Chapter 1

• " Congratulations, Mrs Atticus. You are pregnant "
• Immediately after this news from the Doctor was heard, Julian, who sat across from the doctor, felt her heart sink. She wonders if she has heard him right.
• " How ... How do you mean, doctor? I ... I have only come for a check-up on why I have been weak lately "
• " Exactly ", The doctor responded with a wide, pleasant grin. " The results of the check-up have been out, and it says you are five weeks pregnant. Take a look at it yourself. Come on "
• Julian Atticus sat still for what seemed like an eternity without moving. Her shivering fingers and racing heart wouldn't allow her to comply with the doctor's words just yet.
• In the moment of silence, her mind drifted off to her husband only for the mere thought of him to make her almost whimper.
• She looked up slowly to the doctor and accepted the paper results, which she read through. As a professional health consultant, she knows better than anyone what she feels. But the fear of confirming her doubts had made her visit a faraway hospital.
• Tears blurred Julian's vision when she saw the results. Truly, her husband had impregnated her.
• Asher Atticus. The best scientist, a skilful researcher and a professional Doctor. This had earned him the nickname' Triple Threat genius '. In the field of medicine, he is unrivalled.
• With his skills, he helped uncountable patients to cure rare diseases, gave hope to those who were dying and granted generosity to other poor patients who couldn't foot their hospital bills. He is generous, he is hardworking, but that is exactly where his good behaviour all ends.
• As a son, he has failed woefully. He hated his parents more than anything. The reason behind it remains a mystery to everyone. He had barely agreed for them to attend his wedding, all thanks to his wife's pleas.
• As the CEO of his facility, he is infamously known as the cold and Cruel boss.
• All his workers know his rules and regulations. Whoever failed to abide by it got fired with immediate effect. Physical touch with the CEO is a big no. Listening to a slow melody in the facility is like a taboo. Vanilla scent and lastly brown furniture is forbidden.
• All this weird Do's and Don't's of Asher had set him apart from every regular man and had made him the most distant husband ever.
• Julian had barely survived a year of marriage with him just out of patient, and the pure love she has for him.
• As she sat in the office, she wondered what he would say concerning her pregnancy.
• " Julian? " The doctor's voice suddenly pulled her back to reality, and she looked up at him to see he had raised an eyebrow in confusion.
• " Yes? "
• " You are ... Crying "
• " Oh... I was ... " She quickly cleared her throat and then tried another smile. " I'm just so surprised and happy at the same time. It's just... Overwhelming "
• " I understand how you feel. Especially since this will be your first time as a mother "
• " Yes, doctor. Uhm... Thank you so much. I have to be on my way now "
• " Alright. Of course "
• After exchanging pleasantries, Julian picked up her bag and headed towards the exit. In the long, tidy hall of the hospital, she pulled out her cell phone to give her mother a call.
• Mrs Atlas, Salina didn't take long before answering her call. The sound of cutleries clattering could be heard in the background. With this, Julian knows she's at her restaurant.
• " Hi Mom "
• " Julian. How are you? "
• " I got news for you Mother and ... I need your help "
• Julian heard the short pause from her mother's end before a complete silence followed.
• " Are you okay, honey? " Her mother's voice came later, laced with concern.
• " Yes, Mom. I'm fine. I just... I just found out from the doctor that I am pregnant and ... and I do not know how to inform my husband "
• Another long pause.
• " What? " The question finally came. " You are ... What? "
• " I'm carrying Asher's baby and ... "
• " Oh my God. That is great news. Have you informed your husband? "
• Julian swallowed hard at this question before stopping beside a window to stare out.
• " Not yet. I ... I don't know how to tell him, Mom. You know how Asher is "
• " How? Oh, come on. He is your husband. What are you scared of? "
• " He ... He did it when he was drunk. I'm worried he might... "
• " Calm down, Julian. Talk to your husband. Everything will be fine. I'm so happy for you honey. Now I have to go. I got to tell your father about this news. Goodbye "
• " Bye mom "
• Julian disconnected to heave a sigh and then she headed towards her car. The journey from the hospital to Ashju's mansion is an hour's journey, and she had picked the certain hospital which is so far away so she won't be recognized, but her plan has already failed. The doctor who attended to her knows her husband so well.
• It took a long time before Julian got home. Traffic on the way was distressing. At last, she pulled into the Ashju mansion and alight.
• In the garage, her husband's car is already parked which means he is at home.
• Julian swallowed hard when she saw this. Hurriedly, she checked her wristwatch to see it was almost seven pm.
• The living room is tidy as always with no one in sight. Asher had never employed a maid, thanks to his preferences, and Julian had to abide by his rules.
• She quickly headed towards the bedroom in the hope of avoiding any confrontation at that moment, but then the movement came from behind her, compelling her to a stop.
• Slowly, she turns around, her heart racing to see her husband standing just at the counter where a file lay, staring back at her.
• That night, Asher still wore his crisp white shirt and trousers. A fine, gorgeous man with long wavy hair, his grey intense eyes stared at his wife.
• Gently, he set his jaw, making the sharp lines of his face even more defined, and Julian involuntary stepped back, her heart racing in response to his formidable presence.
• " Where are you coming from? " That was his first question which was asked with that same low and husky voice.
• " Uh ... I ... I visited the ... " Julian began, stuttering, but when her husband took a step forward, she quickly swallowed the rest of her words to whimper. " Asher ... "
• " I asked you a question. Where the hell is my wife coming from at this time of the day? And Is this why you have taken a sick leave at work? "
• " Asher... No "
• " No? " He questioned his eyes round with surprise. Then he extended his palm. " Your cellphone "
• " Asher "
• " Now, Ju. Bring it out "
• That was it. Asher Atticus also failed as a husband, completely. His Obsessive, possessive and unforgivingly jealous nature had made Julian fear her husband so much.
• Without a choice, she reached into her bag to give him his cell phone when, unfortunately for her, the call from Donny came through.
• Julian's heart dropped to the bottom. Her sudden shock caused the cell phone to skip through and crash into the hard marble tiles.
• That was the last straw. Asher set his jaw hard.
• " He was the one you visited today without my permission? Taking a sick leave so you can visit your boyfriend? "
• Julian's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. She wonders why he had changed so drastically after a year of their marriage.
• " I was sick, Asher. It's the truth "
• " Really? " He drawled but didn't wait for her response before he walked towards the counter, where he took the neat file, which he extended to her.
• Julian was confused at first. She raised an eyebrow as she reached out to the papers.
• " It's a divorce paper. I have a Mistress, Ju. We have been together for months now. You should know her. Hattie, the surgeon in G. Medical Care "
• At these words, Julian went dazed. She scoffs hilariously.
• " That's a funny joke. I never know you are good at comedy, Asher. I have a good news to tell you and ... "
• " Stop the act and tell me you are also fed up! " He suddenly snapped at her. " I know all your facades. I know you want a divorce. I know you have always wanted that bullshit friend of yours. Now is your time, Julian. Sign the papers and go to hell with whatever news you have "