Julian's Stand in Wife

That was the freedom Betty had been looking forward to for a long time. It was time she had to herself to let her hair down.

Julian didn’t want to interrupt her.

Julian left her door and turned to walk back to the master bedroom he shared with Diana. He lifted his hand, and knocked on the door.

Diana heard the knocks, but didn’t stand up. “What do you want?”

She sounded sullen and clearly upset, which frustrated Julian.

“Diana…” he coaxed in a low voice. “Open the door for me, come on.”

Everyone in this house was ignoring him, and it was souring his mood.

He had seen that Diana was clearly in a bad mood, but because he wanted to see Nina off first, he didn’t rush to talk to Diana about it.

“Nina has something she wants me to convey to you.”

Nina…

Diana thought again about her best friend, who said such hurtful words not long ago. She suppressed the pain overflowing from her heart, and said, “There’s nothing to be said. I want to be alone.”

exactly happened between you and Nina?” Julian leaned against the door, trying to talk to

“Nothing much.”

say unpleasant stuff about

had said something unpleasant about Nina. She actually called her a third wheel, and insisted

very well

easy to give up on someone you

that Nina would heed her advice. That was easier

Jim’s side

Jim to talk things through with the Jennings. However, there was no news from him, even after

thought about it, and finally

a month

never initiated

course, that was true of Jim,

Jim wouldn’t answer her call. Much to her surprise, he did—very swiftly, too. His voice was warm

nodded. “Professor

only when she needed help. Suddenly,

and concern, he asked, “Ms. Winnington, have

good. Thank you for your concern, Professor Hughes. The babies and I are fine. The check-ups