Refusing To Divorce (Julia and Harry)
Refusing 56

apter 56

Holding the stuff Lucia gave her, Julia went back home with a heavy heart, debating whether or not to tell Harry. But if she did, she worried he might think she was the one plotting behind his back, deliberately trying to frame Arya. Given Arya's usual fragile appearance in front of Harry, he'd never believe Arya could be so cunning.

After much thought, Julia decided to wait for a better opportunity to tell Harry, believing he would eventually replace out who was stirring things up and exposing his and Arya's relationship.

Knowing too many secrets sometimes might not be all that great. Julia felt quite down and decided to call up Valerie for some drinking to case her mood that evening.

"I know a bar with a great vibe. Let's meet there. I'll text you the address in a bit. Just need to change my clothes and I'll head out," Valerie said.

Julia drove to the spot Valerie texted her and found a chicly decorated bar.

This bar was quieter than the flashy bars, and Julia spotted Valerie seated by a window as soon as she walked in. She loosened her scarf and grabbed a glass of water to drink.

Valerie, staring out the window and lost in thought, perked up when she saw Julia. "You got here faster than I thought," she said. "I wasn't sure what to get, so I ordered some random things. Need a look at the menu?"

"No need. Any drink will do." Julia put down her glass. The view from Valerie's chosen spot was great. However, she wasn't really in the mood to enjoy the scenery.

"Why the sudden drink invite? Are you feeling down? Harry's not home with you?" Valerie noticed Julia down her drink in one gulp and quickly intervened, "Is the thing with Harry and Arya true?"

"Yes." Julia hesitated before locking eyes with Valerie, her brows furrowed. "Valerie, from an outsider's perspective, who do you think would leak Harry and Arya's affair?"

"You want me to analyze it?" Valerie tilted her head, pondering for a few seconds. "From a woman's perspective, either you or Arya could benefit. The leak serves both of you."

"How so?" Julia asked.

"If Arya leaked it herself, she's probably looking to use public opinion to ruin your relationship with Harry, aiming for a divorce so she can be with Harry. But doing that would tarnish her reputation," Valerie explained.

Before Valerie could continue, Julia chimed in, "If I were behind the leak, then Arya would be the other woman and be criticized. So, from that angle, it advantages me more."

"Pretty much. Given not many know about Harry and Arya, it'd be easy to figure out who did it." Valerie munched on some fruit, then suddenly asked, "Does Harry suspect you?" Julia shook her head. There had been no contact with Harry since he left that morning. Naturally, he must be with Arya, and Julia didn't expect Harry to come looking for her. "So, why suddenly dive into analyzing these things?" Valerie inquired.

Thinking about the document Lucia had shown her, Julia hesitated for a moment before asking, "What if I told you Arya was behind this whole thing? Would you believe me?"

"Of course I'd believe you. I barely know Arya anyway. Plus, I don't like her. She looks all sweet and frail on the outside, but inside, she's got the meanest heart, full of nothing but schemes," Valerie said fiercely. "And I hate homewreckers. Arya knew Harry was married and Julia just smiled. Valerie leaned in, scanning around before whispering, "So, did Arya really leak this herself? Does she want everyone to thin did it? Trying to set you up?"

"I can't be sure yet," Julia said with a cold laugh. If that was the case, she wouldn't just sit back and take it.

"Well, let's drop this upsetting topic for tonight, okay? If Arya dares to frame you, I'll be the first to speak up for you," Valerie said. "Julia, I'm always on your side."

A genuine smile bloomed on Julia's face, the first since the scandal with Harry and Arya broke, especially after learning the truth.

"Julia, let's go somewhere else. I know a great place; I'll take you there," Valerie said as she got up to pay the bill, and Julia followed her out.

Both having had a drink, they stood at the door about to hail a cab. Suddenly, Julia saw a very familiar figure nearby. She paused a few seconds and quickly dashed toward that direction.

D

6:08 PM MM

Chapter 56

Confused, Valerie hurried after Julia, shouting her name. Julia ran fast, and Valerie barely caught up with her.

Out of breath, Valerie leaned against a nearby tree, Noticing Julia arguing with a shabbily dressed man, she rushed over to help.

"It's you! I've finally found you!" Julia seized him and flipped the greasy hair from his forehead to see the face that had haunted her dreams, and she gritted her teeth in anger.

"It's you!" The man also recognized Julia. He shivered in fear and struggled violently to break free, but Julia firmly gripped him.

"Valerie, help me hold him!" Julia commanded.

Despite the man's foul smell, Valerie stepped up and grabbed his hair, and he groaned in pain.

Together, they dragged the man into a nearby alley.

It was quiet there, the lighting dim. Next to a garbage disposal area; the air was filled with a foul smell, not too different from the smell coming off the man.

Julia picked up a stick from the ground and cornered the man against the wall, demanding coldly, "Remember who I am?"

With his hand broken and his right leg injured, the man trembled in the corner, looking fearfully at Julia. "Someone did tell me to do that. If I knew you were Harry's wife, I wouldn't have dared touch you."

"Someone told you to?" Julia had just intended to teach this man a lesson for having bullied her, but she didn't expect to hear something like this. She squatted down, pressing the stick between the man's legs. "Who instructed you?"

"A woman. I didn't see her face clearly that night in the bar, but she was beautiful. She said you were just a bar girl, so I..." the man explained.

'A beautiful woman? Seems there are some things Harry hasn't told me,' Julia thought. If she remembered correctly, Harry said he'd handle the matter, and later when she asked, he just said it was all taken care of and that this man wouldn't appear before her again.