain a place to stay. She also used it to punish people. Aria manipulated people to create discord for her own trivial motives. Aria destroyed her competition like that and hurt those that might block her from gaining her latest desire. Everyone believed Leon caved to Aria’s every whim, but in private, he didn’t. He knew he
Michael came home to find Aria’s luggage in the main entrance hall of the condo. This appeared to be easier than he’d expected. Michael planned to toss Aria out on her ear tonight. Yet, it appeared unlikely to happen now. It looked like Aria was taking the initiative and leaving on her own. He wondered if that meant she finally wanted nothing to do with him. He believed it was too good to be true. On their wedding day, she left him for Leon. Michael’s ego hurt more than his pride that day and he’d been blaming Juliette for every screw up. He’d listened to Aria and regretted going with Juliette to plan the wedding arrangements. Aria insisted on Juliette as the wedding planner, and Michael couldn't refuse. He dropped large amounts of money on anything and everything Aria wanted. He loved the way she treated him when she felt happy. Now he knew that happy for Aria was but a fleeting concept for her. Michael couldn’t be happy with her, and Aria couldn’t be happy
“He’s so mean, Leon, and everything is about him is just spiteful. I'm unable to fulfill any of his requests. I have no idea what to do. That’s why we hired servants. Baby, he doesn’t even know how to satisfy me like you do.” Aria was back to her childlike personality and pouting as she said this. Her entire appearance appeared if she’s been to hell and back again with Michael in control of her torture sessions. Michael snorted when he heard her words. His life was hell, and Aria didn’t help at all. He’d spent the week miserable with his existence and how unprepared his life had become without Juliette in it. Aria could have picked up Juliette’s mantle and stayed. Instead, Aria tried to manipulate him the entire week. She tried to compare the so perfect Leon to how unfair Michael acted toward her. Aria regretted leaving Leon after just a few minutes of talking. Michael became the monster in this situation as well. He found that part both insulting and annoying. He had no o
Promptly at ten in the morning, Michael and his lawyer sat at a conference table waiting for Juliette and her lawyer to enter the room. “You really want to use this clause? I’ll tell you it might not be enforceable in the courts and her lawyer may call you on it.” This new lawyer didn’t mince his words when he talked to Michael about it, and he didn’t hold back his opinion either. Michael had mixed opinions over this. The lawyer could cause problems later, but he appreciated his honesty and thorough analysis. “They’re late. Yes, I won’t sign the divorce papers until I know what is going on,” Michael stated determinedly as he adjusted his tie. He could never get the knot of how he liked it. His shirt felt wrinkled, and he’d run out of his favourite hair product. He wanted Juliette back where she belonged. There’s no way she could be happy alone. Did she take her medicine? Could she live on what she made from her books? Was there a lover? Or not? He
Michael could see she hadn’t taken her medication. She needed it to regulate the chemicals in her brain. He knew if she didn’t, this confrontation could cause many problems for her. “Juliette, you need to remember to take your medication regularly. Refusing it now is a terrible idea. How will you manage the rest of your day? Gentlemen, as you can see, my wife needs supervision to function and meet the demands of her life. I fully intend to provide that care. This is not acceptable. This was a terrible error, and I am unwilling to let it stand. If my wife wants a divorce, she will have to prove to me we can’t have a good marriage. We can revisit this in six months’ time. Until then, my wife will move back into our home, and we will resume our marriage in all ways. I will consider marriage counselling at a later date if it’s needed. It's not up for negotiation; I'll bring this before a judge if necessary.” “What? I don’t understand. You always told me our marriage was a tri