After His Eyes Opened

"If you choose her today," I swallowed a sob. "I'll die, Atlas,"

My husband, Atlas Volkan froze at the door. He unhooked his arm from my sister's and marched forward.

My heart pounded in my chest as he approached me. The scent of his cologne invaded my nose like an addiction.

How do you love someone to the point of loathing yourself?

"I have always chosen her."His words were a stab in my chest, turning the dagger, he continued. "Today is her big day and if you love me, Don't ruin it."

He turned to leave and I blurted. "But you are my husband! We are married!"

"Enough, Julia!" Lovie snapped, glaring at me "Your marriage is a sham. Atlas loves me and you know this!"

"I have a bad feeling, Atlas. For once, please, let me come along. I'm scared Atlas."

Atlas' gaze rested on me, almost as if he was worried. However, the flicker in his eyes was gone as soon as Lovie spoke.

"Choose, Atlas. Her or me?" She asked. Like that, the fog cleared and he grabbed her wrist, leaving the house.

The sound of the keys inside the lock rang through the room. They left and they locked me inside.

I walked over to the closest window, watching as they drove out. My husband and my older sister ― the perfect affair.

My heart ached, my body trembled with sobs. This was my life and I hated it.

I prepared coffee to clear my mind and I had barely taken a sip when the banging came minutes later. I stumbled, wide-eyed as the door handle shook.

Someone... someone was trying to break in!

I bolted in the opposite direction, tripping over myself as the door fell off its hinges.

My heart pounded in my chest as we made eye contact. The man in front of me looked taller, stronger, and masked.

He reached for me but I scrambled to my feet.

I flailed my hands and kicked my feet, barely able to hear anything over the sound of my heart banging on the walls of my chest.

I froze as something grazed my skin, pain shooting through my torso. My hands dug into my jean pockets and I speed dialed Atlas.

He was the only contact I had. The only one I trusted.

He didn't pick up.

I kicked the man between his legs and raced up the stairs. I struggled to breathe as I continued calling Atlas.

Pick up. Pick up! Pick―

An inhuman screech escaped my lips as he tugged on my hair, pulling me. My back collided with the wall and I came face to face with his masked face.

Before I could process anything, his hands found their way to my neck ― squeezing life out of me.

My eyes threatened to pop from their sockets as I gasped for air, tears crawling down my cheek.

Why was he trying to kill me?

In my life, I sacrificed everything for everyone. I did everything to be loved ― wanted, to be seen.

But nothing worked and now, I was dying.

I was going to be killed by a stranger in my own home. All the while my husband of three years was at my fashion show, parading with his lover, while I died, alone – Bleeding and gasping for air.

Was this the reward for being a good person?

I spat in his face and he let out a disgusted grumble. I took the chance to enter my room and lock the door.

I panted but continued calling Atlas. My knees threatened to buckle as I registered the number of times I had called.

Fifty-seven.

My hands trembled as I glanced at the door ― threatening to pop off its hinges. Loud banging followed.

He was going to break that door soon, and Atlas hadn't answered.

I called one last time, my heart in my mouth.

A sob escaped my lips as his voice rang through.

"Atlas!"

"What is wrong with you, Julia? Why are you determined to make your sister unhappy?"

"Someone is trying to kill me, Atlas!" I cried, my grip on the phone tightening. "They are about to break into the room, At―"

"You will do anything to get my attention, won't you?"

"Just shut up and listen for once, Atlas. A man wants to kill your wife! Is Lovie the only one you care abou―"

The door broke down and a sob escaped my lips as the man stepped forward, a sadistic grin on his face.

"Why are you running away?" he whispered, "I am setting you free, Julia."

I stumbled, my heart falling into my stomach as I reached for my torso. "Stay away! Stay away!" I threw all the objects in the room at him, begging for him to leave.

He didn't budge.

"This marriage is a prison and the price for freedom is your life," He said and tears clouded my vision. I shook my head, a lump growing in my throat.

My back hit the wall and my knees buckled as I registered blood on my hands. The adrenaline washed off as Atlas' voice reached me again.

"Yes, Lovie. That dress looks amazing on you."

"I called Sylvia and she assured me everything was fine. Was Julia lying again?" Lovie's sickeningly sweet voice followed.

My grip on the phone finally loosened, my life slipping from my grasp

A tear rolled down my cheek and my breath hitched as the fight for my life ― died.

The man lunged at me, his hands finding my neck and squeezing, I didn't call Atlas.

I couldn't.

All my life... I had to prove myself, to fight for my place...

Why did I think it would be different with Atlas Volkan? In the end, he only saw me as his brother's murderer.

His priorities and love lay with Lovie, the one he was supposed to marry. I was a mistake he could not avoid.

The night before the wedding, I was kidnapped but I escaped into his mansion, hiding in the first room I saw, drugged and barely alive.

Atlas was in that room.

So, when we woke up to cameras and whispers ― Everything changed.

Rumors spread and I was forced to marry Atlas Volkan to avoid a scandal. Despite the bitterness between us, I did nothing but love Atlas Volkan.

I was the perfect wife and he was the nonexistent husband, the one who followed my sister's skirt and never found his way back.

As the man's grip on my neck tightened, a tear rolled down my cheek and life left me, slowly.

I sacrificed everything to earn his love and the one time I needed him ― Atlas Volkan was nowhere to be found.

A final gasp escaped my lips and my eyes widened, my body jerking as I died a slow, cruel death.

At that moment, My blood boiled.

I begged for a second chance. If I had a second chance, I would not be my mother's obedient daughter, my sister's slave, and most definitely not Atlas' Volkan's submissive wife.

My eyes snapped open, and I frowned, realizing in shock that I was in my room, and the door was intact. Did I not get strangled moments ago? Or, was I dreaming? No. It couldn't be.

Don't tell me ― I have been reborn. I get to live again. The heavens heard my plea. I couldn't explain the thrill that filled my being.

However as quick and loud banging sounds on the door tore through the room, my eyes widened.

History was about to repeat itself, but I would be darned if I let it happen.