Framed

Giselle POV

Before I could say another word, a heavy hand grasped me by the arms, dragging me on the floor. Looking up, I saw Julian, I immediately noticed something had changed about him. Though Julian was mostly cold towards me, this was different, I really couldn’t place a finger on it but it was there. 

As we moved down the staircase, his cold demeanor showed no emotions but his heavy hand did, it broke every single bone in my arm.

“Julian, please, you need to listen to me,” I begged, my face already soaked with tears as I struggled to free myself from his firm grip.

It was raining heavily outside but Julian didn’t flinch as we stepped into the cold weather. Bare footed, the chills of the weather swept over me, shivers run through my spine intensifying the pain I felt in my chest. I couldn’t comprehend what was going on. The last thing I remember was the door van closing behind me and then before I could redeem myself , my husband was dragging me out of Pines Avenue in such cold weather.

“Julian, let’s talk about this as a married couple,I haven’t done anything wrong”, my voice trembled, Julian remained unhinged, dragging me along as I struggled to keep up to his pace.

Getting to the grand entrance of the avenue, he shoved me out like a piece of dirty rag, locking the gate firmly behind me. 

“Shut up, Giselle! and don’t even think of going anywhere!”, He barked ,finally relieving me of the uncertainty because his silence was making me run mad more than the actual circumstance I found myself in.

He turned around with no pity leaving me to stay drenched in the rain.

“No, no Julian, you can’t do this to me”, I pleaded, banging the gate rhythmically to the beat of the rain, to get his attention if my voice alone wasn’t doing justice.

“Julian! For once please trust me!”, l screamed on top of my voice but without a flinch, without looking back, he entered the mansion leaving me to succumb to the rain and cold weather.

With all hope lost, I coiled up at the entrance,hugging my knee tightly,preserving the little heat I have left in me. I had nowhere in mind to go plus all my cards were in the mansion. My only hope was to wait for a change of heart in Julian and get saved from this downpour.

Time passed quickly but there was no hope as I remained drenched in the rain, my back aching from my position and my sight blurred by the heavy downpour.

 Just then through the blurry vision, I saw a black Mercedes approaching. It stopped abruptly and deep down I yelled “save me!” but my lips lacked the strength to spit it out.

A thick blanket enveloped me, causing my eyes to shut simultaneously as my body felt its warm fur cuddle me. Then followed by a familiar voice but uncertainty gripped me because my brother was somewhere in Japan.

“Giselle!, What are you doing here in such a condition?” Annet's voice pierced through the rhythmic sound of the downpour as he pulled me in for a warm embrace.

“Is that you Annet?” I questioned, still skeptical to believe, he was really the one standing beside me.

“ Yes Giselle, I came here to attend to some issues for grandpa. Let’s get out of here” He concluded as he scooped me into his arms. The last thing I remember was a man opening the car door and darkness engulfed me like the thief of the night.

Julian POV

My chest filled up with wrath with the scene I just witnessed. My heart wanted to believe Giselle, that she had nothing to do with that good-for-nothing slut but my brain kept renewing the memory of the scene I badged in to see. To prevent myself from hurting her, I had to get rid of her from my sight.

I could hear Giselle’s fists pounding the gate furiously matching with the heavy downpour but I restrained myself from running back into her arms, not wanting to look stupid. 

Most people do not know about my relationship with Giselle except very close relations. “Was she getting back at me with this idea? Or is she tired of this marriage already? How long has she been doing this under my roof?! Giselle looks innocent to do this to me? Several thoughts run through my mind; some justifying what had just happened, others condemning Giselle.

Entering the mansion, I was welcomed by the cursing words and insults my mother was heaping on Giselle. 

“That gold digger! How can someone be this shameless?! Oh, that shameless woman wants to tanish our family? We took her in as a family! She had nothing! nothing! and this is how she wants to repay us? I won’t let her manipulate us any longer!

Throughout my three years of marriage, Mother’s disgust for Giselle was unmistakable. It was crystal clear on her face whenever Giselle was around.

“Those photos mom, where did you get them from?”, I inquired as they freshly replayed in my mind.

“I did my own research since she had blinded you and nothing I say would make you believe me! Remember, I told you, I once came to meet an empty house when I came to the avenue. I asked you about it but you brushed it off. I made sure to look into it and these were my findings. That thing you call a wife was meeting up with other men!”

 My jaw tightened, my fist clenched , unleashing the agony and frustration fueling up in me.

Giselle, my wife, has always been an orphan for as long as I have known her. She used to visit our house with Velma, most times even spent her vacations with us.

According to Velma, she was on scholarship in their university. Giselle was just an exceptional student, surpassing expectations, acing all her exams and always going the extra mile to maintain her outstanding performance.

After my sudden marriage to Giselle that put an end to what she cherished and worked so hard at; her education, I asked her a troubling question. “ Why did you accept to be my replacement bride?”, I inquired.

Initially she ignored my questions, making me more furious and troubled. I needed to know the reason and live with her as such so I kept persisting. 

“ I need money. I didn't want my life of poverty anymore. I want my children to enjoy the beautiful side of this world”, she spilled out ,one faithful afternoon.

Giselle’s answer left me devastated. I couldn’t believe she was being this opportunistic,throwing away her life just to join the Walker family and here I was growing my feelings towards her. Before I realized, my demeanor towards her had changed completely because I’ve always despised those who take advantage of the wealth of others. My parents were no exception and I have repeated the same mistake.

My dad encountered my mother as a housekeeper in a friend’s house during a dinner party. Mom had always dreamt of how she could live a lavish lifestyle . Therefore she didn’t miss the chance to join the Walker family when dad wanted to wipe his mess after impregnating her. Her crave for luxury and power is evident, and her choices frequently annoyed me and my father.

Velma is the only family member I could trust and rely on even though we are not from the same mother.

“Are you even listening to me ”, Mom's words cut through my thoughts, grabbing my attention. “Who does that stupid slut think she is to mess with the Walker Family?” I have been telling you Gwen’s far better than her! She has wealth of her own! But you won't listen ,Julian! You won't!

“She is called Giselle, Mom! Not ‘stupid slut’!, I corrected, fed up with all the insults she has bombarded Giselle with.

I collapsed into the sofa drained from all the unstoppable challenges channeled my way. From the overwhelming pressure of being the son and heir of a wealthy man, being at the beck and call of a manipulative mother and her outrageous love for money and now Giselle’s betrayal which cuts deep to the call, all outweighs me.

“She's nothing but a gold digger seeking refuge in becoming a wife!”, Mom spat out.

I banged my hands on the sofa, releasing my frustration. “Mom, I think it's time to leave,” slipped out of my mouth.

“What”, she glared at me with a confused look. “Julian, that lady cheated on you for heaven's sake! And you want to let go right?!, Her voice echoed through the room. “ Fine, I will leave but tell that ungrateful bitch you call a wife that I'm not done with her yet for tanishing this family!”, She barked straight into my eyes before angrily picking up her bag and heading towards her waiting Mercedes.

As she stormed out , Giselle came back to mind. I nervously searched the house and its surroundings but she was gone. The last thing I wanted was to lose Giselle like this. Desperate, I rushed for my phone and reached out to Lucas to discover my wife's whereabouts.

After an eternity twenty minutes of suspense and anticipation of news about her whereabouts, I finally got a call.

“Boss,Mr. Annet, your newest neighbor, sent Miss Giselle to the hospital.”