Chapter 013
“You barely got a wink of sleep last night. I finished all the transactions so You
“It’s dawn, Greta,” I informed her, sipping my coffee.
“You are so shameless, sipping coffee like you own the place?”
need to rest.”
+25 BONUS.
worked on
Both of us turned to see Lovie standing at the door. The entire room was littered with fabrics and some dresses Iv
“Greta, fold the dresses into a box,” I said, “Lovie, I am not in the mood-”
“I won’t let you do it.” I froze at her words, my chest tightening. “I won’t let you take Atlas like you took Dad from me.”
How could she bring that up now?
- n. My heart skipped a bit as the past flashed before my eyes.
I turned to leave but she caught my arm. My
After so many years, Lovie was blaming me for Papa’s death. She knew how his death broke me. I blamed myself for years, no therapy was able undo what that night did.
I knew she could stoop low, but this? This was disgusting
Tve already
made my
first move.” She continued. ‘Before today ends, you will be shattered.”
“Stop this, just stop, Lovie. Aren’t you sick of playing these games?”
“You have no idea what’s coming Julia but spat, ignoring my words.
can assure you, being the Silver designer will be the least of your concerns.” She
My lists tightened at my sides. “Do whatever you want. You are not the only one who lost. He was my father too-
“No, he wasn’t! You were freaking adopted! You were the jinx he died saving. You wanted to drive that darned car! You killed him. I hate you, Julia, and I will make sure you are never happy!”
I stumbled, losing balance as she brushed past me, stopping a few feet from me.
“The challenge is a few hours. If you have any decency, stop being selfish. Refute all your claims and maybe, I’ll rethink my
decision”
I scoffed. Selfish? I am not giving you my life’s work.”
No. I wasn’t selfish. I spent the past twenty years repaying the Knight family. I shared everything with Lovie. I stayed in the shadows for all my life so she could be happy. In this new life, I couldn’t
I removed her hand from my wrist and started walking away.
“If you want, we could go back in, you have to rest, Julia,” Greta said, following me.
“No,” I shook my head at Greta. “I have a challenge to attend. I made a promise and I never go back on my word. I am done being trapped in my past.”
Greta stepped in front of me and smiled. “Good I’ll call the cab-”
“Cab? I raised an eyebrow. “Grets there are multiple cars in this estate and before you panic,” I pulled out a key. Tll drive.”
The drive to the Challenge Hall took less than an hour. My hands were numb from working. We barely had enough time to get materials delivered and start designing. Greta loaded the dresses into the car and I could not wait to showcase them at the
Hall
I pulled up in front of the building and we walked inside, stealing everyone’s attention. Atlas froze as he saw me.
“You came,” Atlas scoffed.
Something was wrong.
I couldn’t place my fingers on it. Whether it was the way he looked at me, how his knuckles turned white or the breaths escaping his lips.
Atlas looked livid and for some reason, it was directed at me. How could he flip switches whenever he wished?
One moment he was all cherry and now, this?
I made a promise, remember? You also made a promise to me and I’ll do anything to get what I want.”
Atlas clasped his hands and glanced behind me before grinning. “You have no limits, do you? You’ll do anything to get what you want. Well, I have also made arrangements to get what I want”
Our eyes locked and for a moment it seemed like we weren’t talking about dresses. Atlas stepped forward, the sparkle in his eyes gone, replaced with a hollow shell. I always get what I want. The dresses are here.”
My gaze shifted to several collections from other companies which had already been exhibited. A designer red dress caught my attention as Atlas brought in his box of
Wait.
Isn’t that my box of dresses?
“What is the meaning of this?” I spat, stopping the handymen who were carrying it in
The hall unraveled into pin–drop silence and everyone turned to look at us.
“Those are my dresses.” I continued, glaring daggers into his skin. “I designed them
that too, last night!”
“No, Julia.” Atlas straightened up as my stomach twisted into knots. Those dresses have been at the company for months. Besides, how can anyone make fifteen dresses in one night?” He sneered
My blood boiled but all the pieces slowly fell into place as I struggled to breathe. Atlas fooled–used me to create fifteen pieces for the exhibit.
I was manipulated!
I marched outside, seeing a pool with the rest of the guests relaxing and other companies showcasing their beach wear and
dresses.
My heart twisted in my chest at the betrayal, I thought I was playing him but he- Atlas was using me. Why did it hurt so- much and why didn’t I see through it?
“You lost, Julia.” I turned to see Lovie walking toward me, tears blinding my vision. “You lost before you even left the house. I warned you. I told you that I had done something so big, nothing could fix it.”
She leaned to whisper. “This is just the beginning.”
A sob bubbled in my throat. I felt like a fool. Like an idiot because I was falling again – I thought there was something, maybe some hope left. I thought if I dug deep enough, I would find the Atlas I loved
But, Atlas was using me. Had he ever not used me? Was everything a game? A ploy? Was it just this annual challenge or had be been doing this all along?
“What did you do?” I asked and she smiled.
“What needed to be done. I mean, what man follows his brother’s murder like a puppy? You killed my father, his brother and I couldn’t sit back and watch you kill him too- ah” Lovie shrieked as my palm collided with her cheek.
Her nose flared and a shriek escaped my lips as she pushed me into the pool. I pulled her along and gasped, struggling to swim. I flailed my hands as Lovie cried. Atlas raced out and I watched him jump into the fool and pull her out….
While I drowned
Lovic could swim. I couldn’t.
A sob finally escaped my lips. “Atlas!” I cried, struggling to keep my head afloat. “Atlas, please help
He stepped forward as I tried to pull myself out of the pool, gripping the silver stand. I sighed in relief as he approached me He was finally going to help me.
But I watched, frozen as Atlas grabbed my hand and removed it from the stand, pushing me in
My heart broke into a million pieces as he let me go let me fall – let me die all over again. Even in this life?
