Chapter 3

• When they reached the car, Patrick opened the door for her.
• “Careful,” he said quietly.
• Julie nodded and got in.
• The drive was quiet.
• Julie sat quietly, her hands resting on her lap. She kept her fingers locked together, as if letting go would make everything fall apart again.
• She stared out of the window.
• The city looked normal, cars were moving, people were walking, life was going on like nothing had happened.
• But for her, everything was changed.
• Her chest tightened, she turned slightly and looked at Patrick.
• He was focused on the road, his face was calm, but his grip on the steering wheel was tight.
• “Patrick…” she called softly.
• He glanced at her. “Yes?”
• She hesitated, then shook her head. “Nothing.”
• He did not push her, he knew Julie well enough to understand that pushing her right now would only make things worse.
• When they finally arrived, Julie looked up at her house.
• Patrick parked the car but did not turn off the engine immediately.
• He looked at her. “Are you sure you want to go inside?” he asked.
• Julie forced a small smile. “I don’t have anywhere else to go,” she replied. That was her own home, the only place she felt at home.
• Patrick looked into her eyes for a moment.
• Then he nodded and turned off the engine.
• “I’ll walk you in.”
• She wanted to say no, she did not want him to see how she lived. But she was too tired to argue.
• “Okay,” she replied.
• They both stepped out of the car.
• Julie’s steps slowed as they approached the door, she opened it and welcomed him inside.
• “I just want to sleep,” Julie whispered, the moment the door closed.
• “Of course,” he said. “No one will bother you.”
• Julie nodded. “Thank you,” she murmured.
• Patrick hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. He gently lifted her chin so she could look at him.
• “Look at me,” he said.
• She did. Her eyes were still filled with tears, but she held them back this time.
• “You will always be my little princess,” he said quietly, his voice was steady but full of meaning. “And in my eyes, you are the best woman I know. You’re kind and strong… even when life hasn’t been fair to you.”
• Her lips trembled.
• “So get some rest,” he added. “You need it.”
• Julie nodded again.
• This time, when she lay down, her body didn’t resist.
• The moment her eyes closed, everything came rushing back, from waking up to a stranger, Helena’s shouting, the flash of cameras, her father standing there, saying nothing. And Sam…
• She shut her eyes tightly like she didn’t want to remember him.
• Julie woke up with a sharp scream, her body was covered in sweat, her chest rising and falling quickly as she tried to breathe. Her hand moved to her chest as if to calm her racing heart.
• “It was just a dream,” she whispered to herself. “Just a dream…”
• She looked around the room, trying to remind herself where she was.
• Slowly, her breathing eased, her eyes moved to the wall clock.
• It was seven in the evening.
• “I slept this long…” she muttered.
• She forced herself out of bed. She knew she couldn’t lie there all day.
• …..
• Julie made her way downstairs, the house was quiet.
• When she reached the kitchen, something caught her attention. It was a note on the fridge.
• She walked closer and read it.
• “I prepared dinner for you. Eat when you wake up. I didn’t want to disturb you. You needed rest.”
• Patrick.
• She smiled a little, and for a moment, the pain eased.
• “At least… I still have someone,” she whispered.
• She found the food and served herself a small portion. She didn’t feel hungry, but she knew she had to eat.
• Each bite felt like a task, but she didn’t stop until the plate was empty.
• After cleaning up, she returned to her room.
• Her body was tired again, but her mind refused to rest.
• Just as she closed her eyes, a sudden knock echoed through the house.
• Julie froze, her heart began racing again.
• “Who could that be?” she wondered.
• She sat up slowly, listening.
• The knock continued, this time louder.
• She got out of her bed, her steps cautious as she walked toward the door. Her mind tried to convince her it was Patrick. Maybe he had forgotten something.
• That thought gave her just enough courage to opened the door.
• The moment it swung open, a sharp slap landed across her face.
• The force made her stumble back, and she felt the pain instantly.
• She looked up, shocked. “Why was that for?” she asked, her voice getting cold despite the fear inside her.
• Celine Salvador stood there, her face full of rage. “For pushing my daughter!” she shouted. “She’s in a coma because of you!”
• Julie’s eyes widened. “Coma?” she replied. “I didn’t…”
• “I will make sure you pay for this,” Celine cut her off, her voice filled with anger. “You will be arrested for attempted murder. And I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison.”
• Before Julie could react, Celine pushed her hard.
• She lost her balance and fell backward, her head hitting the edge of the couch.
• Pain shot through her body and everything went blurry for a second.