Read Finding Julian for Free Online Page A

didn’t make a sound.
    “Hello? Mom? Are you still there?” I
confirmed.
    “Ye-yes,” she stuttered, sounding
awestruck.
    “What should I do?” I asked. I had a
migraine coming on from deliberating so much on my own.
    “What do you think?” she screeched. “Put
the house on the market and collect the money once it’s sold.”
    My eyes widened. I hadn’t thought of
doing that . This house, this land , had been in the family for
generations. There was no way I could simply sell it. I didn’t have the heart.
    “Mom, I can’t do that.”
    “Well, why not?” She sounded appalled.
    “Because…” I hesitated. “It was his
father’s. It’s Aunt Bev’s home, and Mackenzie’s,” I sighed, not sure where that
came from. “As much as she hates me,” I added, “I can’t sell her home.”
      
Mom released a sarcastic laugh. It surprised me. “Julian, listen to me, do you
think that brat would do the same thing if she was in your shoes? Of course she
wouldn’t. I can only imagine how much she and that conniving mother of hers are
both boiling over with anger right now.”
    I thought back to their reaction,
hearing the outcome of the will. “Yeah, they’re pretty mad at me right now. But
still, it seems so selfish to sell it and not consider their feelings.”
    “Oh, my sweet girl, always thinking
about others,” she whispered. “Jules, save yourself the trouble and get rid of
it. Just come home. This is where you belong.”
    I sat at the edge of the bed,
considering her words as I stared out the sliding glass doors at the darkening
sky and the bright silver moon starting to rise. The sound of the roaring ocean
below relaxed me.
    There was a strange feeling in the pit
of my stomach, telling me I should at least understand my father’s objectives
before going back to New York. It had to be more than trying to get along with
my half-sister or even learning about his company. There had to be more to it
than that.
    Getting to my feet, I said, “I’ll take care
of it, Mom. Don’t worry, okay? I’ll call you later.”
    Mom gasped. “What? Does this mean you’re
not coming home?”
    Was that what I was considering?
    Tugging on the laced hem of my dress, I
breathed out my reply, “I’ll let you know when I’m coming.”
    I hung up before she could press me
further about coming home.
    After all, it was my decision. My
father had placed it all on me . Still, I needed to know why. The only
one with answers was Aunt Bev.
    Remembering the journal I saw her with
on the beach that had my father’s name on it, I walked out the room in search
of Aunt Bev. I remembered her reaction, how she seemed very secretive, closing
the journal the moment I approached. She must have known his intentions, but
for how long?
    Getting to the end of the passage, I
walked in on an intense conversation between Seven and his father in the living
room. Mr. Monroe shot me a nasty look as his eyes caught mine. My existence
seemed to bother him. He didn’t even know me.
    “You should come home now,” Mr. Monroe
said, glancing back at Seven. “I’m sure she won’t let you stay here, now
that she has complete control over this place.”
    “That’s not true,” I blurted out,
stepping closer to them. “Seven can stay here for as long as he wants. I’m in
no position of putting him out. You heard what my father wrote in his will.”
    Mr. Monroe glared at me. He clenched his
fist and tightened his jaw. “A bastard child, not even my sister’s daughter…”
he shook his head.
    My fingers balled into fists. I wanted
to punch him for saying that. “You—”
    “Dad, stop,” Seven jumped in before I
could finish. It wasn’t going to be sweet. So I was glad he’d stood up to his
father on my behalf.
    “Defend her all you want, son. But this girl,” he pointed at me. “I can see right through her. She’s just like that
slut mother of hers. She’s only here for the money.”
    I couldn’t let that remark slide. I
marched