Chapter 014
My chest burned and my fists tightened, fingers digging
laging into my
skin. I was dying. Once again, I was dying
Once again, I was about to lose everything at the hands of the same man I had always fought for
Was this what unrequited love felt like? To give and give until there was nothing left but one’s life and even that was useless?
The dagger Atlas Volkan lodged in my chest deepened and my body sank deeper. I shut my eyes, accepting my fate. This was
I failed. I lost everything and now-
I heard it before I saw it.
A splash, strong arms wrapping around me, air filling my lungs as I gasped.
“You? How dare you?!”
As my vision focused, I realized the voice was yelling at the person who saved me. Their grip on me tightened.
I knew
w you were heartless, Volkan. But this? You are crossing your limit.”
“Don’t you dare try to teach me how to treat my wife? Get away from her!”
I glanced up, watching as Atlas approached with an icy glare, the man holding me didn’t stiffen- not even an inch.
The scent of his cologne wrapped around me like a warm embrace, clearing the fog in my head. For a moment, he ignored. Atlas and turned to me,
“Are you okay? Can you breathe?” Our eyes locked and I found pretty green orbs staring back at me, soft as the forest, but cold enough as dew on leaves.
I forced a smile. “You saved me-”
“Get away!”
My eyes widened as Atlas pulled him up and a gasp escaped my lips as the man responded with his fist. Atlas staggered, breathing heavily before he lunged at him.
I forced myself up and stepped between them. “Enough! Have you gone mad?” I seethed, glaring daggers into Atlas‘ skin. The man’s response was to grab my arm, eyeing me down. My heart refused to ache. Twice. I trusted this man twice and he? He made a mockery of my love and dedication.
Life gave me a second chance and I gave it to him. But Atlas Volkan left me to drown. Hardening my heart reached for his arm and removed it from mine.
Atlas raised an eyebrow. “What? Weren’t you just begging for my help? Or were you waiting for someone else?”
The other man scoffed behind me.
“Oh my! Atlas Volkan and Arden Black are fighting over her! This is serious!”
“The two biggest rivals in Miami are at loggerheads for a woman! Now, it’s not only business”
Security Atlas boomed. “Throw him out!”
my voice.
Soon enough, several guards arrived and as they approached the man, whom I assumed was Damien, I found my
“Stop”
Atlas furrowed his eyebrows and our
eyes
met “Excuse me?”
“You’ll have to pardon me, Atlas,” I said, stepping forward as tears stung my eyes. This was it. “But you cannot throw my
1/3
+25 BONUS
better half out and expect me to stay.” I grabbed Damien’s hand, my heart racing in my chest
This could go wrong. This could go very wrong, but
“Be clear,” Atlas growled and I smiled
“My fiancé cannot leave without me. Right, Damien?”
The man’s green eyes met mine and my hands shook around his. If he died this, I would become a mockery. The chances of him agreeing were negative but still, could he-
“Of course, my love.” My breath hitched as his grip on me tightened. “We are two peas in a pud after-”
“Enough of this nonsense “Atlas separated us, stepping in between. “She is my wife. How dare you even think about her?”
“A wife you left to die? I am dead to you, Atlas. The only man I love is Damien.” I leaned against Damien, watching as Atlas”
chest rose and fell
“What? Do you think I am head over heels for you? I have and will always cherish Lovie.” he promised and searched the crowd, finally remembering his first love.
My sister stepped forward, her smile brighter than the diamond bangles adorning her wrist. She carefully pressed a kiss to Atlas‘ cheek and leaned against him but Allas Volkan’s eyes remained on me.
“I know the truth, Julia I know how you provoked my brother to take his life. Lovie told me everything yesterday. I saw the letters you wrote to him and all the lies you told I will make you pay for it. I promise you.”
He spoke in one breath and everything clicked. That was Lovie’s plan, to dig up the past with fabricated evidence and as always, Atlas bought it
“Look at it yourself? He tossed the envelope at me.
Damien picked it up before I could but I collected it. I opened it and moved my gaze to Atlas, watching him intently as I tore the letter into shreds and threw it at him.
A tear finally rolled down my cheek. This was the last year, the last time I would cry for him. Not anymore. No more wasted effort on a man who neither loved nor trusted me
“With everyone as my witness, I want to officiate my engagement to Damien, I turned to him, leaning. “We have kept it a secret for a while but pow
He made it believable by tucking a strand behind my ear and I felt uneasy. Was I making the right decision? This would become a public affair.
I didn’t even know this man and yet….
“It is time for everyone to know,” my desire to make Atlas‘ Volkan pay was stronger than my self–preservation skill
I watched as his fists tightened, glaring at Damien’s hold on me. “Even better news, I’m launching my new company, Dulia.”
“Dulia?” Someone murmured from the crowd.
“Yes,” 1 tumed to Damien. “It’s one letter from his name and the rest from mine so that we always have a part of each other.” I shifted my attention to the press. “I also want to make it clear that Dulia will be the end of Volkan Industries. Now that I have gotten my rights, I’ll prove that for the past three years, Volkan Industries and Atlas Volkan have exploited me and used my designs
The sound of clapping drew my attention and I turned to see Lovie.
“Wow! What an act. Such, drama. World–class” She spat. “First, you grab some man and claim he is your fiancé and next, you declare war against us, how do you plan to pull this off?”
“When Julia has me, plans aren’t needed.” Damien gritted, pinning her with a poker face. Lovie stumbled back however? It’s certain. Prepare to lose Volkan. Prepare to lose everything.”
“Victory.
I turned to leave with Damien when someone grabbed my wrist. I turned to see Atlas. “I will never let you succeed. This isn’t the end, Julia This is the beginning and I will make you suffer for killing my brother. I spared you because I thought his death was a consequence of what you did he continued. “Now, I realize you are a gold–digging monster. You don’t have a heart. You pushed my brother to suicide just so you could marry me from my wealth and now, you are after Damien too? Lovie was right!”
“Yes,” I confirmed and his eyes widened. “It was me. It was all me.” I continued, stepping forward. “I fooled you. I drugged you and pushed Ryle to kill himself. I needed your money, respect, and wealth. You are right. Now, I am done using you. You are chopped liver,” I threw the words at him and placed Damien’s hand on my waist.
“Now, you only have two options, Atlas. You can divorce me and I’ll take all your declarations seriously. I will even pull out all my lawsuits that are lined up. Or I placed my arms around Damien’s neck and turned to Atlas. “We can have an open marriage so I can bond with the man I truly love.”
“What will it be, Atlas Volkan? Would you rather get rid of me forever? Or watch me become someone’s completely?”
