The realization struck me with the force of a physical blow. Julian hadn't just exposed me and nearly killed my brother; he had stripped me clean. He had drained the joint savings, leaving me with nothing, effectively trapping me, making it impossible for me to save Liam.
This wasn't just betrayal; it was financial assassination.
In rage and desperation, I called Julian. After several rings, he finally picked up.
"Mm... Hello?" A lazy voice sounded from the other end, followed by Lesley's moans.
My grip over the phone tightened even more as I asked, "Julian, how dare you to freeze my account after leaving my brother to die?"
"You said as long as I go to meet Lesley and Deccan, everything will be fine. Then... What is it? And our private videos... What answer do you have for all this?" I asked, my voice laced with fury.
There was a small pause on the other side before he finally spoke up, his voice laced with feign concern and pretentious. "It's not my fault, Laura. Who had asked you to cut Deccan's cheeks?"
"He is gone mad on me now. He is creating troubles in my company. Our company is in loss. That is why I had to take the money back from you."
"I don't know how he managed to hack my phone and stole our intimate pictures. I'm trying to delete everything from the internet. But, it all needs money, Honey. How am I supposed to manage everything without it?"
His facade, his fake worry and concern, a mask to hide his cruel face, sent chills down my spine. Meanwhile, he continued, his voice manipulative, "But, everything will be fine if you do one thing, Laura."
"What?" I asked, just to know his intention.
He hesitated for a moment before he finally spoke,"Just fulfill Deccan's demand. Give him what he wants and everything will be okay. It's just one night, honey."
Julian's words sent shivers down my spine. My husband, my love of five years, had the audacity of asking me to sleep with other man.
My voice turned hoarse as I asked, "Do you really mean it, Julian? Everything will be okay once I satisfy Deccan for a night?"
Julian's voice sounded excited as he replied quickly, "Yes, sweatheart, everything will be okay. Your brother will be treated and your videos will be deleted immediately. Just one night."
Just then my phone beeped with a notification. It was Magus.