Page 59 of Escape To Paradise
I was still in shock when Julian grabbed my wrist. He led me outside.
“Who is that woman, Julian?” I asked.
Julian looked at me with his blue eyes. “I’m sorry, Harper. That’s my wife, Sandra.”
“Wife?” My heart dropped to the floor. I was in a daze.
“We’ve been on a trial separation for months. But she came back a few days ago and said she wants us to work things out.”
“Work things out?” It was as if someone took a dagger and pierced it into my heart. “Why didn’t you tell me over the phone?”
“I wanted to talk to you in person. I didn’t want to talk to you over the phone about this
matter.”
“So all this time, you were married?”
He didn’t answer.
“You lied to me, Julian. You strung me along.” Tears started flowing down from my eyes. “You made me believe you cared for me.”
“I do care for you. I do.” He tried to hold my hands, but I stepped back.
I looked him straight in the eye, but Julian averted his gaze as if ashamed. With hot tears trickling down my cheeks, I said, “Goodbye, Julian.” I removed the pearl necklace Julian had given to me, and I gave it back to him. At first, he didn’t want to accept it, but I took his right hand and placed the necklace on it. I also handed him the key.
I turned and walked away, wiping my tears.
“You okay, Ma’am?” Barry asked.
“Yes, I’m okay, Barry.”
“Where to?”
“The Flamingo.”
I looked at the rearview mirror; Julian was still standing there, watching me leave. I tried to repress my tears, but they kept rolling down my cheeks.
Barry handed me a tissue. “You’re going to be okay, Ma’am.”
“I know.”
Barry dropped me off at The Flamingo. Maverick was at the bar, tending to the customers. I saw the girls and Paul sitting at the other side. I walked towards Maverick. As soon as he saw me coming, he stopped what he was doing.
“Harper, are you okay?” A look of concern was on his face.
“It’s Julian…”
He suddenly looked angry. “What did he do to you?”
“He’s been married all this time. He lied to me.”
“I’m sorry, Harper.”
“It’s okay, Maverick.” I told him what I wanted for a drink. “I’ll talk to you later,” I said before approaching the crew. They also looked concerned when they saw me.
“What happened to you? Are you okay, Harper?” Zofia asked.
“I’m not. I just found out that Julian hasn’t been honest with me.”
