“Why’s there a woman coming here to teach me servant duties? Michael wanted that. Leon, we have money and can hire someone to do that. Why are you doing this? Haven’t you punished me enough? Now you want this, and you want me to apologize for whatever slight people think I gave them. If I hurt them, it’s their own fault.” “You think you can reason and guilt your way out of this Aria, don’t you? Well, I hate to inform you that you can’t. You are running out of choices, Aria. Your father won’t help you and doesn’t want to talk to you. Michael has Juliette back where she belongs and won’t welcome your intrusion. I have said what I expect from you. Feel free to use the door and never return. Here’s the thing. Your agency dropped you, so there’s no one there to catch you. You're jobless, homeless, and broke. So, are you going to be homeless? Or start learning to be a responsible adult?” “So, what? You want me to cook, clean, and look after everything? Oh, and you e
Juliette sat in her new office, and Michael watched her from the hall. Beckett went for lunch and Juliette kept tapping away at her keyboard, staring at the screen. He assured himself that she only focused on her work, and she wouldn’t focus like that without the medication he’d watched her take this morning. She didn’t work earlier because she forgot to take her medication. Michael found it sitting beside an empty coffee mug. Surprised by his findings. He was amazed by the vast internet knowledge on this medication. Michael read about fears that people who take this medication could become addicted to the medication. There were an equal number of articles claiming people with Julie’s condition couldn’t get addicted to the medication because their bodies used the medication differently. He wanted to know what addict forgot to take their drug of choice. He had to agree with others those who claimed Julie’s body didn’t use the medication the same way. This had happened twice
Aria’s thoughts on the last few days, and as she changed her clothes, she makes some decisions. She’s really not happy and she can’t understand why she can never be happy. Are Leon and Michael, right? She’s the one ruining everything and everyone isn’t out to get her. She’s the one ruining everyone’s lives. It couldn’t be all her fault. Marriage. That thought scared her out of her ever-living mind. Could she marry Leon? This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned marriage. Before this, every mention went nowhere afterward. She thought about it. She’d been the one to call off any marriage preparations by doing things to ensure they stopped the preparations dead in their tracks. Would this time be different? Or could she go to extremes again? Would she have to go to extremes? Did she have an aversion to marriage but lying to herself about it? She didn’t feel like she could think straight to make sense of this, and it hurt to think she might be the problem. A genuine problem an
Micheal spent less time at home during their honeymoon or any other time in their marriage. An occasional night in, but he usually insisted on quiet, and that she sat with him to watch whatever interested him. He’d always toyed with her body as they watched whatever it was. By the end of the program, she would feel flustered and frustrated. Then he’d enjoy a few rounds of sex with her before he rolled over in bed and slept. She couldn’t complain very much. If nothing else, Michael insisted on experiencing her orgasming around his cock, his fingers, or his tongue. Juliette’s mind flashed to the time he’d made her shatter with his thumbs there. It felt like he pressed her open as he watched her body throb and resist his actions. She’d felt no pain at all, but the resistance felt sinfully, delicious. Juliette pondered her options. He again slowly took over her life. Throughout, he insisted on making it a real marriage. She wasn’t sure Micheal knew what an act
“As far as I got with thinking about it would surprise you. One, I wanted to wait until our fifth wedding anniversary approached. Then we’d negotiate new boundaries and perhaps rewrite our prenup agreement. Two, what had me hesitating on extending the length of our marriage was a nonexistent issue. I received information about a rumour that you had a lover on the side. I had the divorce papers created because I was hurt. I’m selfish, remember. You were mine and only mine. Despite not being an actual marriage initially. It felt like one.” Michael spoke frankly as Juliette watched him. Had her actions made a difference with him? Or was that wishful thinking on her part? “Why didn’t you just keep looking for someone else to replace me?” “With Aria here in the condo, nothing changed. I wasn't expecting to see Aria so early in the morning. Upon leaving the shower, I instinctively thought of calling your name for a towel, not hers.” Michael glanced out the large win
“Julie? I thought you would have many things you'd like to change. But you’re silent. Would you like some time to consider?” Michael sat there and looked at Juliette across her desk. She’d chosen a simple desk with three small drawers under the tabletop and lots of leg room. Besides a filing cabinet and a bookshelf, she needed minimal supplies. Right now, Michael watched Juliette with concern. She looked like she’d stopped breathing and moving. He almost said more when she blinked suddenly and shook her head slightly. “I hadn’t thought about it. Why would I? You never cared about my thoughts or feelings before.” “Julie, stop it. We can’t get bogged down in the past. Right now, we’re trying to lay the groundwork for our future.” He watched her face, and she looked stressed. “Eat your food and think about the question. What boundaries do you feel you need me to abide by?” “If I say something, you won’t get angry with me in public. No embarrassing me
“Honestly? It was everything you did. But that came later. In January, once the party ended and I regained my sobriety, I could reflect on what had occurred. The situation didn't align with my expectations. I couldn't figure out why my past relationships couldn't fill the void in my life. I, uh, found myself coming home to get what I previously searched for from my other, uh, encounters.” He couldn’t believe how embarrassing it became to admit to Julie about his lovers and how it changed for him. “Until Aria, I hadn't had any encounters. I wasn’t interested in anyone else. As for Aria, I regret it because I know it has opened a door with her. She won’t let this end, and I’m afraid she’ll say it’s not over. You know how Aria is like a bad penny. She’ll keep turning up repeatedly.” He rarely admitted to having regrets, but in this case the regret ruined his life and his plans going forward. “I don't want anything from her anymore. The toxic nature of her life and the games she plays with
Returning to this place made Julie feel nervous. The anticipation of knowing she’d have to be sick for the next day or so didn’t help her sense of calm, either. “You look fine, Julie. There’s no need to pick at yourself, love.” Michael said as she picked at the sleeves and hem of her dress. She hated how it clung and felt like her skin couldn’t breathe. “I’m just wondering how to explain why I’m there with you. Everyone was there, and they watched me sign the divorce papers.” She was aware that he hadn't considered that evening. No one questioned him about what happened between them; everyone sided with Aria and her version of events. What story did Aria tell? Why did they believe her and not Julie? Simple. No one wanted to make an enemy of her father, Senator Cain. Who did Julie think she was? A nobody. The story Aria spread had Michael messing around with Julie, and Julie must have forced Michael to leave Aria. Aria explained her le