5

Julian's eyelids fluttered open, and she looked around tiredly, breathing softly. She could see the familiar chandelier and also perceived the familiar scent of the rose flower in the garden which was only located in Asher's Mansion.

She smiled now, wondering why she was having a weird dream about the man she loathed. Slowly, she sits up and rubs her eyes.

" Donny? " She called sleepily but no answer came through. " Donny? Are you there? I need to use the bathroom. Can you help? "

There was no response but there was an offer. A palm was extended to her and she smiled at it. Slowly, she looked up as she wanted to take this palm only to lay eyes on the very last person she wished to see. Asher Atticus.

The slumber in her eyes vanished away at once, and she looked around frantically to see she was back in the room she had once called her matrimonial bedroom.

Then she waited for a while, allowing the memories to rush back in, making her feel more irritated than she could ever be.

" Donny? " She called out now, scared and agitated. " Donny, are you out there? "

" He is in Moscow. He told me he got a commercial to do " Asher replied, stunning her so much.

" Oh, well. I have to go. I need to close the windows in the bungalow to keep the house warm. Please excuse me and ... "

She was still saying, trying hard to stand on her swollen feet, when Asher reached out to her, but Julian slapped his hand away so aggressively.

" I will say this once Asher. Not again " She began tightly. " Don't you ever lay your hands on me or else... "

" Or what? What exactly? " He dared softly, frustrated. " You certainly do not know what is wrong with you, do you? Do you have the slightest idea what is growing in your body? You are killing yourself and my baby! Damn it! My baby. For many years, I have worked tirelessly to save countless people who share the same situation, but I couldn't save my own family. My own woman and baby? "

" Point of correction, Asher. I am not your woman anymore. I never was, to begin with. Were you not interested in Hattie? Oh, wait. Are you both married now? Don't tell me she is pregnant too, is she? Is she? Answer me! "

Asher remains silent. He didn't wish to infuriate her further. She has suffered enough because of me, he thought.

" Our parents want to have a conversation with us in the living room. Come on out, " He said and then walked out, leaving her to herself and her emotions.

Her parents are there too?

" Mom " She suddenly said to herself. The thought of her Mom in the living room filled her with energy, and she moved out of the room.

Julian headed at once into the living room to meet her mother, but immediately she stepped in, she stopped abruptly.

Not only her mother arrived, but also her father and Asher's parents. Everyone seated, staring coldly at her except her own mother.

" Mom ", She called hurriedly, and Salina quickly got up to pull her only daughter into her embrace. She pulled back seconds later to kiss her cheek.

" My beautiful baby. I ... I heard how much you have suffered. I'm so sorry I couldn't... "

" I'm fine, Mom. I will be "

" Well, I really hope you will because I can't fathom the cruelty of this man you once called your husband and ... "

" Watch your tone and words, Mrs Atlas. I won't sit aside and watch you insult my son, call him names, " Lady Kathleen cut in.

A beautiful elegant lady who is the biological mother of Asher. She was glaring at Salina as she spoke, and the latter, who already wasn't in a great mood, gently pulled away from her daughter to render her once-in-law with a malicious gaze.

" Now I understand where your son got the bad characters from. I shouldn't be surprised "

" Oh, woman! You won't talk to me that way. You ... "

" Honey. That's enough! " Atticus, Asher's father, finally says to his wife softly while Mr Atlas also signalled his own wife to come settled down.

The small drama from the women shows how much the marriage of Julian and Asher has hit the rock. Julian tiredly goes to sit down away from her ex-husband, awaiting their speech.

" Uhm ... I apologize for the short commotion. Atlas, forgive my wife for her outburst. She Never means all she says, " Mr Atticus, Asher's father, began. He is a gorgeous man whose beauty Asher had inherited.

" Salina, I ... I apologize sincerely for how my son had treated your daughter. Hm... I can swear to you this wasn't what he had in store for her. You know how marriage can be. You are in one too "

Salina didn't bother to reply. She was too annoyed to be appeased. Atticus continues anyway. This time to his daughter-in-law.

" Honey? How are you? I heard about the news and you can be sure I scolded this husband of yours ... "

" Ex-husband " Julian softly mutters under her breath. Gently she raised up her head to see everyone was staring at her. " Asher is my Ex-husband, sir. I will be happy if you call a spade a spade "

Her words didn't only take Mr Atticus aback but also caused Lady Kathleen to burst out in fury.

" Ohh, that rude wench! Now she is talking back to my husband. You rude... "

" That's enough mother " Asher's voice suddenly came through, silencing his mother. " Do not insult my wife. I won't sit back if you do "

This time, it was Julian's turn to be more shocked. Never in her entire life as Asher's wife had he taken her side so solidly. His glare directed at his mother just for her sake makes her heart suddenly leap for joy, but then she squashes the little hope when she remembers her plight.

" I'm not your wife, Asher. We are divorced, remember? "

" Well, no ", Lady Kathleen replied again, glaring. " I suppose you didn't read the New York Times news in your hiding place. You would have known my son decided to stop the divorce halfway after you ran away like a ... "

" Mother! " Asher exclaimed again. This time around he is so fierce. " Do not insult my woman. Dad? Will you talk to your wife? "

Lady Kathleen only rolls her eyes but keeps mute while Mr Atticusis is seated to see how the event unfolds. Julian's parents also had to leave the couple to themselves.

After the silence, Asher slowly turned to his wife again, his grey eyes pinned on her, and then gently, he reached out to take Julian's hand.

The latter was so stunned at the physical contact. She never expected him to lay his palm over hers and when he did, she felt the cold chill run down her spine.

" My ... My mom is right, Ju. I was mad that night. Jealous. I thought you visited Donny and ... "

" The divorce papers are ready when I get home that night, Asher " Julian cut in tiredly. " Do not brainwash me. You never loved me, and you never cared about me. You are only here because of your baby, right? "

" Julian ... "

" You must have been excited that I came back only to be at your mercy. You must have been glad that Donny begged you "

" Ju, I realized my mistake the moment I couldn't get hold of you. You can ask your mom, the very next day I came to your home for forgiveness but you were nowhere to be found "

" That was because you told me to go to hell! You sent me packing that night alone and ... "

" I didn't send you packing ", Asher cut her off almost angrily. " You were the one who got into the bedroom and packed your bags "

" Was that not what you have always wanted so you can bring in your mistress? "

Asher's eyes suddenly narrowed at her accusation, and then his mask slipped through. He pulls back his palm to glare at her, too.

" That's rich coming from you, who eloped with another man immediately after signing the divorce paper. With my baby at that "

" Elope? " She couldn't believe her ears. " You can never change. I hate you! "

Asher didn't give a response because he knew well enough she never meant her words. He stares at her for a while and then turns to his father-in-law. He lowered his gaze, and his head bowed a bit.

" I'm sorry, father. I failed you. I ... I didn't... "

" You don't need to explain. I understand son. Marriage can be tough. You will get it right soon "

Upon hearing this, Julian looks up to her father with a frown, wondering what is going on.

" Uhm ... I will make an arrangement for her to be cured. I'm... Not sure if ... Mom can let her come back to me and ... "

" Of Course not. Over my dead body, " Salina was quick to silence her son-in-law. " I can't let my daughter stay with him. I am taking her home today without fail. They should finalize the divorce. I only have one child and he wanted to kill her for me. No way "

Julian swallowed hard at her mother's outburst, grateful that she was standing on solid ground. She prayed her father didn't give in as well, but when Mr Atlas turned to her, she knew he had already made a decision.

" You are still bound to Asher Atticus by law. He is your lawful wedded husband "

" Dad! "

" You can't stay in my House "

" Fine. I will live... "

" You can't stay anywhere else except your husband's home "

" He is my Ex-husband. I sign the divorce papers, Father. Please. Don't do this to me. I ... "

" That's my final decision. He needs to take care of you concerning your health. Well, if you have a better opinion, I'm all ears "

Julian's heart sank as she lost the battle. Tiredly, she flops back on the couch dejectedly. She realizes again that she is trapped with her ex-husband.

As she shifted her gaze to stare at him, she set her jaw angrily and then vowed to make life a living hell for him.