Dodged a Bullet

Winona, sensing the awkward atmosphere, let out an awkward laugh and extended her hand toward me.

"Hi, you're Julia, right? I'm Winona," she said, her voice overly cheerful. "Don't get the wrong idea. Heath didn't tell you the truth because he didn't want you to misunderstand. We're just friends now."

Looking at her pale, delicate hand, a wave of disgust hit me, and I felt the familiar sensation of nausea rise in my throat. The foul memories of that night resurfaced like a sharp sting, and I could almost smell it again, the revolting odor that filled my senses.

I couldn't help but remember the image of those hands, crawling on his back, asking him to give her a baby.

When Winona noticed my silence, she reached for my arm, attempting to be friendly, but I quickly slapped her hand away.

"Don't touch me."

She stood there, looking helpless, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she glanced toward Heath behind her.

"Julia, calm down," Heath said, his voice tinged with irritation. "You're overreacting."

He didn't understand why I was upset. He stepped forward and tried to pull me up from the couch, clearly intending to have me apologize to Winona. I grabbed my bag off the nearby table and swung it to keep him at a distance.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy. I can't stand it."

I cast a cold glance at their intertwined hands, fighting back the urge to vomit. I kept my expression blank as I spoke with flat contempt.

After hitting them with those words, I realized I couldn't stay in this room for another moment. I turned and left without another word.

But Heath wasn't done. He called after me, his tone menacing.

"Julia! You've crossed a line. If you don't apologize to Winona, the funding from Grant Enterprise to Harris Corporate and our wedding will be indefinitely postponed."

"Enough, Heath," Winona intervened, her voice soothing as she tried to placate him. "Ms. Harris probably just thinks the environment at the auto repair shop isn't the best. You can't blame her for not wanting to be around that. It's understandable."

I scoffed, dismissing her attempt.

"Good riddance. You can marry whoever you want."

Heath didn't know it, but even without the supposed financial backing from the Grants, the Harrises would still be fine. I had lied about the company's financial troubles to get my father to give Heath a chance to show his worth. Whether the Grants pulled out or stepped in to help was irrelevant to us.

As for the wedding Heath kept talking about delaying, it had been called off ages ago. I would not marry him.

The Harris family was planning a wedding—my wedding—but not with Heath.

"Julia, I'll be waiting for you to come back and beg me."

I turned on my heel and walked out, though Winona seemed like she wanted to say something more. However, Heath dragged her into his lap before she could speak.

Naomi followed me out, intent on making sure I got home safely. Before we parted, I handed her the custom-made invitation I had prepared earlier that afternoon.

"I didn't have a chance to give this to you inside, with all the noise. Consider this an official invitation for you to be my maid of honor next month."

Naomi took the invitation with a resigned look, barely holding back her eye roll. "You've got to be kidding. What's so great about Heath? Look at him. And you're still thinking about marrying him?"

She opened the invitation and immediately stopped talking when she saw the names printed on the card.

Bride: Julia Harris

Groom: Flynn Turner

Her mouth hung open in shock, widening like she was trying to swallow a whole egg.

"Flynn Turner? The Turners, who are in politics? Not Heath?"

I nodded, unable to suppress a bitter laugh.

"Seven years spent chasing a dream... I've woken up. When there's no more love, it's all about a business arrangement. The Turners are a better fit than the Grants. Besides, Flynn and I grew up in the same neighborhood, climbing trees together. Our families know each other well. Honestly, he's a far better match than Heath ever was."