Chapter 1 Are You Able To Remain?

• Like poured black ink, heavy rain engulfed the pitch-black night. A pale face was backlit by a burst of lightning that ripped the night sky open. Susan Shelby nervously peered into the horizon while clinging to the umbrella. Even though Julian had assured her that he would return home tonight, he had not shown up by ten o'clock. Had he not fulfilled his promise once more? Susan gripped the umbrella tighter, a flicker of hopelessness hiding in her eyes. In the distant, a brilliant light flared abruptly. A high-end vehicle emerged, seemingly blending in with the pitch-black night. Julian! It belonged to Julian. Susan rushed eagerly over. Let out a scream!
• The spray of water drenched half of Susan's garments as the automobile stopped. However, she was unaware of it as she said, "Julian, you..." "Idiot, don't you know how to hide?" A guy stepped out of the car aggressively before she could continue. The man had beautiful features, and between his eyebrows was an unfathomable trace of evil. In that instant, his dark eyes flashed menacingly at Susan, whose damp garments embraced the shape of her body close. "I..." Susan felt a little uneasy by the man's unexpected outburst of rage. Julian Shaw was the man standing before her. Her fate was governed by her husband, who was also her master.
• "Why are you still standing here?" Julian shouted, suppressing his wrath and tone as he looked at Susan, who was shaking in terror. To bring us into disrepute?" Then he said that and entered. Susan frantically replied, "Okay." "I... took the umbrella out for you." "That is not necessary. Taking care of oneself is sufficient. There was a trace of irony in Julian's voice. His jacket, saturated from the rain, was hanging. He then undid two collar buttons and removed his necktie. He then gave her an irritated glance. Talk! You asked me to come home, but why?
• Susan whispered back, "You... you haven't been home for half a month." "We are husband and wife. It's best that you return home. Julian's eyes dwindled, and he arched his eyebrows as he gazed at Susan with an unimaginable expectation in his heart. "You can't be missing me, can you, woman? Do you think I'm beautiful? You must not be that stupid." No, it's not that." Susan's hands wrung. From the start, her marriage to Julian Shaw had been a business deal. She dared not consider the inconceivable concept of love. Julian instantly pouted at Susan's hasty refusal. "Then, why do you want me home?" Again, his voice grew icy.
• Susan tightened her hold on the hem of her garments. "I...I..." "If there’s nothing, I'm leaving." Julian seemed a little annoyed. "I don't want to introduce you to my exciting nightlife. You should change and go to bed. Despite the fact that her clothing was completely soaked, this woman had not changed despite her already poor health. What a fool! Julian turned and went without a second thought. He had almost reached the doorway when a shuddering voice called out to him from behind. "Julian, w-wait." "What do you want now?" Julian spun around tensely. His pupils then abruptly narrowed. Susan unfastened her garments with trembling hands. "Do you know what you're doing, woman?"
• "I know," Susan responded tremblingly. We are a married couple. We ought to since we've been married for a year. Julian ceased to hear. He approached, gave her a u-p, and made his way to the bedroom. Susan sighed in relief as she draped herself over his shoulder. In this manner, her elder brother's medical expenses would be covered, and she could fulfill her mother-in-law's wishes. Whoa! Already braced for the moment, Susan was flung into the bed. However, why... Her heart continued to hurt. The individual who had previously pledged that they would be together indefinitely was now engaged to someone else. The prior vow was never kept because she now had a spouse of her own.
• Susan inhaled deeply. She should let go of the past relationship, but she was the one who was unable to do so. But she didn't know why she felt so alone. Her eyes filled with tears, and a few uncontrollably trickled down her cheeks. The sense of tyranny vanished immediately. When she opened her eyes, Julian was staring at her icily, his eyes blazing with rage. "Are you crying?" He took hold of her collar. "Are you thinking about Luke Jenkins again?" "I..." Susan's deepest, most heartfelt name was exposed. Then she said in a panic, "I was only... only..."
• "Only what?" Julian mocked, "Don't you forget, the Luke that you've been thinking of has a fiancee, and they're getting married soon!" "I know!" Susan shuddered a little. "The relationship between me and him is the past, and it's not like I'm doing anything!" "Yes, you took no action. As Mrs. Shaw, you spend your whole day worrying about someone else. Susan's eyes were filled with horror as she gazed at him. Julian stared at her like a scared little rabbit, an inexplicable wave of anxiousness racing through his heart. He huffed as he turned around. "Ignore it. I have a task to complete. "I" "Julian." Susan abruptly gave him a tense back hug. "Can you stay tonight?" Something seemed to burn in her cold hands.