Julia found herself gravitating towards Lucy and Billy, sensing that their loneliness mirrored her own. However, as each day passed, the town’s hostility became an increasingly heavy burden. The more hostility she encountered, the more time she began to spend with Lucy and Billy. Their mutual sorrow and isolation started to forge a powerful bond between them. Despite the town’s contempt, Julia found comfort in this newfound connection. It served as a salve for her wounded spirit, making the mansion feel less like a gilded cage and more like a home.
One morning, just four days after the wedding, Julia woke up to a complete shock. An anonymous letter had arrived, accusing her of greed and deceit. The allegations were harsh, directly attacking her character and implying malicious intentions. Words like “gold-digger”, “deceiver”, and “in it for the money” echoed in her mind.