2

Mrs Atlas, an elderly, beautiful, and vibrant lady, was preparing for the night when the maid, Gracia rushed into the living room; her eyes widened with so much horror.

" Ma'am... Jully is outside... Crying "

At these words, Salina chuckled.

" You must be mistaken. My daughter is obviously with her husband. It's late. Why will she even be here? "

Her question didn't last for minutes before the door opened, and Julian walked into the living room with her traveller's and duffel bags as well.

She stops at last in the middle of the well-furnished room to stare at her mother. Her eyes teary. Silence fell. Words couldn't be spoken. One can tell from her pale lips and face that she had gone through a lot that night alone.

Mrs Atlas was shaken and stunned at her daughter's state. However, she didn't speak or ask questions. Instead, she spread open her arms for her only child to come in.

Julian forgot her adulthood at that moment to hug her mother. Tears streaming down her eyes. Her heart was already broken.

The two stayed in one another arms for a long time until, at last, Salina pulled back to stare at her daughter.

" What has happened? What... Did Asher come too? " She asked while looking around, but Julian shook her head in the negative.

" He didn't come "

" What? Don't tell me he let you make the three hours journey from his house to this place, did he ? "

In response to this question was a sorrowful look on Julian's face.

" I'm so tired mother. I ... I can't cope anymore with him "

" What? Julian, you can't say something like that. You are both bound by vows and love. Isn't Asher the one you have loved since childhood? He is your first love "

" But not anymore " She suddenly cut in firmly. " Not after he said those words to me. He ... He wanted a divorce "

Mrs Atlas heard this and she staggered backwards in shock. Without knowing she flop on the couch, completely dazed. The maid who was there also gasped in awe. Who would have believed this?

" You didn't sign the papers, did you? " Mr Atlas's voice unexpectedly came through from the upper floor, commanding perfect decorum in the living room.

Julian sucked on her breath before looking up to her father, who was now descending the stairs to meet her.

He is an elderly man with grey hair and a heavy moustache. One of the most ruthless politicians. Julian held her cool, knowing fully well how much her father hated the news about her and her husband having differences.

" I asked you a question, young woman. Did you sign the divorce papers or not? " Her father asked again; this time, his voice was firmer than the first.

" Dad, Asher has been cheating on me. He told me himself tonight and then he gave me the divorce papers to sign "

" Did you sign? "

" Are you even listening to me, Dad? "

" Why will I listen to you when you haven't answered my question? Did you sign the divorce papers or not? "

" I did " She swallowed hard after responding. Tears clouding her eyes again. " He said I should go to hell. What else will you have me do in that situation? He has been cheating for months, Dad. He told me himself "

" There must have been something you did to piss him off. What was it? "

Julian's jaw nearly dropped when she heard this question. She wishes she could lash out, but she dares not. Frustratedly, she swallowed hard and then mutters.

" I ... I came home late and ... and Donny called "

This time, it was Salina who gave a low groan. Even their maid, Lara knows how much Asher is possessive.

" For goodness sake. Can't I have one Friend? Asher Knows Donny and I are best friends. This isn't the reason why he gave me the divorce papers, Dad. He has it ready when I arrive home tonight "

Silence fell again this time. Everyone awaiting Mr Atlas's verdict. Even his wife expected much for him this time.

" I will talk to him. Julian, you should go back to your husband's house. I will call my chauffeur to drive you "

Upon hearing these words, Julian takes a step back in awe.

" What? " She turns to her mother for support, but the woman dares not defy her husband. " I can't go to him anymore. The love I have for him has withered away. The mistress did me a favour. He made me realize Asher is nothing but an animal. He is not human. I will never go to his house. Ever again "

" So what will happen to the baby inside of you? Will you allow the poor unborn child to suffer just because of your hatred for your husband? " Her Father questioned, and this time, Julian looked away to wipe her tears angrily.

" Dad you obviously do not know what I passed through in his hands. He hated me. Right from the night of our wedding day. We barely made love. Out of our one year of marriage, Asher only laid with me Thrice. Just three times and that was when either of us was drunk. I am fed up. He never physically touched me, and ... he failed as a husband and now as a father. He has no right to my baby. It's mine alone. I will take care of it myself "

" I doubt that " Mr Atlas mutters while shaking his head. " You were the one who jumped right into his life as his wife without proper courtship. You should go back now to your husband. Did you even tell him about the pregnancy? "

Her mother wanted an answer this time, too. Julian bowed her head to think of a better reply. She is still overwhelmed by his last words to her which had been the end of the line.

" I can't believe you both are asking me this. Asher didn't give me any time, any chance to tell him the good news. He's a jealous freak. I am terrified of him. He has ... instilled a deep, rotten fear into me. He said I should go to hell with whatever news I wanted to tell him. Surely, Father, you wouldn't advise me to go back to a man like that, would you? "

A sigh fell off Mr Atlas's lips at this. He could see Asher did gravely wrong now.

" I will make him apologize, Julian. He did wrong but that was because he didn't know. You should go back to him and I will ... "

" I'm never going back to him. Father. I'd rather live in a slum than live with Asher Atticus in the same house as his wife "

" Then I'd rather disown you as my daughter than watch you live as a divorcee " Mr Atlas responded. His words are so powerful that they hold so many meanings. His wife, who couldn't keep quiet anymore, quickly made it to her feet.

" Honey, why don't you calm down? You know she is pregnant " She turned to her daughter as well. " Will you do something, Julian? Don't just stand there "

The daughter of Atlas had so much respect for her father. She had loved him all her life despite his Extra strict care for her. Even when he took Asher's side every single time, she wouldn't object. Why? Because She felt there was a price to pay for being the only daughter of the state senator.

" This time too... Will you take his side? " Julian finally asked tiredly. " This time, Dad. Will you turn deaf ears to your only daughter's cry and take the side of your friend's son? Is that it father? "

No answer came from Mr Atlas. He had said his pieces. Now it's left for her to make the decision. Julian stared at her father for a long time, and after seeing he wouldn't take back his statement, she gulped down and retorted.

" Then let's cut the ties here and now. Goodbye father "

Julian took nothing away from her father's house. Not even her cell phone. She walks out to the night, hailing down a taxi as she aims to disappear forever.

Behind her, she could hear the loud call from her mother, who was now panicking, but she turned deaf ears as she got into the taxi and rode off.