Chapter 12
Harry was deeply in love with Arya, a fact well–known to Julia. Is decision to marry Julia was influenced heavily by Arya’s condition.
Arya had never been favored by Lucia, who had openly declared that Arya would never be welcomed into the Wright family. To sidestep his mother’s plans to marry him off to someone else, Harry had devised a plan with Arya.
Their scheme was simple. Harry would marry Julia temporarily to pave the way for Arya to eventually become his wife after their planned divorce.
As Julia pieced together the reasons behind her marriage, she realized she was merely a pawn in Harry’s game to clear the path for Arya. Despite this, she acknowledged that their arrangement also served her purposes, so she didn’t feel entirely exploited.
With this new understanding, Julia walked into the room, her thoughts interrupted by the sight of Harry descending the stairs with a laptop bag.
“Are you leaving again?” she asked almost reflexively.
Harry paused, sensing her inquiry as an attempt to make him stay. He approached her and asked. “Do you want me to stay?”
Taken aback. Julia quickly clarified, “No, I just wondered why you came back. Just for a laptop? It seems like a small thing to fetch a laptop. something your secretary could have handled. So why bother coming yourself?” Julia remarked, eyeing the laptop bag suspiciously.
I’ll be out of touch for a while. My mother may contact you, Harry stated flatly, maintaining his composed demeanor.
Julia looked away. “Fine.”
He added, “I need to look after Arya. If my mother asks you about it, you know what to say, right?”
“I won’t interfere with your mother’s or Arya’s matters. But rest assured. I know my role here, Julia responded, realizing Harry wasn’t really justifying his absence to her.
Julia, my mother really likes you,” Harry continued. Lucia’s unexpected affection for Julia was one of the reasons he had agreed to this arrangement, making them a couple only on paper.
Julia waved her hand dismissively. “Alright, I know what I should do. It hasn’t happened yet, anyway. If Lucia finds out, I’ll deal with it then.”
Harry looked clearly unsatisfied with her casual attitude. He was about to mention Donald’s debt, but she cut him off “Remember our agreement. Especially the third condition–I need to work!”
“Fine, just make sure you don’t bring any shame to me while you’re at it. Harry scoffed.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll be working under my own name, no as ‘Mrs. Wright,” Julia reassured him with a smirk.
Harry sneered. “That would be best.”
After Harry left, Julia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was accustomed to the solitude of the house. The presence of Arya had always made her feel like an outsider in her own home as if Arya was Harry’s true wife.
Reflecting on Arya made Julia scoff at herself. She had foolishly thought earlier that Harry and Arya were having problems.
Julia sank into the sofa, her demeanor catching the housemaid’s attention, who sighed suitable wife, tolerating her husband’s affair.
That evening, Julia sat down with her laptop, determined to find a job. Having studied jewelry design in college, she knew it wasn’t easy to find work in such a niche field. Yet, she was eager to shed the label of “Mrs. Wright, even if it meant starting from scratch.
After submitting her resume, Julia’s thoughts drifted to the news of Rose’s miscarriage. Although the online backlash was intense, it didn’t personally affect Julia much. Still, curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn’t help but check the latest updates.
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