Julian’s POV. I sat at the bar, staring at the glass in front of me, barely touching it. The dim lights cast long shadows across the counter, and the low murmurs of conversation blended with the soft clinking of glasses with the people around, drinking merrily as if they had never had any problem or need all their lives. It was late, my mother had been calling non-stop including Kristina but I didn’t feel like going home. I had been waiting for a while for Liam, my closest friend from college. I was almost giving up hope when he texted me he was already at the bar. Liam finally walked in, shrugging off his jacket as he approached. He spotted me immediately, his expression shifting from happiness to that of concern as he took the seat beside me. “You look terrible, Julian. Are you okay at all?” He said, waving at the bartender to bring more drinks. I let out a slow breath. “I am not okay at all,” I confessed to him. He was someone I couldn't ever keep any secret from. If I wa
Julian’s POV. I stood outside the hospital with my phone in hand, staring at the number on the screen. Calling my parents wasn’t something I wanted to do, but they had to know so they could reach out to Kristina's parents. I couldn't bring myself to call them, never. It was something I had never done since I was forced to be in a relationship with Kristina under duress and more threats than my will. With a deep breath, I finally brought myself to press the call button. It didn’t take long before my mother picked up. “Julian, Where are you? What happened to you? I have been calling you but you never picked up. Where is Kristina? Have you seen her?” She questioned worriedly. I closed my eyes for a second, already dreading the conversation, not knowing how to break the news to her knowing it would startle her but I knew I had to. “Kristina got into an accident.” Silence followed on her own end for a second, she took a deep breath and voiced out. “What?” “She was drunk. She go
Clarence’s POV. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my blouse, but my hands felt heavy. Every movement required effort.The hospital had finally discharged me, but it wasn’t because I was fully healed. I had insisted on leaving. Staying there any longer, lying in that sterile bed with nothing but my own thoughts, would have driven me mad. There was no time to rest. Not when I had my first court hearing to attend. I had already contacted my mom’s lawyer, forwarding the court summons to him and he told me he was going to represent me as my lawyer making everything easier for me since the company involved him. After I finished dressing for work, I made my way to the office, pushing down the lingering aches in my body, anticipating to see Julian and thank him for coming to my aid and helping me to have bed rest at the hospital which has helped calm my worries. It also helped me catch Gina cheating, a card I would use against her anytime the need arose. I had bar
Clarence’s POV. I didn't wait for Officer Ray to say anything and rushed out when Mr Smith told me the court was going to begin in thirty minutes and I was late. When I arrived, the court hearing was about to begin and I met him waiting for me outside the courtroom. Together we headed into the courtroom and he offered me a seat. My stepmother and sister were yet to arrive, we had to wait for them. The judge had arrived and was patiently waiting for them too. I couldn't deny I was nervous, this was my first time in court and it wasn't with a stranger but with my family. My hands folded on my lap, my nails pressing into my palm to keep myself steady. There were so many things troubling me and this court hearing added to it. If only they would allow me to have what rightfully belonged to me but even after having everything and kicking out with the excuse of me going against the family tradition, she still wanted what was left of me. “Since both parties have arrived, can we proceed
CHAPTER 69 Julian’s POV. I was completely shocked and still reeling from the shock of the slap that had just landed on my face. Kristina’s father, Mr. Herdson stood before me without any form of remorse for what he had just done. “It’s all because you were never there when she went to find you!” he roared. “You were unreachable, and that’s why my daughter got so crazy. She turned to drink, and before she knew it, she hit someone. It was your fault,” he accused. Every word hit me like a wave. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as his anger mixed with a sort of twisted disappointment. I tried to steady my breathing, struggling to form a response that would both defend myself and release the pressure building inside. “I was never meant to be your daughter's puppet, I didn't ask her to drink before driving,” I finally managed with the same anger he had vented on me. “I can’t keep taking the blame for everything Kristina does. I’m tired of being blamed for her choices, even
Clarence’s POV. The shattering of glass by a waitress, who apologized profusely, jolted me back to reality. It was Christmas Eve, and I sat in a corner of the hall, watching my husband beam with pride as he greeted guests at his second company's launch. A dull ache bloomed in my chest like a bruise spreading its tender fingers. My heart felt heavy, weighed down by the memories that lingered in every corner of my mind as I recalled his cold behavior and the hurtful words he'd spoken the night before which was opposite to what he showed to everyone else. "I only married you for your family's influence," he had said. "The moment I get what I want, you're out of my life. Who wants a cripple for a wife? You can't even take control in bed. You're as good as dead." A tear slid down my cheek, which I quickly wiped away before anyone noticed. Gina, my step-sister, had always been his first choice - perfect, able-bodied, and everything I wasn't. But when he discovered she wouldn
Clarence’s POV. An hour later, I bit my lips in pain as I listened to the moans of my sister and husband coming from the secluded VIP bathroom in our estate. A domestic servant had helped me out of the house after finding me banging on the door of the living room. I begged them to bring me to this part of the estate, suspecting my husband was meeting my step-sister there and my suspicion turned out to be correct. The sound of his pleasure-filled cries brought back memories of my worst nights with him. He never touched me and was always repulsed by my disability. Instead, he'd masturbate, fearing that touching me would worsen the stiffness in my legs. "More, Damon, keep it coming, harder. Argh, I have missed you so much. What made me run away from you all these years? I love you," my sister Gina cried out in pleasure as their bodies continued to collide in a stronger rhythm - they weren't stopping anytime soon. "No one has made me feel the way you always do, Gina. I don't wa
Clarence’s POV. "Hello! Mrs. Ferdinand. Hello." I heard Dr. Mike said, which brought me back to my senses, and I picked up the phone to continue our conversation. "Is everything okay? You had immediately gone silent after I confirmed that Dr. Julian would be handling your case. Is everything okay? Don't you want him?" he asked, and I swallowed. "Yes, I don't. Is there no other doctor that can handle my surgery?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of how I would face the only man who had loved me dearly. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Ferdinand. There isn't.” He replied almost immediately. “It took a tough time getting to even access his schedule and beg for you to be fixed into it. He is a very busy man whose five-year schedule has all been already fixed.” “His agreement with going out of his way to squeeze you in was something unexpected and should be a blessing; you should be grateful," Dr. Mike let out, and my worry could only intensify. If only he understood what was going on
CHAPTER 69 Julian’s POV. I was completely shocked and still reeling from the shock of the slap that had just landed on my face. Kristina’s father, Mr. Herdson stood before me without any form of remorse for what he had just done. “It’s all because you were never there when she went to find you!” he roared. “You were unreachable, and that’s why my daughter got so crazy. She turned to drink, and before she knew it, she hit someone. It was your fault,” he accused. Every word hit me like a wave. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as his anger mixed with a sort of twisted disappointment. I tried to steady my breathing, struggling to form a response that would both defend myself and release the pressure building inside. “I was never meant to be your daughter's puppet, I didn't ask her to drink before driving,” I finally managed with the same anger he had vented on me. “I can’t keep taking the blame for everything Kristina does. I’m tired of being blamed for her choices, even
Clarence’s POV. I didn't wait for Officer Ray to say anything and rushed out when Mr Smith told me the court was going to begin in thirty minutes and I was late. When I arrived, the court hearing was about to begin and I met him waiting for me outside the courtroom. Together we headed into the courtroom and he offered me a seat. My stepmother and sister were yet to arrive, we had to wait for them. The judge had arrived and was patiently waiting for them too. I couldn't deny I was nervous, this was my first time in court and it wasn't with a stranger but with my family. My hands folded on my lap, my nails pressing into my palm to keep myself steady. There were so many things troubling me and this court hearing added to it. If only they would allow me to have what rightfully belonged to me but even after having everything and kicking out with the excuse of me going against the family tradition, she still wanted what was left of me. “Since both parties have arrived, can we proceed
Clarence’s POV. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my blouse, but my hands felt heavy. Every movement required effort.The hospital had finally discharged me, but it wasn’t because I was fully healed. I had insisted on leaving. Staying there any longer, lying in that sterile bed with nothing but my own thoughts, would have driven me mad. There was no time to rest. Not when I had my first court hearing to attend. I had already contacted my mom’s lawyer, forwarding the court summons to him and he told me he was going to represent me as my lawyer making everything easier for me since the company involved him. After I finished dressing for work, I made my way to the office, pushing down the lingering aches in my body, anticipating to see Julian and thank him for coming to my aid and helping me to have bed rest at the hospital which has helped calm my worries. It also helped me catch Gina cheating, a card I would use against her anytime the need arose. I had bar
Julian’s POV. I stood outside the hospital with my phone in hand, staring at the number on the screen. Calling my parents wasn’t something I wanted to do, but they had to know so they could reach out to Kristina's parents. I couldn't bring myself to call them, never. It was something I had never done since I was forced to be in a relationship with Kristina under duress and more threats than my will. With a deep breath, I finally brought myself to press the call button. It didn’t take long before my mother picked up. “Julian, Where are you? What happened to you? I have been calling you but you never picked up. Where is Kristina? Have you seen her?” She questioned worriedly. I closed my eyes for a second, already dreading the conversation, not knowing how to break the news to her knowing it would startle her but I knew I had to. “Kristina got into an accident.” Silence followed on her own end for a second, she took a deep breath and voiced out. “What?” “She was drunk. She go
Julian’s POV. I sat at the bar, staring at the glass in front of me, barely touching it. The dim lights cast long shadows across the counter, and the low murmurs of conversation blended with the soft clinking of glasses with the people around, drinking merrily as if they had never had any problem or need all their lives. It was late, my mother had been calling non-stop including Kristina but I didn’t feel like going home. I had been waiting for a while for Liam, my closest friend from college. I was almost giving up hope when he texted me he was already at the bar. Liam finally walked in, shrugging off his jacket as he approached. He spotted me immediately, his expression shifting from happiness to that of concern as he took the seat beside me. “You look terrible, Julian. Are you okay at all?” He said, waving at the bartender to bring more drinks. I let out a slow breath. “I am not okay at all,” I confessed to him. He was someone I couldn't ever keep any secret from. If I wa
Kristina’s POV I sat patiently on the couch as Julian’s mother walked back into the room. Julian had shown up after almost an hour of us waiting for him just to act like there was something wrong before he walked away refusing to acknowledge the presence of my parents as he used to make me know something was wrong. I had wanted to go after him but his mother asked me to stay back and went instead. It took her over thirty minutes to come back without Julian by her side. “Where is Julian?” I asked in my mind, being alert and fearing he had left or refused to show up knowing how my parents would react when they got to know he was avoiding them. Mrs Blackwood’s face was unreadable as she walked towards me, but something about the way she glanced at my parents before turning to me sent a shiver down my spine making me curious. “Kristina,” she said in a low voice, her tone carefully controlled like she didn't want my parents to hear us. “Come with me for a moment.” I swallowed ha
Julian’s POV. The air inside the house felt heavy, pressing down on my chest the moment I stepped in. The quiet hum of conversation at the dining table barely registered as I walked in, my steps slow and controlled—like I was holding something back. I wasn’t even sure why I had come back. Maybe out of habit. Maybe because part of me still hoped there was an explanation that would make this all make sense. But deep down, I knew there wasn’t. My gaze swept across the room, stopping on Kristina. She was seated next to my mother, her posture relaxed, and her expression composed. Not a single mark on her skin. No bruises. No signs of the pain she had claimed to be in. I clenched my jaw. The image in the photo flashed in my mind—the one my mother had sent; her face battered and her eyes swollen with tears. And yet, here she was, looking perfectly fine. A bitter taste coated my tongue. I had been manipulated again. Kristina noticed me as I joined them at the dining tab
Clarence’s POV. A dull pain spread through my body as I opened my eyes, the white ceiling above me coming into focus. The scent of antiseptic filled my nose, making it clear I was in the hospital. My body felt stiff and my arms sore, but it was when I tried to shift my legs that the real discomfort set in. I winced, stopping immediately. "You're awake," a calm voice said. I turned my head to see a doctor standing beside the bed, adjusting the IV line. He offered me a calm, professional smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Like I lost a fight I didn’t even know I was in," I muttered, shifting slightly. My arms throbbed, and my legs felt off, not as steady as they should. "What exactly happened to me?" The doctor glanced at the clipboard in his hand. "You sustained multiple bruises from the impact, mostly on your arms, but there was also an effect on your legs." I frowned, confused. "My legs?" He nodded. "Yes. The hit you took aggravated them, even though they were
Julian’s POV.Kristina’s hand was still in the air when I snapped out of my shock. Clarence was on the floor, struggling to push herself up, her expression frozen in stunned disbelief. The sight of her like that sent a sharp, burning rage through me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I didn’t care. I stepped forward, ready to pull Clarence up, but Kristina grabbed my arm. “Don’t touch her,” she snapped, her grip tightening around my arm. “She’s manipulating you, Julian. You can’t see it, but I can.” I pulled my arm free without hesitation, causing Kristina to stumble back. “Are you out of your mind?” I glared at her. “You think slapping her proves anything? That this makes me want to be with you?” “She’s ruining everything!” Kristina’s voice was high-pitched now, bordering on desperation. “You never used to be like this before she came into your life!” I ignored her and turned to Clarence, crouching down. “Are you alright?” S