Chapter 024
I stumbled, the world around me spinning as Atlas attacked Damien. I covered my eyes at the sound of Damien’s jaw cracking and Atlas‘ heavy breaths
Atlas was saying something, probably yelling several profanities but I couldn’t hear him over the sound of Damien’s laughter and his previous words
It sunk into me and my legs felt like jelly as I recalled how he got that video. I was a fool, a two–bit idiot who allowed myself to be used and manipulated by another man.
My hands reached into my hair as a sob escaped my lips. My grip tightened and I heard Damien again.
ing will change the fact that in a few minutes, that video will be live-
“Continue‘ Keep hitting me! But nothing w
“You scum!” Atlas raised him. Tll kill you right now, 1-
“Atlas, stop. I found my voice,
“But, Juli-
“He’ll release the video.” I whispered, my voice breaking inside my throat “Please, just let him go. I know, this is your company and all of this is my fault but please II trailed off as tears blinded my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Atlas‘ eyes softened and his grip on Damien loosened.
“Julia-” He took a step forward and I stumbled back
I shook my head and turned, walking away. I wasn’t sure where I was going or even if I had a destination. I just didn’t want to breathe the same air as Damien.
My chest tightened as I recalled that night, repeating the moment he handed me the drink, and how I gulped it down with a second thought. I woke up with a hangover, I fell asleep after one glass – I should have known something was wrong.
What happened to having a sixth sense?
“Julia? Julia stop
Atlas called after me and my eyes widened as I realized he’d stopped in front of me, breathless
Turn around I’ll drop you off.”
“I don’t get it,” I mumbled and he raised an eyebrow
“Sorry, what?”
“Why are you so worried? This is what I deserve innit? I tried to use Damien to destroy you, I caused all of these problems, heck-“I stepped forward. “You think I killed Ryle,” I added and Atlas‘ shoulder sagged
“You should be happy.” My heart ached “Why aren’t you laughing like him? I’m a fool and a clown and-”
“Chut it,” Atlas growled “You are not allowed to talk about yourself, okay? That’s where I come in and I haven’t been able to think of an insult yet. When I do, I will use it”
1 julled my eyes and had my face in my hands “All I wanted was to be a designer I just wanted to be happy, I never even
cited to get married but you came along” I sobbed “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want you, Atlas but somehow I ended up in your south and we got married.”
Atar lips parted but no words came out My knees buckled and I hit the ground “I got married to a man who would only ever lias, and a slut.” The last word was almost silent hit I knew he heard it. I raised my head and
we locked eyes Atlas stated at me so hard, I thought he was seeing through me.
“I thought that was it. Things couldn’t get worse, right?” I asked and another tear slid down. “It did. you? You’re always just standing there, blaming, doubting, and judging me I sniffles. “And yet, somehow I always find my
if my entire life revolves around you and even when I tried to get rid of you, way back to you almost seems ne happened”
I
–
This
that I could have that wouldn’t judge me- I will never have I got up and walked over to him. “Now, the only thing I wanted able to have i 1 will always be the slut that mother advise their daughters to avoid. I’ll be all over the internet and I’ll never be able to walk on the streets again, I will always be ashamed and terrified to exist” My body racked with sobs as I cried
I wanted to be strong, I did but darn it, I was so tired. I was so tired of being strong. Of always thinking on my feet, trying to fix things I didn’t break and constantly proving myself in a world where I am always on trial.
“You don’t have to ”
I raised my head and we locked eyes.
“You’re not on trial with me.”
Ifroze, realizing I said it out loud.
My breath hitched and I averted my gaze
Atlas closed the distance between us and with two fingers, he raised my chin so we locked eyes all over again.
skin his hands traced my cheek, “You shouldn’t be ashamed, worried, or scared. Not Goosebumps traveled across my because I am here or because you’re my wife,” He kept on saying that. Repeating the word wife when it meant nothing to him when our divorce papers were ready.
“You shouldn’t be ashamed because he should be. Damian Clay should be scrambling and terrified because he messed with the wrong woman. Because you did nothing wrong.”
My eyes widened at his words. “He messed with the woman who single–handedly brought down Volkan Industries, calmed
one
down a mob, and left me speechless several times,” Then he leaned as if telling a secret “No leaves me speechless, Ugly
My eyes stung as I felt his breath on my skin. He didn’t know, but I wanted this moment to last forever, I wanted him to keep speaking, I wanted his hand to linger, and I wanted to freeze in this moment.
Every fiber of his being screamed his name because, for the first time, he was seeing me, and even after seeing me, scars and flaws he was choosing me
all my
So, when Atlas Volkan pulled me into his arms for the first since I said ‘I do‘
I leaned
