Chapter 2
The noise outside gradually quieted down. Julia tuned it out with earplugs and a sleep mask, sleeping soundly till morning.
Now that she’d decided to return home and take over the family business, she would have to quit her current job.
She hadn’t been to Falcrest Group much since Xavier was born. But back when Sebastian took the reins, she’d been by his side, helping him build the
company.
Falcrest Group was the top company in the country, and Julia had played a big part in making that happen. That was why she still collected hefty dividend checks and bonuses every year without ever setting foot in the office.
Early in the morning, Julia studied her reflection. Her dark brown hair fell in gentle curls around her delicate face, and her striking eyes held no warmth.
She was d
a striking woman. Even though the endless grind of being a housewife wore on her, her beauty held on
But the constant morning sickness and her family’s cold cruelty wore her down over time, until her eyes turned dull and empty,
Julia was waiting for her resignation letter to print on the top floor of Falcrest Group when she overheard some employees talking.
and you see, Penelope’s Instagram?”
“Not yet. What did she post this time?”
“A whole bunch of stuff. Looks like she’s celebrating someone’s birthday. You should check it out.”
They laughed and joked until one of them looked up and noticed fulla. Their smiles vanished.
“M–Ms. Summers?”
“Ms. Summers, you’re at the office today?”
Julia nodded casually.
They muttered quick greetings before practically bolting. As they retreated, she caught fragments of their hushed voices.
“Ugh, of all people. Why’s Julia even here?
“She’s already married to Mr. Holt. Did she have to rub it in our faces?”
“Please. I’ve seen the way Mr. Holt acts around her. He’s not even that into her. Wouldn’t surprise me if they got divorced.”
Julia didn’t react to their words. She’d never been well–liked at the company, so she was used to this by now. She never would’ve fallen for Sebastian if he hadn’t helped her through all that workplace bullying.
Bored from waiting, Julia pulled out her phone and opened Instagram
Penelope posted a nine–photo grid. The first one was from Xavier’s birthday party last night. The decorations were over the top, and the centerpiece was a massive three–tiered cake.
But what caught Julia’s attention was a photo taken at the hospital, where three hands of different sizes were stacked together, looking warm and tender.
She only had a minor burn(So why was she back at the hospital?
Julia found it ridiculous. She scrolled through the comments, tinding that nearly all of them were full of well–wishes and admiration.
“Wow, is this your child’s birthday party? So sweet!”
“Showing off again, huh? Who’s this secret husband of yours? Won’t you let your bestle meet him?”
“No matter what, being together as a family is the greatest happiness.”
Julia knew Penelope had posted all this just to get under her skin, to goad her into lashing out at Sebastian like some unhinged woman.
The old Julia wouldn’t have put up with Penelope’s petty games. And she definitely wouldn’t have tolerated Sebastian and Xavier leaving her behind to go fawn over some second–rate copy of hersell.
But now? Julia was leaving, so none of it mattered anymore.
She faintly smirked as she tapped the screen, leaving a bright red heart in her wake.
Once her resignation letter was ready, Julia took it and went straight to the CEO’s office, where she handed it to Alexander Kingston, Sebastian’s absistant
The secretarial staff had been whispering about her dismissively, just like the others before them. But the moment they saw her resignation Jetter, their yoides jumped with shock
A–am I seeing this right?
“Ms. Summers is quitting
Alexander’s face went right, panir flashing in his eyes. “M–Mrs. Holt, Mr. Holt is in an important meeting right now. Maybe you could wait until he’s done before landing this in?
Julia offered a faint smile. “Don’t worry about it. I’m a chief secretary, but that’s just on paper. Since you’re authorized to handle resignations, there’s no need to bother him.”
The onlookers sighed among themselves.
“Do you think the rumors are true? Julia and Mr. Holt are really over? And is Ms. Dawson the homewrecker here?”
“Ms. Dawson? But she’s married, Isn’t she?”
“Open your eyes. That hand in her Instagram post was obviously Mr. Holt’s. Nobody else in Javerston wears a Rolex that pricey.”
“Exactly. And think about it since Ms. Summers left for maternity leave, Ms. Dawson swooped in on all her tasks.”
“Now that Ms. Summers has quit, she’s probably clearing the way for her replacement.”
Julia knew how much these people loved to gossip. There was a time when hearing things like this would have crushed her, leaving her crying under the covers late at night.
But now she realized their words were empty the moment she stopped giving a damn.
She smiled at everyone as if she hadn’t heard a word they’d said and gave a polite nod. “Thank you for your hard work these past ten years. May Falcrest Group continue to thrive and prosper.”
An awkward silence settled over the room. Only then did Julia return to her desk to collect the belongings she’d gathered over the years.
As someone who’d spent ten years with the company, her workspace was packed with reference books from her early days and notes she’d carefully kept Jafter becoming Sebastian’s secretary.
The notes spelled ital out–he drank hand–ground coffee every morning, couldn’t stand tardiness, and banned perfume on any woman, plus all
plus all the rest. Every single note was a mark of Julia’s commitment, a quiet record of how much she’d given to this job.
Nobody had a clue what Julia gave up to be good at her job. To most people, being a secretary was just some little role for men’s amusement–something a woman could skate by in if she was hot enough
Sebastian was the only one who noticed the late nights she spent buried in contracts, the hours she put into perfecting presentations, the way she
every last one of Falcrest Group’s competitors until she knew them cold. He saw how she memorized every minor report as if it were second
studied
nature.
She worked so hard that even the untouchable scion had to take notice. He actually stepped down from his pedestal,
Julia had always believed Sebastian was the only one who really got her. Apparently, she was wrong. Everything between them fell apart in just ten years. Julia was busy gathering her things from her desk when the meeting ended. Penelope
d out first, her bright smile vanishing when she saw Julia.
Penelope’s stomach dropped. Was Julia here because of that Instagram post? Was she about to go off on her?
The idea left Penelope on edge. She sank back into her chair, restless and uneasy, waiting for the outburst she was sure would come
But all anyone else saw was her ducking her head, eyes brimming with tears like she’d been deeply hurt.
Sebastian was the last to emerge. Passing the secretarial department, he was caught off guard to find Julia at her desk.
Julia’s desk had always been the one closest to Sebastian’s office–a place of honor that once reflected her status and the closeness between them. Now, just the sight of her there put him on edge.
To make things worse, Julia seemed completely at ease, casually flipping through a book with a quiet smile. Next to her, Penelope sat hunched over her desk, dabbing her tears with a tissue.
Frowning, Sebastian repped his knuckles on Julia’s desk. “My office. Now.”
She looked up at him, unbothered. “Alright.”
The second she walked in, Sebastian spoke up. “Falcrest Group has no use for you right now. Only show up if there’s a special occasion.”
