Chapter 8%
Victor muttered to himself; his eyes suddenly sharp with clarity. He still clung to one thought:
No matter what… Jacqueline was innocent.
He wanted to talk to her, to explain himself. But no matter how many times he called, she didn’t pick up.
A wave of panic struck him as he suddenly remembered her heart condition. He rushed through the estate, searching room by room.
Then, as he passed by Mrs. Lane’s door, he stopped in his tracks.
From inside, he heard two voices, his stepmother’s and Jacqueline’s.}
“Mommy, didn’t you say someone drugged Victor? Why hasn’t he touched me recently? Jacqueline, I’ll ask for you later.“}
“Oh right, that day I tried to kill Julia to shut her up, but her stupid dad blocked the attack. I was so pissed!“}
“Thankfully, Victor helped me unplug that bastard’s ventilator. The hospital said he’s been cremated, but I’m still worried Julia might spill everything.”
“Don’t worry. Now that Julia’s married to James, she’ll behave. Just keep manipulating Victor.”
Victor felt like his entire world collapsed. His blood ran cold.”
He had never imagined the truth would be so vile, so disgusting.}
When he came to his senses again, he had already driven to James Burn’s company building.”
And there she was, Julia in a flowing dress, radiant under the sunlight. It was as if every beam of light in the world gathered around her.
She saw him. But she looked away, pretending he wasn’t there.
James Burn’s driver had already opened the car door for her. But just as she stepped forward, Victor grabbed her wrist.
“Did you eat my wedding candy, Nephew?” he growled.
His jaw was tight. His expression was grim.
“What kind of aunt are you to me? I don’t recognize you.”
Julia met his gaze, calm and cold.
“Whether you recognize me or not… this time, I didn’t marry you. Are you happy now?“}
She cut through the tension with cruel clarity. Victor’s gaze darkened, shadows swirling in his eyes.}
He rarely spoke much, but now he whispered “I’m sorry. It wasn’t until today that I realized… none of that was your fault.”}
Julia puiled her hand free.
“You think you’re so clever, but you’ve been someone’s puppet all along.“}
“Don’t worry, I even changed your number for you this time. Now you and Jacqueline can be together forever.”}
“Don’t mention her!” he snapped and pulled her into a hug.
She froze.
“I know your father died because of me,” Victor murmured. “I’m sorry. I truly am.“}
At the mention of her father, Julia trembled. She could still feel the coldness of his fingers.
That suffocating silence in the hospital room.
“Sorry?” she whispered. “Do you think that’s enough?”
“He died because of you. Will you bring him back?“}
Tears fell down her cheeks.}
Victor watched her silently, heart aching.}
“Let me atone. Julia, please forgive me, just this once.”}]
He leaned in, his breath brushing her skin. His cool lips moved toward hers-
“Divorce James. I know you don’t love him…”
But before their lips could meet, a cold voice interrupted, “Our marital affairs are none of your concern, nephew.“}]
Both of them frozen.”
James stood there, calm yet sharp, like a blade. Victor turned slowly, his expression iced over.
“There’s no such thing as love in wealthy families. Uncle, maybe you should let her go.””
Then he sneered. “Julia, you don’t know this yet, but your so–called husband isn’t a good person.”
He tried to wedge doubt between them. But then, he saw Julia smile sweetly and slide her arm around James Burn’s.
She looked up at her husband gently. “James, why’d you come down?”
James reached out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “The security said some lunatic was loitering down stairs. Thought I’d check it out.”
The atmosphere between the two men turned taut with tension.
Julia stepped forward, shielding James. “Victor, if you have nothing better to do, stop showing up here. We’re not close. My husband might get jealous.”
Victor stared at her, trying to find cracks in her mask.
