Chapter 190
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“You’ve always known Julianne is fragile. You have no idea what she’s going through right now. She’s…” Jeremy “trailed off, unable to finish.
Honestly, he didn’t even like Julianne that much. He’d only ever showered her with attention because he was jealous, figuring the nicer he was to Julianne, the more it would hurt me .
But now, looking at his conflicted expression, I knew what he was thinking. I was ruthless and cold–hearted. As a woman myself, I should’ve understood how devastating it was for Julianne to go through something like that.
He believed, deep down, I should’ve let myself be sacrificed to spare her from something like that. His face twisted between guilt and anger.
I let out a bitter laugh.
Was this really my fault? What did they mean by I ruined Julianne’s life? What exactly did I do to her?
Was it because she wanted me dead, and I just didn’t go through with her plans? Was it because she wanted me to be violated, and I refused to let it happen?
Was I a saint or just a complete idiot? If someone was coming for my life, was I supposed to just sit and let them do whatever they wanted to me? What Julianne had gone through was indeed really sad but whose fault was it?
Shouldn’t she be blaming herself for making a bad deal and paying the price?
No matter how they spun it, none of this was on me. Any sound person would see that.
If this had been in the past, I probably would’ve panicked and scrambled to explain myself. I would’ve told them how Julianne wanted me dead.
I would’ve told them that if I hadn’t run, those men would have done more than just kill me destroyed me. I would’ve told them my body couldn’t take any more damage.
-they would have
–
But that was the old me. The current me didn’t feel the need to explain anything. Because I already knew–it wouldn’t matter. To them, no matter what I said, I was wrong and I was evil.
They had already decided that I should have died for Julianne. So instead of explaining, I turned to Jeremy and said calmly, “What’s done is done. Sitting here blaming me won’t change anything.
“Right now, you should be thinking about how to make it up to Julianne. After all, she ended up in this mess. because you all failed to protect her. No matter what, it’s on you to fix it.
“Instead of wasting time yelling at me, figure out how to help her move forward and how to make sure she’s taken care of.”
Jeremy, Mom, and Henry all froze. They clearly hadn’t expected me to say that or to turn the blame on them.
I looked at them, and deep inside, I let out a cold laugh. They weren’t the only ones who knew how to guilt–trip.
They said everything was my fault because I ran to save my own life? Then I could just as easily say everything was their fault for failing to protect Julianne.
Now tell me whose responsibility was greater? Theirs, obviously.
“Jeremy, didn’t you say you’re afraid no one would want to marry Julianne after what’s happened to her? It’s an easy fix. Just transfer all your assets and shares to her. With enough money in her hands, she’ll never have to
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worry about finding a husband.
“And even if she never gets married, she can still live the high life. She can travel, indulge, and do whatever she wants. Hell, she can even get herself a sugar baby. She doesn’t necessarily have to get married, right?
“And don’t worry about her not having kids. You can always have a few more and give one to her. That way , she’ll have a family to take care of her when she’s older.”
Jeremy said nothing. He just stared at me like I had grown a second head.
Before he could say anything, I turned to Mom and Henry. I said, “Mom, Mr. Quill , you have to play your part, too. Hand over everything you own to Julianne as well. I mean, if you had protected her properly, this never would have happened.
“She got kidnapped and had to go through all these because of you. Honestly, even giving her your entire fortune wouldn’t be enough to make up for it.”
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