Chapter 005

  "You are lying," My knees threatened to buckle as I stared at the document.

  

  The camera flashes tore through the moment, grounding me. I could barely hear their murmurs over the sound of my heartbeat.

  

  The document in front of me stated that Lovie had copyright over my designs. My signature was boldly drawn there.

  

  How?

  

  "What did you say?" Atlas taunted. "These were your designs? You created them... Lies!" He boomed and turned to the reporters.

  

  My heart raced. They followed us here. Mother helped Lovie stand, while she clung to her.

  

  "This is the real proof," Atlas showed them his phone and I shook my head.

  

  "No, I don't remember signing anything."

  

  "Of course, you don't." He informed me, "You remember everything except the truth — how convenient."

  

  "He's lying. These are my designs, why would I sell them off?" I almost sobbed as my heart twisted in my chest.

  

  A tear dared to roll down my cheek and Atlas tightened his fist, looking away.

  

  "What are those tears for? Another attempt at forced sympathy?"

  

  Three years.

  

  I stayed with this man for three years and he didn't bat an eye before betraying me.

  

  He left me to die and now, this.

  

  My stomach churned as the reporters glared at me.

  

  "This is disgusting! She crashed her sister's runway to humiliate her!"

  

  "I can't believe I was siding with her! Horrible!"

  

  "Atlas? I am feeling dizzy." Lovie whispered and Atlas lifted her but he kept his gaze on me.

  

  "Mrs. Volkan, why did you do this?"

  

  "Yes! Why did you stoop so low?"

  

  "Maybe this is why he is cheating! She is not a good woman!"

  

  "Enough!" I snapped, my heart breaking as I glared at Atlas. "I am sick of this drama. Let us settle this once and for all. I insist that those documents are fake and I am ready to repeat that in any court, and add that I was either forced to sign it under duress or it is forged."

  

  Atlas frowned, narrowing his eyes at me. "You would dare go against me?"

  

  "Hubby, look around. I was never with you, to begin with. I have never been a part of your life. So, from what bond do you demand loyalty?"

  

  Our eyes locked and his lips twitched, almost as if he wanted to say something but no sound came.

  

  "In addition, I am launching a new collection in three days and Lovie should launch another collection, it is one thing to be the designer in name and another thing to be the CEO of VK Industries. If I can prove that I am a better designer, I want that seat and not just that, I want my twenty percent back." I declared to the press and Atlas.

  

  "Yes, yes. Mrs. Volkan has a point. It has to be a fair fight."

  

  "She can't be this bold while lying."

  

  "Yes, Mr. Volkan cannot reject a fair compromise, right?"

  

  I turned to Atlas, "Deal?"

  

  Our eyes locked. "And if you fail?"

  

  I stepped forward. "I will publicly apologize to Lovie and —"

  

  "You will sign a Non disclosure contract and completely license all future works to Lovie. Deal?"

  

  My heart dropped. He... he wanted me to give her everything? All my rights and designs?

  

  "What, Julia? Are you having cold feet?"

  

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. I could not afford to be weak now. I trusted in my skills and this was my only chance to expose them. "Deal."

  

  Atlas nodded, shoving me aside as he carried Lovie out, leaving me with the press.

  

  Once again, he chose her. Despite the reality, my knees threatened to buckle at their proximity.

  

  I brushed past the reporters and took a taxi home. I ran my hands through my hair, irritated as rain fell.

  

  This was a horrible time to be dealing with the weather. Stepping out of the cab, I walked toward the door and frowned when it was locked.

  

  I glanced around for any sign of my belongings but there was none.

  

  The rain slapped me on the cheek but I continued knocking, "Sylvia!" I called. "Anyone? I am out—"

  

  The door opened to reveal Atlas.

  

  I tried to enter but he stopped me. "You are not coming inside."

  

  I frowned and crossed my arms, "Why? This is also my house."

  

  "Yes," He admitted, "You can come in after your punishment."

  

  My forehead creased. "Punishment? And what am I being punished for?"

  

  "Are you going to pretend  you don't know what you did?" He spat, glaring at me. "You destroyed Lovie's happiness! You snatched her father, husband, and now, her credit. Do you have no limits? Or a shred of empathy?"

  

  "I am your wife, Atlas. But your priority lies with her?" I narrowed my eyes at him "I would rather die than empathize with her."

  

  "Fine, stay in the rain then! Over there," He gestured at a shade but didn't meet my eyes. "Because you won't enter unless you apologize to her!"

  

  The door shut in my face and I sighed as the rain continued.

  

  I wrapped my arms around myself and sat in front of the door. Shed? Since when did he care about me?

  

  My stomach twisted into knots as the rain continued assaulting the ground.

  

  The sound of the door opening caught my attention and I frowned as Lovie stepped out.

  

  "I must admit, you grew a backbone out here,"  Lovie said before she chuckled. "But you failed. No one believed you."

  

  "For now. I will prove to everyone that you are a fake, Lovie."

  

  "You couldn't prove that you didn't kill our father. Or that you didn't drug Atlas, or that you didn't try to hurt me." She closed the distance between us and whispered. "So how will you prove your rights?"

  

  "Lovie—"

  

  "I am just saying, Julia. You have a track record of being a failure and I am here to end it."

  

  I frowned at her words and watched wide-eyed as something cold touched my hands.

  

  I flinched when I realized it was a gun. "I have snatched everything, just like I promised. Remember? After Father died saving you, I promise I would take everything you loved. Look, I win."

  

  "Feel free to end it. No one will miss you."

  

  My body slacked as she walked into the house, shutting the door. My blood boiled.

  

  I was about to tug on my hair when my phone pinged, I opened it to see a text, and as I read it, my stomach twisted even more.

  

  I hid my phone and curled into myself, the content in that text would be a last resort.

  

  The sound of laughter reached me and I stood, walking over to the window.

  

  My heart ached as Atlas and Lovie played with flour. It looked warm inside, and soon, he was dancing with her.

  

  He was neither soft nor kind to me but to her?

  

  Atlas was Prince Charming.

  

  Even now, I was outside being drenched in rain while they were celebrating.

  

  I glanced at the text again — why should I hold back? I had the chance to ruin the Volkan family and Lovie, there was nothing to look back at.

  

  I didn't want this life anymore.

  

  Wiping my tears, I sent a response to the person and allowed the rain to drown me.

  

  My eyes opened as the sound of footsteps rang through. I sat up, seeing Atlas and Lovie.

  

  The dark-haired man wrapped his arms around her. "So, are you ready to apologize?"

  

  "I'd. rather. die."

  

  His eyes darkened at my words and he grabbed my arm. "If you don't apologize—"

  

  "What more can you take from me, Mr, Volkan?"

  

  There was a flicker in his eyes and his grip loosened a bit. However, it was gone as soon as it came.

  

  "I will throw you out of the house."

  

  My heart ached and my insides churned as he held her close. He had never been so blatant and open with their affair.

  

  But, they had spent the night together in our home while I was outside, drenched in the rain.

  

  There was no sympathy or space left in his life for me and there was no space in my heart either.

  

  For her, he was snatching my life's work...

  

  He would be elated at my decision. I was going to set him free so he could be with Lovie. His first love.

  

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was done. "There is no point dragging this out,"

  

  I brushed past them into the house, rushing to his study. I pulled out the document he had threatened me with for years.

  

  I turned to see them behind me. They followed me, even better.

  

  I locked eyes with Atlas and a tear rolled down my cheek as I spoke, handing him the papers.

  

  "I want a divorce, Atlas."

  

  Lovie's eyes sparkled at my words and Atlas grabbed the papers. "R-really?"

  

  I waited for him to sign, watching as his knuckles turned white.

  

  However, my eyes widened as Atlas Volkan raised the document and tore it apart...