+25 BONUS
Chapter 016
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Damien wasn’t lying when he said Delane was a grand celebration for the wealthiest of the wealthiest.
It felt like stepping into a different world, after being cooked up in the four walls of the Volkan mansion. Several guests murmured as I walked by, soft music played in the background, and the clicking of glasses made my grip on Damien tighten. How turned and we locked eyes before he mouthed. “You’re okay.” He said, “Focus on me. Eyes on me
I nodded as he led me to the center of the ball,
Il, and murmurs picked up again.
“Isn’t that Julia Volkan? The silver designer? She’s Atlaa Volkan’s wife! Why is she dancing with Damien Vale?”
“Oh, you don’t know?” Another whispered. “She announced her engagement to his despite being married”
Damien’s grip on me tightened and his jaw clenched. He tried to turn but I stopped him. I shook my head and he offered a soft
smile.
My heart fluttered. He noticed everything. Damien felt like a foreign dish I had never tasted, something out of this world, beyond reach
“Don’t listen to them.” He said.
I won’t Eyes on you, remember?”
He pulled me closer and it happened. We were told apart and my eyes widened as they locked with Atlas
He looked furious. He turned and glared daggers at Damien “What are you doing with my wife?”
“Yes, how can you do this, Julia?”
1?” Lovie whispered, stepping from behind him. “He’s your husband and yet you are-
“I could say the same thing about you, Lovie I retorted and she gasped. “That is my husband, why are you following him around like a handbag? Is this because you both have agreed to this open marriage?”
“Enough of this, Julia,” Atlas growled and grabbed my wrist. “We are going home-
I broke into a dry laugh. “Home?” My voice cracked. “What home? You told me if I left, there would be nowhere to return to.” I yanked my wrist from his grip and leaned against Damien, To be honest, I don’t feel like returning, not in this life.”
“Julia” Lovie broke into a sob. “Despite everything you have done, Atlas is just trying to help-”
ang on you
You need to
Im not a damsel in distress. I am someone’s fiance. I’m waiting for my divorce. I have nothing to hang let go of the past and move on ”
“Julia Lovie yelled “Just because you have found a rich man, doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Come, I am your elder sister I will teach you-”
“Adopted “I spat “We are not related by
related by blood. We are not sisters. If I was your sister, you would have spared me three years
Atlas o eyes flickered at my y words He turned to Lovie “What does she mean Lovie? What
ד
“Lovie trailed off, frantically shaking her head for me to stop.
1pcuffed “That’s funny. She gave you all the evidence but left out the most important. If you find a time when she’s not undressing for you, ask her where she was the night you were drugged Was she really at the supermarket?” I stepped. forward Or was she waiting in the room opposite you?”
Julie Lovie cried and raised her hand to slap me, Damien caught it and we locked eyes
“My apologies, Ms Lovie No one is allowed to hit my fiancee, besides, how did you get invited? Only designers are allowed here and last I checked, you were banned for being a plagianist
”
“Is this what you came here for?” Atlas‘
fists tightened. “Did you
id you come here
e to rub your fiance in our faces? You came to humiliate Lovie?”
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“The world might be round, but it doesn’t revolve around you, Atlas,” I informed him and he averted his gaze, breathing heavily. I am not here to fight. I am here to officially announce my partnership with Clava
Atlas‘ eyes snapped open. His knuckles almost turned white as his chest rose and fell
“You are working for him?”
dustries the
“Why? Is Volkan Industries the only company out there?”
“Can’t you see he’s using you? I am sure this is about the Euphoria project! You cannot trust him, Julia!”
I stepped back at his outburst. Why was he so disturbed by this? As if I had entered the lion’s den and he was struggling to pull me out
Because for the first time in three years, Atlas Volkan packed for a split second.
The decision has already been made Volkan. Besides, you used Julia for years. You are just spiteful that she is building something new.”
Damien’s words snapped me out of my daze. He was right. Atlas was just being spiteful. There was nothing more to it. With that in mind, 1 started walking away from everyone.
I stopped in front of the restroom and entered, I needed to breathe. I tried to lock the door but it was stuck. I sighed in frustration and my gaze traced the source to see black boots stuck between the door
Then, I traced it up before locking eyes with him.
Before I could process anything. Atlas Volkan’s lips slammed against mine, I stumbled but he caught me. My heart stopped, my entire froze and goosebumps travelled accross my skin.
When I finally came back to my senses, I pushed him away and stepped back. “What do you
breathless
“You are not going to get married to that idiot are you?”
think of yourself?” I asked,
“Why do you care? I am your brother’s murderer. If it was up to you, I would have drowned in that pool, I will never forget that
He scoffed. “As if you couldn’t swim
ought I could swim?
My eyes stung with fresh tears. He thought
“Let me guess, Lovie told you that lie too? And while I was flailing my hands for help, you thought I was seeking your attention?” I croaked, struggling to turn the storm inside me into words
Sidence reigned over us for a few seconds before something flicked in Atlas‘ eyes. Then, in a small almost inaudible whisper, be dared to ask “You can swim, right?”
“If I could, I wouldn’t have been drowning at your side for so many years. I am out of the pool Atlas and no matter how warm the water was, I am done drowning because you never pull me out.
I turned to leave but the sound of people screaming filled my ears. I turned to see Atlas holding up a phone
A video was playing and my heart dropped into my stomach as I realised what it was. My breath hitched as my eyes traveled
As Atlas
have you done? Why did you set Clava on fue?? I boomed “You do realize that everyone will know it’s you and come after you You are mad and senseless and-
he as his hand traced my cheek. I stumbled and my back
leel his breath on my skin as I struggled to pretend this proximity did not exist.
“But you know what I hate more than hating you?”
Our eyes locked again and Atlas pressed his lips against mine, exploring them once again. When he pulled away, his words broke my stone–cold heart
*Seeing you
you with someone that isn’t me” He adjusted his cuffs. “And if you continue to entangle yourself with Damien? I don’t care if he’s the president. He declared. “He’ll lose his life next”
