Back up
707 Words
CHAPTER 6
MAYA GRAYSON
“You’re awake,” Julian said, not even looking up, his voice calm.
I rubbed my eyes and walked across the cool tiled floor, barefoot. My robe hung loosely on me as I sank into the chair across from him. “Barely.”
His hair was still damp, like he’d just taken a shower, but he was already dressed—sharp and effortless as always. The warm smell of fresh coffee hung in the air. He slid a hot cup toward me.
“Made it myself.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Since when do billionaires make their own coffee?”
He gave a small shrug. “Since they can’t trust anyone else to get it right.”
I took a careful sip. The bitter taste helped me wake up. We sat in silence for a bit. I could hear staff talking faintly through the open doors. Outside, I saw waves crashing and tourists snapping photos, but I didn’t move.
My eyes drifted to his phone on the table. My stomach tightened.
“You could’ve just texted like a normal person,” I said quietly.
Julian didn’t blink.
I put the cup down, the porcelain clinking on the saucer.
My voice sharpened. “You signed it ‘R’. What was that about?”
He leaned in, tapping the table lightly. “It’s my middle name. Robin. You never asked.”
“You made it sound like a threat.”
“It wasn’t. It was a push.”
“A push for what?”
His jaw tightened a little, then relaxed. “To remind you that you weren’t alone. Not back then. Not now.”
I looked down, not sure how to feel. There was a stillness between us I couldn’t name.
A staff member came over and placed a chilled champagne bucket between us, then left quickly. I raised an eyebrow.
“Are we celebrating something?”
Julian gave a small smile. “Maybe just the fact that we’re both still standing.”
I didn’t laugh, but I felt something loosen inside. I grabbed a croissant, broke off a piece, then paused. “Why bring me here, Julian? The real reason.”
He didn’t answer right away. He rolled his sleeves up higher and finally said, “Because you were slipping. And Annie was scared.”
I blinked. “She called you?”
He nodded. “She said you wouldn’t listen to anyone. Said you were shutting down, and someone had to step in before you disappeared completely.”
I looked back at my coffee, steam still rising. “I’m not some helpless woman.”
“No,” he said softly. “You’re strong. But even strong people need a break.”
I stood up and walked to the terrace edge. I crossed my arms, staring out at the sea. People below were laughing, kissing, taking selfies. Their lives looked so easy. So far from mine.
“Jeremy’s filing lawsuits,” I said. My voice was tight. “He wants to ruin the Paris company. Says I stole information.”
Julian stepped up beside me, solid and quiet. “Did you?”
I turned to him, hurt. “No. Everything I built came after the divorce. Clean. All of it.”
He nodded slowly. “Then he has nothing. And I can make sure it stays that way.”
I frowned. “Are you trying to help me—or control me?”
He tilted his head a little. “Neither. I’m giving you something you haven’t had in a long time. Someone on your side.”
That word stayed in the air—side. It felt heavier than it should have.
I looked at him. He didn’t flinch or say anything more. He just stood there. Still. Real.
For the first time in a long time, everything—lawsuits, betrayal, that message—started to lift.
“So what now?” I asked quietly.
Julian glanced at the villa, then back at me. “Now we rebuild. You, me, Annie. Whoever’s left.”
“And Jeremy?”
He turned and walked toward the door, then stopped. “Let him chase ghosts. We’ve already mov
ed on.”
I watched him disappear inside.
- Writer
