Chapter 013 " You barely got a wink of sleep last night . I finished all the transactions so You " It's dawn , Greta , " I informed her , sipping my coffee . " You are so shameless , sipping coffee like you own the place ? " need to rest . " +25 BONUS . worked on Both of us turned to see Lovie standing at the door . The entire room was littered with fabrics and some dresses Iv " Greta , fold the dresses into a box , " I said , " Lovie , I am not in the mood- " " I won't let you do it . " I froze at her words , my chest tightening . " I won't let you take Atlas like you took Dad from me . " How could she bring that up now ? n . My heart skipped a bit as the past flashed before my eyes . I turned to leave but she caught my arm . My After so many years , Lovie was blaming me for Papa's death . She knew how his death broke me. I blamed myself for years , no therapy was able undo what that night did . I knew she could stoop low , but this ? This was disgusting Tve already made my first move . " She continued . ' Before today ends , you will be shattered . " " Stop this , just stop , Lovie . Aren't you sick of playing these games ? " " You have no idea what's coming Julia but spat , ignoring my words . can assure you , being the Silver designer will be the least of your concerns . " She My lists tightened at my sides . " Do whatever you want . You are not the only one who lost . He was my father too- " No , he wasn't ! You were freaking adopted ! You were the jinx he died saving . You wanted to drive that darned car ! You killed him . I hate you , Julia , and I will make sure you are never happy ! " I stumbled , losing balance as she brushed past me , stopping a few feet from me . " The challenge is a few hours . If you have any decency , stop being selfish . Refute all your claims and maybe , I'll rethink my decision " I scoffed . Selfish ? I am not giving you my life's work . " No. I wasn't selfish . I spent the past twenty years repaying the Knight family . I shared everything with Lovie . I stayed in the shadows for all my life so she could be happy . In this new life , I couldn't I removed her hand from my wrist and started walking away . " If you want , we could go back in , you have to rest , Julia , " Greta said , following me. " No , " I shook my head at Greta . " I have a challenge to attend . I made a promise and I never go back on my word . I am done being trapped in my past . " Greta stepped in front of me and smiled . " Good I'll call the cab- " " Cab ? I raised an eyebrow . " Grets there are multiple cars in this estate and before you panic , " I pulled out a key . Tll drive . " The drive to the Challenge Hall took less than an hour . My hands were numb from working . We barely had enough time to get materials delivered and start designing . Greta loaded the dresses into the car and I could not wait to showcase them at the Hall I pulled up in front of the building and we walked inside , stealing everyone's attention . Atlas froze as he saw me . " You came , " Atlas scoffed . Something was wrong . I couldn't place my fingers on it . Whether it was the way he looked at me , how his knuckles turned white or the breaths escaping his lips . Atlas looked livid and for some reason , it was directed at me . How could he flip switches whenever he wished ? One moment he was all cherry and now , this ? I made a promise , remember ? You also made a promise to me and I'll do anything to get what I want . " Atlas clasped his hands and glanced behind me before grinning . " You have no limits , do you ? You'll do anything to get what you want . Well , I have also made arrangements to get what I want " Our eyes locked and for a moment it seemed like we weren't talking about dresses . Atlas stepped forward , the sparkle in his eyes gone , replaced with a hollow shell . I always get what I want . The dresses are here . " My gaze shifted to several collections from other companies which had already been exhibited . A designer red dress caught my attention as Atlas brought in his box of Wait . Isn't that my box of dresses ? " What is the meaning of this ? " I spat , stopping the handymen who were carrying it in The hall unraveled into pin - drop silence and everyone turned to look at us . " Those are my dresses . " I continued , glaring daggers into his skin . " I designed them that too , last night ! " " No , Julia . " Atlas straightened up as my stomach twisted into knots . Those dresses have been at the company for months . Besides , how can anyone make fifteen dresses in one night ? " He sneered My blood boiled but all the pieces slowly fell into place as I struggled to breathe . Atlas fooled - used me to create fifteen pieces for the exhibit . I was manipulated ! I marched outside , seeing a pool with the rest of the guests relaxing and other companies showcasing their beach wear and dresses . My heart twisted in my chest at the betrayal , I thought I was playing him but he- Atlas was using me . Why did it hurt so- much and why didn't I see through it ? " You lost , Julia . " I turned to see Lovie walking toward me , tears blinding my vision . " You lost before you even left the house . I warned you . I told you that I had done something so big , nothing could fix it . " She leaned to whisper . " This is just the beginning . " A sob bubbled in my throat . I felt like a fool . Like an idiot because I was falling again - I thought there was something , maybe some hope left . I thought if I dug deep enough , I would find the Atlas I loved But , Atlas was using me . Had he ever not used me ? Was everything a game ? A ploy ? Was it just this annual challenge or had be been doing this all along ? " What did you do ? " I asked and she smiled . " What needed to be done . I mean , what man follows his brother's murder like a puppy ? You killed my father , his brother and I couldn't sit back and watch you kill him too- ah " Lovie shrieked as my palm collided with her cheek . Her nose flared and a shriek escaped my lips as she pushed me into the pool . I pulled her along and gasped , struggling to swim . I flailed my hands as Lovie cried . Atlas raced out and I watched him jump into the fool and pull her out …. While I drowned Lovic could swim . I couldn't . A sob finally escaped my lips . " Atlas ! " I cried , struggling to keep my head afloat . " Atlas , please help He stepped forward as I tried to pull myself out of the pool , gripping the silver stand . I sighed in relief as he approached me He was finally going to help me . But I watched , frozen as Atlas grabbed my hand and removed it from the stand , pushing me in My heart broke into a million pieces as he let me go let me fall - let me die all over again . Even in this life ?