After His Eyes Opened

"Julia!" Mother fumed, her eyes pinning me with a glare. "How dare you come here?"

Lovie broke into a sob. "Mummy, why is she doing this? Why is Julia trying to ruin my life? She's always hurting me!"

"Stop pretending to be—"

"Enough, Julia!" Mother spat. "I thought you mended your ways. What did you say? You gave her rights to these designs. You said you were atoning for your mistake—"

"Why should I atone for something I did not do?"

Mother huffed. "Did not do?" she repeated, "You slept with your sister's fiancé and married him. His brother was driven to commit suicide because of your shameless act!" she grabbed my arm. "For the past six years, they have suffered! How can you stand here and act like a victim?"

"Look Mother, I am not here to dig up the past. I am here to discuss the present reality." I shifted my gaze to Lovie. "I am the real designer of all VK designs and I want my rights and recognition"

"All of a sudden?" Atlas growled.

I turned to see him raising an eyebrow. "Just a few hours ago, you were begging to come here. You told me you would behave and not disrupt the ceremony. Yet... you arrived and you're saying this? Disgusting!"

"What exactly do you want Julia? You want to humiliate me in front of everybody?" Lovie broke into a sob and hid in Atlas' arms.

"Can you see how much you are hurting her?" Mother spat. "Your sister is in pain!"

"What about me? What about all the pain and hard work I have put in? I shared my husband for six years. Now, she can have him, I want everything else.”

I marched over to the banners and decorations and tore them down.

"Oh no! Does this mean the rumor is true?"

"The true designer for VK designs is Julia Volkan and not Lovie Knight?"

"What did she mean by sharing her husband? What is going on?"

The reporters asked, their eyes wide and hungry for information.

"Yes, I designed everything myself, and if she insists that she did it, fine," I said and Lovie smiled, relaxing.

I reached for a sketchbook and pen, throwing it at Lovie. "Prove it and I will do the same, sketch a design!"

The room fell silent as Lovie's eyes widened. "W-what?!" She blurted. "Why should I do that? Everyone knows—"

"If she is the real designer, why would she have any problem sketching a design?

"Does this mean that she is a fake—"

"No, no. no! I am not a fake, I—" she stumbled over her words, flustered. "Why should I prove anything to her? This is my launch, why are you stealing it, Julia?"

"Sketch. If you don't draw today, everyone will know I am telling the truth. Draw!"

Lovie glanced around and picked up the paper and pencil, her hands shaking. She was about to start drawing when Atlas caught her wrist.

"Enough." He growled, throwing it away. "Lovie doesn't have to prove anything, especially not to you." He informed me. "You better watch your tone —"

"Or what?"

"Julia, you are crossing the line. You are damaging our reputation" Atlas spat and grabbed my arm, he tried to pull me out but I didn't budge.

"Hubby," I closed the distance between us, "You are sleeping with my sister, what bigger scandal can there be than that?"

"What! The CEO of Volkan Industries, Atlas Volkan is sleeping with his wife's sister?!"

I watched as Atlas' chest rose and fell with fury. He grabbed my wrist and forcefully dragged me away from the press, I fought against him till my back hit a wall.

Our eyes locked, breaths tingling. "This is what you wanted, right? To look pitiful? To destroy my image? To hurt your sister?" He snarled. "She is the only reason you are not in prison for killing my brother and still —"

"Your brother committed suicide. I didn't kill him. Someone drugged me and —"

"Again with that sick story! No one drugged you! You slid into my bed and I had to marry you!" Atlas' jaw tightened.

"I never forced you! However, I may have to force you for my rights." My breath hitched as he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"What rights?" He snickered. "You think you'll walk in here, create a scene and we will accept it? Who do you think you are, Julia? It is your word, against the three of us. You are outnumbered.”

"Really? Why can't you stand in front of the press and say this? Why are you whispering?"

"Let it be, Atlas. I forgive her, she's just stressed." Lovie murmured and we turned to her.

"She—" She took a step forward and collapsed to the ground.

"Lovie!" Atlas crouched down beside her, glaring at me. "Can you see what you have caused? Julia, you are —"

"No, please, no." Lovie cried, hiding in his chest. "There is no point, my life is a joke." She sobbed and I rolled my eyes.

"Look at what you have done to your sister, shameless!" Mother rebuked.

"Get out, Julia. Leave now!" Atlas growled, his eyes darkening.

"I am not going anywhere till we return to the stage and you announce the truth."

Atlas stood, daring me to continue as he stepped forward. "And what is the truth?"

"The truth is that I am the owner of those designs. I designed those dresses and Lovie has taken the credit for years, why?" I tightened my fists at my sides, my stomach churning.

"You are the one who allowed this in the past. You said you wanted to make amends, and now..." He scoffed. "You are showing your true colors!"

"Back then, I had the wrong impression." I thought if I gave everything I had, he would love me and they would accept me.

However, despite taking everything — Lovie plotted to kill me.

"Now, my eyes have opened."

Atlas rolled his eyes and I frowned. "I think you are too late. No matter what you say or do, no one will believe you."

"Are you challenging me?" I retorted.

"No, I am stating facts. No one can ever believe you. Legally, those are Lovie's designs." I frowned and it deepened as Atlas pulled out his phone and showed me an e-document.

My face paled and my chest tightened. It felt like a rug had been pulled underneath me

"Your designs, your life. Everything belongs to me, Julia. Do you understand?"

"This… this is fake!" My knees threatened to buckle as I stared at the document.

The camera flashes tore through the moment, grounding me. I could barely hear their murmurs over the sound of my heartbeat.

The document in front of me stated that Lovie had copyright over my designs. My signature was boldly drawn there.

How?

"What did you say?" Atlas taunted. "These were your designs? You created them... Lies!" He boomed and turned to the reporters.

My heart raced. They followed us here. Mother helped Lovie stand, while she clung to her.

"This is the real proof," Atlas showed them his phone and I shook my head.

"No, I don't remember signing anything."

"Of course, you don't." He informed me, "You remember everything except the truth — how convenient."

"He's lying. These are my designs, why would I sell them off?" I almost sobbed as my heart twisted in my chest.

A tear dared to roll down my cheek and Atlas tightened his fist, looking away.

"What are those tears for? Another attempt at forced sympathy?"

Three years.

I stayed with this man for three years and he didn't bat an eye before betraying me.

He left me to die and now, this.

My stomach churned as the reporters glared at me.

"This is disgusting! She crashed her sister's runway to humiliate her!"

"I can't believe I was siding with her! Horrible!"

"Atlas? I am feeling dizzy." Lovie whispered and Atlas lifted her but he kept his gaze on me.

"Mrs. Volkan, why did you do this?"

"Yes! Why did you stoop so low?"

"Maybe this is why he is cheating! She is not a good woman!"

“Enough!” I snapped, my heart breaking as I glared at Atlas. “I am sick of this drama. Let us settle this once and for all. I insist that those documents are fake and I am ready to repeat that in any court, and add that I was either forced to sign it under duress or it is forged.”

Atlas frowned, narrowing his eyes at me. “You would dare go against me?”

“Hubby, look around. I was never with you, to begin with. I have never been a part of your life. So, from what bond do you demand loyalty?”

Our eyes locked and his lips twitched, almost as if he wanted to say something but no sound came.

“In addition, I am launching a new collection in three days and Lovie should launch another collection, it is one thing to be the designer in name and another thing to be the CEO of VK Industries. If I can prove that I am a better designer, I want that seat and not just that, I want my twenty percent back.” I declared to the press and Atlas.

“Yes, yes. Mrs. Volkan has a point. It has to be a fair fight.”

“She can’t be this bold while lying.”

“Yes, Mr. Volkan cannot reject a fair compromise, right?”

I turned to Atlas, “Deal?”

Our eyes locked. “And if you fail?”

I stepped forward. “I will publicly apologize to Lovie and —”

“You will sign a Non disclosure contract and completely license all future works to Lovie. Deal?”

My heart dropped. He… he wanted me to give her everything? All my rights and designs?

“What, Julia? Are you having cold feet?”