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Chapter Ninety-Nine–Making the Effort
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2023-09-10 23:12:20Related chapters
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred–A Little Good News and a New Bone to Pick
“Good morning, Stephen. To what do I owe this early morning call?” Julie’s day would go downhill if her morning routine ended up interrupted. In the last month, it’d changed so much with Michael’s interest in her changing as it had. He’d returned to work again in his office, so she finally had time for herself. It evoked a blend of positive and negative emotions. She still struggled to get her writing ready for Mike, her editor, to work his magic with it. The idea of what she would do with her novel once Mike completed it caused her to wrestle internally. Michael may assume her publisher would retract their decision, but she’d heard nothing after the meeting and the few words online. “Julie, I know you, and I wanted to check in with you. Please inform me if you need anything or have any good news to share.” “I’ll survive if that’s what you mean, Stephen.” “How is that husband of yours?” “He’s fine, as far as
Last Updated : 2023-09-11The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-One—Visiting Aria
“Leon, you came.” Aria didn’t sound like herself. Or she didn’t sound like the woman Leon associated with that name. Her demeanour had changed completely. She now appeared calm and relaxed. It’s a side of her he had never seen. Before, she’d been full of life, flying from one interest to the next as she tried to satisfy a desperate need for something she didn’t understand or could name. She’d push herself and others all the way until everything and everyone collapsed under the strain. Removing one small, unnecessary pill from her life made a remarkable difference that he could only marvel at. He’d wished he’d seen this earlier. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I come? I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.” Aria appeared speechless. He couldn’t believe it. She believed he’d dumped her here and walked away. “I don’t know what I expected, really. But thank you.” Leon knew he’d need to adapt too a lot. Not only was she calm and relaxed, but she thanked him. For what
Last Updated : 2023-09-12The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Two—Surprise Evening at the Country Club
“Are you ready, Julie?” An hour ago, Michael returned home from work. He occupied himself in the condo until dinner. Julie found he’d changed his habits in yet another way. Tonight, he’d called her and left a message telling her to wear her green evening dress and be ready to go out this evening. They’d received an invitation to a party hosted by one of Michael’s friends at the country club. Julie couldn’t decide whether to call Michael and cancel their plans. She was uncertain about what to expect after her recent visit to the country club. “Michael, I’m ready, but I’m not sure this is a clever idea. They don’t like me there. You know that. I’ll just embarrass both of us.” Michael looked at her. “Julie, we must be there tonight, together. I know you hate surprises. But this is one, and you’ll have to accept it at face value.” She knew she’d have to suck it up and do this. She could see Michael wouldn’t budge. “Fine, then
Last Updated : 2023-09-14The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Three — Julie Stands On Her Own
“I’m sorry I’ve written four full-length novels and am writing a fifth right now. So please tell me the title of which novel you’re speaking of, and specifically which character do you believe is you?” Julie knew this would happen, eventually. Someone would express how unhappy they were with the belief Julie wrote a character about them, and it would shine a light on their behaviour. “You won’t deny writing about us?” Valorie’s disbelief positively dripped from her words. Julie couldn’t believe they expected her to fall for something so stupid. She mentioned it to Aria, and possibly mentioned it to Lizzi, but it was a casual remark if she did. Julie couldn’t recall mentioning it to Valorie, but it didn’t matter. Instead, Julie turned Valorie’s words back on her with her own pointed message. “I think my writing reflects more on your guilty conscience and my ability to write relatable characters; don’t you think? So, will you admit you’re embarrassed that it mig
Last Updated : 2023-09-15The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Four–Aria Sees and Grows
Aria felt different. No, everything felt different for and to her. Nothing felt the same to her anymore. People were different, colours were different, even food and drink tasted different. Despite the doctors’ and nurses’ attempts, she couldn’t grasp the reason or method behind it. Even Leon seemed changed. He’d always been overbearing, but now she could see it wasn’t him being mean and selfish. Leon tried to push her to see things she refused to. That’s what this place taught her. Her home life growing up wasn’t normal, and now she felt used by everyone involved in this. In therapy, she realized how people manipulated her and why. She’d never understood the reason behind it, nor did she believe these people were manipulating her. Even her father and mother, teachers, nannies, and everyone had ulterior motives. Her mother used her to extort money from her father to keep her a dirty little secret. Aria stopped being Senat
Last Updated : 2023-09-16The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Five—Seeing The House
The next evening, Michael took Julie to see the new house. It wasn’t far from where the condo they lived in was. As they entered a gated community, she felt like they were stepping into a different world. Julie saw other residents. Living in this place would feel odd, because guards secured the community’s gates, while only residents used the roads and walkways. “What’s the matter, Julie?” “I feel like we’re in a fishbowl. Everyone here will know us and what we’re doing. They’ll judge us.” “I’m sure they’ll be too busy worrying about how everyone is judging them, too.” Michael said. “That does not define this community. Here we can relax and know that our family will be safe. The area boasts excellent schools, three well-maintained parks, its own access to the local mall, and a private gym only for residents.” “It sounds so isolating.” “I thought you preferred to avoid socializing?” “How can I collaborate wit
Last Updated : 2023-09-18The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Six–Plans and Declarations
When Julie finally saw the entire house from top to bottom, she was slowly coming to realize that there’d be several things she’d have to get used to. Lots of space and experiencing how rich Michael truly was. He didn’t think anything about walking the property to go to work. He added to the members of their staff as if it were nothing. Meanwhile, Julie was still worried she’d spent too much on an iced latte. But she knew this would take time to make the space her own, and the community concerned her too. What if it was the country club all over again? For that matter, what did they know about boats or sailing? Did Michael know anything about barbecuing? Or having kids, for that matter. It sounded like it would be a lot of work. “Michael, how am I supposed to write in one building and look after these children you want in another? There’s a pool in between. That scares me. What if one of them falls in when I’m distracted by writing? “First, look at t
Last Updated : 2023-09-19The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Seven–Asking for Advice
Julie didn’t know how to respond to Michael’s words, but that didn’t stop her from questioning everything she wanted to say. She wanted her dreams she’d lived with and later forced to push aside. Julie knew that her feelings and dreams made little sense to anyone but her. Julie found many of her hopes and dreams based in her past traumas, and she’d have to grow past them. To her, nothing made sense these days, because she used her past to translate the present. Only that didn’t work anymore, Michael changed it all. She’d learned she could live her life questioning everything and doing nothing. Or just go with whatever happened and live with whatever unfolded. She could plan everything to the tiniest detail, but the plan could fall apart before she even started. People weren’t truthful, and she hated that. Ultimately, she had to continue, regardless of their presence. Julie pondered the extent of Michael’s temptation. She wanted to believe he wanted this. Julie
Last Updated : 2023-09-20
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The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Six–Epilogue Two: How I Met Your Mother (Five Years Later)
Julie removed her earbuds as she sat at her desk. She’d just listened to the ready-to-print version of her fifteenth novel. It was survivable, at least. She felt Stephen and her publisher would love it. She could hear everyone out at the pool having fun. Michael entertained the early bird parents and kids as they slowly arrived for Johnathan’s birthday pool party. Their children’s parties seemed to be an event where people wanted invitations and their presence recognized by their peers. Julie couldn’t believe the changes that had happened over the last few years. Johnathan’s birth shone in her brain as the mark when Julie knew Michael was hers. He’d not settled, but he’d found a different direction for his life that made him happier. Michael had help from the parents, nannies, and several staff members minding the chaos of children everywhere. They’d long ago child proofed the house, and currently Michael hid his genuine prized items in a series of locked rooms away from t
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Five–Epilogue One: Aria: A New Life
Aria’s honeymoon was so much more than she had expected, and she used her social media accounts to poke the bear that was her father. She posted teasing photos of the place where she got married. Sold a few of her wedding photos to a couple of magazines with an interview hinting at why her father really wasn’t at her wedding and how disappointed she was at his betrayal of family ties. At the end of the interview, Aria made it good and clear that she’d broken off all ties with her father and she wasn’t interested in ever reconciling at any time in the future. He and his staff burned those bridges. As she went around Europe and saw the unique way of life there, some of it initially felt confusing and complicated. But she investigated other differences in how they treated people. It was something she’d not given much thought about until her life spiralled out of control and she finally understood why she was the way she’d become. It wasn’t pretty, and she had the photos and v
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Four–Julie Gives Birth (Six-Months Later)
“Edward has everything in the car, Julie. We’re ready to head for the hospital. Now, you’re sure you’re okay with going through with a c-section? I mean, if you change your mind, you can still back out.” Michael could see how large Julie grew and wondered how his son hadn’t torn his way out. Michael worried Julie could no longer stand and walk safely. Life kept changing and he couldn’t believe he’d once thought this part of his life could go on without him. Over the last eight and a half months, he’d learned so much about a woman’s body he had to wonder if they were the same species. Women were so complicated, and Julie had some unique complications. A common comorbidity Julie had called EDS would complicate even the epidural she would need. Her joints had more range, and it caused her shoulders, back, and hips to be uneven. It could complicate administering the epidural. If she couldn’t get it, then she’d have to give birth naturally without it. This terrified Julie, alon
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Three–Aria Gets Married
“I’m glad you’re doing this, Julie. Honestly, I don’t know what her father is thinking. But if he thinks she could embarrass him normally, to not come to his daughter’s wedding. Campaigning or not, he’s going to look bad. He recognized her as his daughter when it was convenient for him. Now he pulls this because it’s not convenient. His poll numbers will go down and he’ll lose the public confidence. If it gets out and it will that we showed up after that entire mess that started all of this. He’s sunk.” “You don’t think this is a mistake? She will not pull something fast. Like become caught in someone else’s bed?” “Julie, Aria’s been through a lot in the last six months. Leon didn’t just send her to rehab to just get off the medication. He sent her to a location that deals with complex abuse cases. She doesn’t realize it, but they did. He had to wait for over two years to get her a place there. It’s why I took her in like I did. I admit there were other stupid
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Two–Julie and Michael Arrive
The small plane landed at the secluded island airport, and Julie sighed in relief. There was something about travelling she disliked. To come all this way for a wedding for someone she didn’t like seemed crazy. But Leon was Michael’s best friend and Julie would muddle through it for five days there. What she still couldn’t get over was Aria’s request to come and bury the hatchet somewhere other than Julie’s back. She’d apologized. The hadron collider must have tested something again, and the world altered in reaction to the outcome of that test. That’s how Julie thought of why things changed in ways she didn’t see coming. Not that she believed the conspiracies; it was just a humorous way to look at her problem because Julie didn’t believe she’d ever find out the true reason these things changed. But jumping off into another timeline felt as sane as any other reason, and perhaps sometimes more logical. They stepped off the plane with the other guests, and a protracted line
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-One-Julie Meets Michael’s Father
Michael had said that he didn’t want to celebrate something that didn’t change. He didn’t want to admit he’d changed, and that changed their relationship. His explanation for this was he’d not been aware that he could be any other way until he’d seen how she lived in perpetual difference. Her effort to give him an easier existence while ignoring her own struggles had him questioning and rejecting much of his father’s teachings. It’d crossed over into his work life to and several people mentioned it over the months. So much so it became part of the water cooler gossip. Julie only found out about this after they’d gone back to the gym, and she heard the gossip at the juice bar. Michael hadn’t gone with her today as he now often did. Julie still struggled to become used to his constant presence around her. But she knew why this time around she struggled with it. Julie had to fight putting up a mask for the world and in that moment with Michael at the gym, she couldn’t figure
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Thirty–Aria Learns More About Who Leon Is
Christiana brought Aria upstairs, showed her the room, and helped her to unpack her things. Aria had to wait an hour before Leon came upstairs to her. But once Christiana ended with that, she gave Aria an odd warning before she left Aria to her own devices. “My dear, you’re not as sweet as you pretend to be, but that’s not a mark against you with me. The problem you will have been with the men of this family. They run this family with an iron fist, and we are not part of the conversation or the family business. So, if you think you will control anything or anyone within this family, then you’ll be walking a thin line between surviving or disappearing within an unfortunate accident. Please be careful what you say and do. This is something we say to all women who enter this family. Think carefully and long. If you stay, learn to keep your head down and your mouth shut. You can do and say anything outside of the family but don’t allow the bad to reflect on the family.”
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Nine - The Birthing Plan
“Julie love, you fell asleep. We’re here now. Let’s go in for our appointment.” Julie woke up to Michael’s voice. During their trip to her doctor’s appointment, she’d fallen asleep. Today she would talk to the doctor about her pregnancy and what to expect, including her birthing plan. Something she’d been avoiding because it absolutely terrified her. With pain, she had an odd relationship with it. There was no normal response to it for her. It either didn’t register or she was in a world of hurt that no one understood. Medications didn’t seem to work correctly either when dealing with pain. She’d believed that she was imagining this issue for most of her life, but Julie learned not too long ago that wasn’t the case. Her body resisted many pain medications, and she did in fact register pain differently to other people. “Great, let’s get this over with because there’re things I need to get done today.” She’d been grumpy for most of the day. Between
The Billionaire's Alternate Plan Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Eight–Decision Day
Julie sat there in the conference room with her lawyer. They’d been hashing out exactly how things would go from here on out. Michael had given her a file of documents which gave her terms he was willing to work with and he’d changed all the wording. Her lawyer had to review it all over the last few days and he had admitted to Julie that the generosity in the new offer was off the charts compared to the first time they sat down to get through this. But to stay was more beneficial for both parties. However, he warned her not to do anything if it wasn’t in her heart, or best for her safety. She should do what she believed was best for her and her child. “I will, I promise you that. But I will have to say that things have changed greatly in the last six months. I’m still unsure what changed things. If it was a single event or multiple events, but he’s not the same man. No, before you say it’s temporary, understand he’s happier now with the changes he’s made. It’s
