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Chapter Ninety-Nine–Making the Effort
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The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred–A Little Good News and a New Bone to Pick
“Good morning, Stephen. To what do I owe this early morning call?” Julie’s day would go downhill if her morning routine ended up interrupted. In the last month, it’d changed so much with Michael’s interest in her changing as it had. He’d returned to work again in his office, so she finally had time for herself. It evoked a blend of positive and negative emotions. She still struggled to get her writing ready for Mike, her editor, to work his magic with it. The idea of what she would do with her novel once Mike completed it caused her to wrestle internally. Michael may assume her publisher would retract their decision, but she’d heard nothing after the meeting and the few words online. “Julie, I know you, and I wanted to check in with you. Please inform me if you need anything or have any good news to share.” “I’ll survive if that’s what you mean, Stephen.” “How is that husband of yours?” “He’s fine, as far as
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-One—Visiting Aria
“Leon, you came.” Aria didn’t sound like herself. Or she didn’t sound like the woman Leon associated with that name. Her demeanour had changed completely. She now appeared calm and relaxed. It’s a side of her he had never seen. Before, she’d been full of life, flying from one interest to the next as she tried to satisfy a desperate need for something she didn’t understand or could name. She’d push herself and others all the way until everything and everyone collapsed under the strain. Removing one small, unnecessary pill from her life made a remarkable difference that he could only marvel at. He’d wished he’d seen this earlier. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I come? I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.” Aria appeared speechless. He couldn’t believe it. She believed he’d dumped her here and walked away. “I don’t know what I expected, really. But thank you.” Leon knew he’d need to adapt too a lot. Not only was she calm and relaxed, but she thanked him. For what
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Two—Surprise Evening at the Country Club
“Are you ready, Julie?” An hour ago, Michael returned home from work. He occupied himself in the condo until dinner. Julie found he’d changed his habits in yet another way. Tonight, he’d called her and left a message telling her to wear her green evening dress and be ready to go out this evening. They’d received an invitation to a party hosted by one of Michael’s friends at the country club. Julie couldn’t decide whether to call Michael and cancel their plans. She was uncertain about what to expect after her recent visit to the country club. “Michael, I’m ready, but I’m not sure this is a clever idea. They don’t like me there. You know that. I’ll just embarrass both of us.” Michael looked at her. “Julie, we must be there tonight, together. I know you hate surprises. But this is one, and you’ll have to accept it at face value.” She knew she’d have to suck it up and do this. She could see Michael wouldn’t budge. “Fine, then
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Three — Julie Stands On Her Own
“I’m sorry I’ve written four full-length novels and am writing a fifth right now. So please tell me the title of which novel you’re speaking of, and specifically which character do you believe is you?” Julie knew this would happen, eventually. Someone would express how unhappy they were with the belief Julie wrote a character about them, and it would shine a light on their behaviour. “You won’t deny writing about us?” Valorie’s disbelief positively dripped from her words. Julie couldn’t believe they expected her to fall for something so stupid. She mentioned it to Aria, and possibly mentioned it to Lizzi, but it was a casual remark if she did. Julie couldn’t recall mentioning it to Valorie, but it didn’t matter. Instead, Julie turned Valorie’s words back on her with her own pointed message. “I think my writing reflects more on your guilty conscience and my ability to write relatable characters; don’t you think? So, will you admit you’re embarrassed that it mig
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Four–Aria Sees and Grows
Aria felt different. No, everything felt different for and to her. Nothing felt the same to her anymore. People were different, colours were different, even food and drink tasted different. Despite the doctors’ and nurses’ attempts, she couldn’t grasp the reason or method behind it. Even Leon seemed changed. He’d always been overbearing, but now she could see it wasn’t him being mean and selfish. Leon tried to push her to see things she refused to. That’s what this place taught her. Her home life growing up wasn’t normal, and now she felt used by everyone involved in this. In therapy, she realized how people manipulated her and why. She’d never understood the reason behind it, nor did she believe these people were manipulating her. Even her father and mother, teachers, nannies, and everyone had ulterior motives. Her mother used her to extort money from her father to keep her a dirty little secret. Aria stopped being Senat
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Five—Seeing The House
The next evening, Michael took Julie to see the new house. It wasn’t far from where the condo they lived in was. As they entered a gated community, she felt like they were stepping into a different world. Julie saw other residents. Living in this place would feel odd, because guards secured the community’s gates, while only residents used the roads and walkways. “What’s the matter, Julie?” “I feel like we’re in a fishbowl. Everyone here will know us and what we’re doing. They’ll judge us.” “I’m sure they’ll be too busy worrying about how everyone is judging them, too.” Michael said. “That does not define this community. Here we can relax and know that our family will be safe. The area boasts excellent schools, three well-maintained parks, its own access to the local mall, and a private gym only for residents.” “It sounds so isolating.” “I thought you preferred to avoid socializing?” “How can I collaborate wit
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Six–Plans and Declarations
When Julie finally saw the entire house from top to bottom, she was slowly coming to realize that there’d be several things she’d have to get used to. Lots of space and experiencing how rich Michael truly was. He didn’t think anything about walking the property to go to work. He added to the members of their staff as if it were nothing. Meanwhile, Julie was still worried she’d spent too much on an iced latte. But she knew this would take time to make the space her own, and the community concerned her too. What if it was the country club all over again? For that matter, what did they know about boats or sailing? Did Michael know anything about barbecuing? Or having kids, for that matter. It sounded like it would be a lot of work. “Michael, how am I supposed to write in one building and look after these children you want in another? There’s a pool in between. That scares me. What if one of them falls in when I’m distracted by writing? “First, look at t
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Seven–Asking for Advice
Julie didn’t know how to respond to Michael’s words, but that didn’t stop her from questioning everything she wanted to say. She wanted her dreams she’d lived with and later forced to push aside. Julie knew that her feelings and dreams made little sense to anyone but her. Julie found many of her hopes and dreams based in her past traumas, and she’d have to grow past them. To her, nothing made sense these days, because she used her past to translate the present. Only that didn’t work anymore, Michael changed it all. She’d learned she could live her life questioning everything and doing nothing. Or just go with whatever happened and live with whatever unfolded. She could plan everything to the tiniest detail, but the plan could fall apart before she even started. People weren’t truthful, and she hated that. Ultimately, she had to continue, regardless of their presence. Julie pondered the extent of Michael’s temptation. She wanted to believe he wanted this. Julie
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