My love is a body double

Chapter 5: A Pleasurable Alliance

Rupert observed Julia with a sense of resignation. Her guilt, though she tried to mask it, was unmistakable. There was a time when he had harbored resentment towards her, but he was not so petty as to hold a grudge indefinitely.

"You need not worry," he assured her gently. "I harbor no thoughts of retribution for your past actions."

"But what are you implying then?" Julia's brows furrowed in confusion. "You're well aware that my engagement party with Albert is imminent."

Julia was perplexed; it was implausible for Rupert, the man who single-handedly upheld the Kent family, to stop by merely to show her some documents.

"The Whitwick Port project – you're aware of it, aren't you?" Rupert began, keeping his language straightforward for clarity's sake. "It's a lucrative opportunity for many corporations. Whoever secures it won't have to worry about their company's stability for the next decade."

He spoke plainly, intending to enlighten Julia, for in the game he was playing, she was a valuable piece against Albert.

"The Whitwick Port project, I'm familiar with it," Julia said, her voice tinged with realization. "Are you suggesting I use it to trip up Albert?"

Despite her cryptic phrasing, Rupert understood and nodded, his gaze returning to the documents in her hands.

"Exactly. I need the Whitwick Port project as well, and I intend to teach Albert a lesson. More importantly, I aim to shake the foundation of the Wilde family. It might cause them to lose this opportunity."

Julia was silent, her eyes fixated on the paternity test before her. Anger simmered within her, but a lifetime of decorum prevented any public display of outrage.

Seeing her silent, Rupert mistook her contemplation for agreement. With a sigh, he added:

"Of course, if Ms. Julia doesn't mind the prospect of her future husband fathering a child with a waitress, then disregard our conversation. Pretend you saw nothing today and forget all about this place once you leave tomorrow."

"To think I'd be so saintly as to accept my fiancé's illegitimate child is ludicrous," Julia retorted. "However, the Malthu family is also vying for position. A hasty withdrawal from the engagement would undoubtedly impact us. I will collaborate with you, but not hastily. Next month marks the anniversary celebration, and by then, I plan to gracefully exit this arrangement."

Rupert was taken aback by her rapid-fire response, regretting that he had ever agreed to her annulment. Julia, often perceived as meek, proved to be a formidable asset when leveraged correctly.

"A pleasure to collaborate with you, Ms. Julia."

"Pleasure is not the word I'd use," Julia said sharply, her anger evident. "But know this – my cooperation isn't solely to hinder the Wilde family."

With their conversation concluded and their alliance formed, Rupert departed for his room. Julia, too, did not linger, meticulously gathering the information on Albert and returning to her quarters.

The following afternoon, Rupert noticed the puffiness around Julia's eyes, a silent testament to her distress. Opting not to broach the subject, he instead presented her with an ice pack as they got into the car. Julia, touched by the gesture, applied it without word.

Upon nearing her home, Rupert gently roused the slumbering Julia, his voice softer than she had anticipated.

"Ms. Julia, wake up. We've arrived."

Her eyes, now free of swelling, betrayed only the faintest traces of fatigue. She thanked him and stepped out of the vehicle, proceeding alone to her doorstep where a haggard Albert awaited her arrival. His face lit up with joy upon seeing her, but Julia's heart, once stirred by his visage, now felt nothing but cold resolve.

"I haven't been anywhere of note," she told him, a chill in her voice. "I'm tired and wish to rest. Please, leave me be."

Albert's barrage of questions about her sudden disappearance and the whereabouts of her wedding dress only served to amplify Julia's perception of his deceit.

"The dress was ruined," she said dismissively. "I'm sorry to have disappointed you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need some rest."

Despite Albert's protests and offers to accompany her to the hospital, Julia was unwavering. Her determination to end things with Albert was set. All that remained was to enact her plan on the anniversary, pushing Flora into a corner and securing her own victimhood in the eyes of all.

As she entered her home, leaving Albert behind, she pondered her next steps, preparing to reveal her strategy to her father. Albert, tasked by his father to find Julia, stood helplessly as she disappeared inside, his fabricated tale of a night spent searching falling to pieces. His real concern laid elsewhere: the alliance between their families, and his own affections for Flora.

Cindy was fraught with relief, as she had never been apart from Julia for such an extended period. Losing contact was unprecedented, so having her daughter safe and present was a cause for solace. Norton nodded in agreement before addressing the still-overwrought Cindy.

"Cindy, why don't you whip up something for Julia in the kitchen? A bowl of porridge might do."

"Alright, alright, hold on Julia. Mom's going to make your favorite, milk oatmeal porridge," Cindy replied, turning to head to the kitchen. Julia nodded in silence, and then, with an unspoken understanding, she and her father settled onto the couch.

"Julia, you need to be straight with me. Was it Albert who left you behind yesterday? Where did you go after that, and where did you spend the night?" Norton asked.

His concerns stemmed from noticing the distinctive custom tailoring of Julia's coat. He had been informed by the butler that the surveillance footage captured Julia's unusually cold demeanor towards Albert at the doorstep. Despite his past repeated advisements for Julia not to get too involved with Albert, it seemed futile. But now, witnessing her deliberate detachment, Norton, as a worried and perplexed father, sought answers.