chapter 15

Julia tried to push away Lucas, who was hugging her.

"Let me go, release me!" she shouted, trying to break free from Lucas's embrace.

She didn't want to be in contact with the man again, but they touched once more, greatly angering Julia.

With all her might, Julia pushed Lucas's body, and eventually, the tall, sturdy man's body was released, but they didn't move apart from each other.

Angry, Julia glared at Lucas.

"I don't want you to touch me, I don't like it!" Julia shouted openly with explosive anger.

Lucas felt hurt hearing Julia's outburst, not liking his touch.

He sighed, remembering how rough he had been when he touched Julia. For Julia, touching a man was unpleasant.

He would make amends for all the mistakes he had made; now, he wanted to address something important to Julia.

"Fine, I won't touch you without your permission. Now, will you talk to me?" Lucas asked Julia again.

"Talk here!" Julia said, turning her face away. Lucas sighed again.

"Son, would you like to go and explore our house for a bit?" Lucas asked gently to Harry, ruffling his son's head.

"Yes, I do. Take it slow in talking to Mom, don't be too harsh. Mom is too sensitive; she might not forgive you!" Harry advised Lucas.

"All right, son. I will listen to what you say!" Lucas responded obediently.

"Let him stay here; we'll talk over there!" Julia didn't want Harry to leave the room, pointing her finger to a corner where they could talk.

It seemed like that corner could be a place for them to talk without Harry overhearing.

"Okay!" Lucas finally relented.

He walked to the corner Julia had indicated and stood there, waiting for Julia to come.

Now they faced each other, even though Julia tilted her head up to look at Lucas's face.

"Come on, speak!" Julia said sternly.

"Let's get married!" Lucas said calmly.

For a moment, Julia fell silent upon hearing Lucas's words; her eyes widened as she stared at Lucas without blinking.

"What did you say?" Julia asked, as if she misheard.

"It's for Harry. We have to get married. I have to take responsibility!" Lucas said confidently.

Julia was speechless.

"I won't touch you without your permission. If you don't like being close to me, we can sleep in separate rooms, and you can do as you please, but never leave again!" Lucas explained, trying to make Julia feel comfortable. He arranged separate rooms for the two of them.

He would slowly approach Julia because he knew the trauma she must have from the assault he had committed.

Julia still remained silent, not giving any response, her mind suddenly blank.

"Let's go and sign the marriage certificate, and from now on, let's live in this house!" Lucas suggested.

Julia remained silent, her mind processing everything.

"Okay! Harry needs his father. This is all for Harry, this man wants to take responsibility, and he should be held accountable for his actions!" Julia thought, pondering over Lucas's recent words.

"After we sign the marriage certificate, I will take you to meet my parents. I will introduce you to them!"

Julia remained silent, neither answering nor objecting to Lucas's words.

Indeed, they had to get married to ensure Harry's future and to prevent him from being seen as illegitimate. Reluctantly, Julia followed Lucas to register their marriage at the civil registry office.

Just as she had returned to her hometown, Julia had become Lucas's wife.

And now, she was under the same roof as him.