Chapter 4

“What? Married him for money? We both know that isn't true, Amelia!” Julia snapped at her as she tightened her fist. She couldn't believe that Amelia would make up such filthy stories just to bring her down.

“If I am lying, then tell me why you had another man between your legs right before your wedding day, Julia?” Amelia uttered disgustingly, shocking Julia suddenly.

“I don't have time for this, Amelia. So if you both don't mind, I'd like you to leave my way!” Julia commanded and was about to walk out of the shop, but Amelia grabbed her hand and pulled her back to her former spot.

“Oh, you can't run yet, Julia. Not when you haven't admitted that you are nothing but a slut who birthed a bastard!” Amelia declared through gritted teeth.

With deliberate, menacing steps, Amelia closed the distance between herself and Julia. Her presence felt suffocating, increased by the malicious glint in her eyes as she leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper in Julia's ear.

"You know, you could kneel and beg me... I might just know who the father of your twerp is!" The words cut through Julia like shards of glass, igniting a fierce storm of anger and hurt within her.

Julia's reaction was instinctive, fueled by a surge of raw emotion. Without hesitation, she swung her hand, delivering a stinging slap across Amelia's cheek.

 The sharp sound echoed in the tense silence of the store, Amelia recoiling from the impact, her hand flying to her reddening skin.

"Mind your words, Amelia!" Julia's voice was sharp, laced with authority and indignation. "I am much older than you, remember?"

Amelia stumbled backward, caught off guard by Julia's sudden strength. She instinctively sought peace in Logan's embrace, his arms wrapping protectively around her. 

“Are you going insane, Julia? Do you want to hurt her and the baby?” Logan bellowed as he glared at Julia.

“Her baby? What a joke!” Julia scoffed, rolling her eyes in disgust.

“Whatever silly plot she has, I hope you don't fall even deeper for it. Amelia is nothing but a cunning bitch!” She yelled at the top of her voice, causing Logan to let go of Amelia and grab Julia by the neck in a tight grip, almost suffocating her.

 Panic flashed in Julia's eyes as she struggled against his strong grasp, feeling the pressure constricting her windpipe.

"Let go!" Her voice came out in strained gasps as she fought to pry his fingers away. In the midst of their struggle, the ring she held slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a sharp clink.

"You're the one who's cunning, Julia!" Logan's accusation cut through the air as he shoved her away, his grip releasing abruptly. Julia stumbled backward, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and anger.

The moment she hit the ground, her focus narrowed to finding the ring. It was her last hope for financial stability, she couldn't afford to lose it. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her neck and the ache in her chest, she frantically scanned the floor.

Finally spotting it, relief flooded through her as she reached out. But before her fingers could grasp the ring, Amelia's foot came down hard, crushing Julia's hand against the unforgiving floor. 

"Ahh!" The pain shot through Julia like lightning, her cry echoing in the tense silence of the room. Tears welled in her eyes as she recoiled, clutching her injured hand to her chest.

Amelia bent over, picked up the ring, and shot a glare at Julia. “This isn't yours anymore!” She stood up with the ring and handed it over to Logan. “It is mine now.”

With a vicious sneer on her lips, she stretched out her fingers to Logan, a sign indicating that it was time for her to put on the ring; Julia's ring.

“No! That's mine!” Julia sprang to her feet, and just as she was about to reach for it, Logan pushed her away.

“Not anymore, Julia!” He said bluntly. “You see, I have always promised to get Amelia this kind of ring, and if she wants this, then I won't hesitate to give it to her,” he sneered.

Julia didn't want to let go of the ring because of its value, but in the end, it was his. She sighed with a tightened fist.

“Fine!” Julia declared. “Since you want all of my trash anyways, I'll allow you to have that in your collection too! After all, I was going to throw it out. That's what trash is for!” She snarled as she declared, making Amelia rage in fury.

"How dare you say such a thing..." Amelia's voice dripped with venom as she lifted her hand, ready to strike Julia across the face. 

Before her blow could land, a powerful grip seized her wrist, forcefully pulling her away from Julia.

"Don't you even think of laying a single finger on her!" The deep, commanding voice resonated through the store, drawing everyone's attention. Julia turned to see Caspian standing there, his presence imposing and unexpected.

Her heart raced with a mix of relief and intrigue. Why was Caspian here, and why was he intervening in this situation?

Logan, seething with anger, moved to confront Caspian, but Dominic swiftly interposed himself, standing firm in front of Logan. His voice was stern and unwavering as he cautioned Logan against any rash actions.

"I'd advise you to stay still, Mr. Logan. Don't overstep your boundaries with Mr. Caspian!" Dominic's words were a clear warning, his hands visibly tense as they remained in his pockets.

Seeing that Dominic had everything under control, Caspian walked over to where Julia was standing. With his arms wrapped around her waist, he pulled her closer to his warm body, which shocked Julia deeply.

“Are these beggars bothering you, honey?” Caspian asked in the most romantic way possible, his icy eyes piercing into Julia's, leaving her lost and confused.

Why was he calling her sweet names?

“And who do you think you are to call her that?” Logan snapped, seeing Julia and Caspian so close to each other.

“Isn't it obvious?” Caspian sneered as his grip tightened. “She's my wife, and I am her husband!”

“What?” Julia and Amelia exclaimed as they snapped their gazes to Caspian, who sounded more dominating than ever.

“That's not true, man! She is my wife!” Logan declared, suddenly tinged with anger and jealousy.

“Not anymore, fussball. I am her husband now, and you are nothing but an ex who lost his chance at a better life. Have fun with your slut!” Caspian cursed as he grabbed Julia's hand and dragged her out of the shop before Logan could say another word to him.

“Sir, I…” Julia immediately pulled her hand out of his grip the moment they left the shop, her head lowered in respect but confusion.

“Don't stop now; they might notice!” He grabbed her hand again and was about to keep dragging her to his car, but she thwarted his steps, pulling her hand out of his grip.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. I don't know why you helped me, but…" Julia began to speak, her words cut short as Caspian stepped forward decisively. 

His hand gently cupped her cheek, his touch both unexpected and surprisingly tender. Before she could react, he drew her closer and pressed his lips against hers in a sudden, intense kiss.

Julia froze, her mind spinning as his kiss took her by surprise. Her wide eyes reflected a mixture of shock and disbelief, her heart racing in her chest. 

As Julia's senses returned to her, she instinctively pushed Caspian and took a step away from him, creating a distance between them. Her voice trembled with a mix of confusion and shock. 

"What do you think you're trying to do, sir?" Her tone was sharp, her expression guarded as she tried to process the sudden turn of events.

"Isn't it obvious, Julia?" Caspian's voice held a hint of urgency and determination. 

"I want you to be my wife. Marry me, Julia Thompson, and I promise to make them pay for treating you this way."