Billionaire Flawed 1(218)

Andrew's father hand given his son three months to leave the house. Oscar and Andrew weren't speaking. Not even Jacqueline's best effort could convince them to sit around the table and talk. I've had enough of him and his philandering, Oscar had bellowed when she'd approached the subject. Andrew had explained to her that he would never speak to his father again. In the end, Jacqueline had given up and decided to keep out of it.

Five weeks had gone past since Andrew had received his notice to leave, and he was frantically trying to find a place for his family to live. It wasn't easy, nowhere was as child-friendly as the Lodge. Additionally, Andrew was going to be poorer. Mrs. Patterson had cried when Andrew told her that he would have to let her go.

On the third of May, Julia got up and went to teach the children as usual. She was teaching John the names of farm animals when the sight of a sheep made her feel quite ill. She gasped for air and turned the page, but a pig made her feel no better. She ran to the lavatory and emptied the contents of her stomach. This happened every day for a week before Mrs. Patterson noticed.

You're pregnant, she said. Have you missed a period? Julia nodded and the expression on Mrs. Patterson's face said it all. Julia was beside herself. She hadn't given any thought to becoming pregnant when she'd slept with Andrew. Not for a single second had she stopped to think of the consequences, but now she was fully aware.

In the evening, Julia lay on her bed and thought about her situation. She scolded herself for having been so lethargic since her parents died. Now she was going to be a mother. She had to change her attitude and accept some responsibility for her actions. What would Andrew say? What would he do? Probably send her away with some money, she thought. But she didn't want to go away from him. He was a lovely man, and she loved him, despite his flaws. She promised herself she would fight for him, make him see her for what she was, a confident young woman with his best interests at heart.

That evening Andrew asked her to have dinner with him alone. It was the perfect opportunity to tell him, but she didn't. She would wait.

Have you found anywhere to live yet? she asked him.

Surprised that she'd started the conversation, he thought for a moment. No I haven't, but I'm working on it.

And what do the children think about having to move?

They are upset, of course.

Yes they are. Each of them has told me that they are upset. They love this place. Why don't you apologize to your father? Smooth things over with him.

She'd never spoken to him like this. Not once had she even asked him a question, let alone made a suggestion. It's too late for that.

But it's so silly.

When he looked at her, there was a maturity about her that he hadn't noticed before. Something was different about her. She was beautiful but in this mood she was unbelievably attractive. I agree. It is silly. I should be able to have who I want to stay, and when I want.

Andrew, you may think it rude of me to comment, but according to some of the people around you, you are lost.

Lost, lost where?

Between finding a replacement for Georgina and bedding any woman who is willing. Her heart was beating faster, but now she was going to give her opinion, come what may. It's not good for the children, your father is right. You woke me up the other evening. That awful woman was screaming so loudly. She glanced at him to make sure he wasn't boiling with anger. Then you were outside in the very early morning arguing with her. Really, Andrew, you are lost. One thing I want to say before you have your turn, though, I think your father is being mean, sending you away from here. He seems to have little understanding of how you feel and of what it's doing to the children.

Andrew didn't say anything; he was impressed that she'd spoken to him in this way. Just what he needed. His thoughts turned to Georgina and how she would have spoken to him if she'd been in Julia's place. In just the same way, he concluded.





Rose Patterson lived in a small house three doors down from her mother. It wasn't a long walk from the Lodge, and Julia had found the way easily. She'd told Mrs. Patterson that she'd met her daughter and that she would like to visit her. Mrs. Patterson had explained how to get there, and Julia had paid careful attention.

And? Mrs. Patterson had said before Julia left on her walk.

And what, Mrs. Patterson?

Have you told him yet?

No, but I will very soon.

Rose's house was small and looked as if it had been wedged between two large houses as an afterthought. It had a thatched roof and smoke rising gently from the chimney. Julia knocked and waited.

Rose, sorry to bother you. Do you remember me, we met on a walk the other day?

Ah, yes, Roses' eyes lit up. I do. Come in please.

Inside it was cluttered buy clean. There were only two rooms downstairs. The kitchen was straight ahead and the sitting room off to the right.