Forsaking All Others Read online

  “You know what I mean, Danni.” Julianna’s voice was hoarse as she dabbed her eyes. She looked over at Jason. “Jason, I’m so sorry for all of that. I should have known he would follow me.”

  Jason shrugged and pushed away from the wall. “Oh, that’s okay. I never liked the guy, so I probably enjoyed it more than I should have.”

  He finished with a grin that finally brought a small smile to Julianna’s face.

  “Let’s get that arm bandaged up and get you to bed,” Danica said. “We’ll figure everything else out in the morning.”

  Danicah inspected her sister’s arm. It didn’t look broken, but it looked painful. She could make out the marks from where her arm had been tightly grasped, which was red and swollen. It would definitely leave bruising.

  Slowly, she wrapped it up and placed a gentle pat on Julianna’s arm. She stood and studied the lines and planes of her sister’s face. Although she hated Devon, she had to remember that Julianna loved him. His betrayal had broken her heart.

  She heaved a sigh and helped Julianna up from the table. She met her husband’s eyes and shook her head. She didn’t know what to do this time to protect her little sister. The only thing she could do was offer her support and hope Julianna would heal in time.

  13

  Julianna spun around. A smile spread over her face. This was perfect. It had been a few weeks since the blowup with Devon, and she really couldn’t impose on her sister any longer. She needed a place, one where Devon wouldn’t find her.

  She twirled again, enjoying the feel of her dress swooshing in the breeze of her movement. The house was modest, but it had everything she was looking for, and it would be hers. The original plan had been to find an apartment, but she had lucked out and found a cute little house for rent. There was a porch in the back and a modest backyard where she could already envision her plants growing. The interior was modern yet warm, with an open concept and pine wood floors throughout. And the kitchen…

  She stopped dancing long enough to admire it. Its stainless-steel appliances and dark granite countertops added a sophisticated quality to the space. She never would have thought she could find something so nice in her price range.

  She slowly ran her hand along the polished material of the countertops. She jumped when she heard the realtor clear his throat.

  “So, I take it you like it, Mrs. Winton? Will your husband be stopping by to confirm?” Eddie, the realtor, wore a broad smile on his face as he watched his client’s elation.

  At the thought of her husband, Julianna froze. “Um, no. This is just for me. I would like to work something out with the owner today if you’re able.” She avoided his eyes as she bit her lip. “I’ve seen this house three times, and I’m still taken with it.”

  Eddie nodded and pulled out his phone. “I’ll just call the owner and start the process. If you’ll excuse me,” he replied, walking away.

  A nervous Julianna stood in the middle of the room. She’d never really had her own home before. She had lived alone in the past briefly before meeting Devon, but it had never been in a house. She only hoped everything checked out with the owner.

  She was lost in her thoughts when she heard heavy footsteps coming back to her. “Well, I’ve officially started things, but we need to go down to the office to sign some paperwork. Are you able to do that today?”

  Julianna nodded, her eyes wide with excitement. She couldn’t believe she was now getting her own place. Her hands tried to catch the excited squeal that escaped her throat but failed miserably.

  Eddie looked at her with an amused expression. “I’m glad to know you’re excited about this. I hope everything works out for you.”

  Julianna beamed in response. She was finally starting over, and this was the first step. Nothing was going to rob her of her happiness.

  “Thanks for doing this for me, guys.”

  Julianna held out a large, reusable bag to Danicah and Jason; she took up another. She had gone by her former home to pick up the last of her things, but she didn’t want to go alone. She’d thought about leaving everything there but took the things which held sentimental value for her. Everything else would stay. She only hoped Devon would be civil and allow her to get her things and leave in peace.

  Worry twisted her stomach into knots. This was the first time she had seen Devon since that night. He hadn’t called her for over a week, and she wasn’t sure how this would go. Hopefully, it all showed him that their relationship was over.

  She stood in front of the house before she turned around and rested her hand on the doorknob, nervous. This place had been her home for two whole years, but now she felt like a stranger there. She was moving on.

  Julianna pushed the door open and called out. “Hello? Devon?”

  Her voice rang out loud and clear throughout the empty house.

  The front room was in disarray. Her footsteps sounded loudly on the hardwood floor. Throw pillows were carelessly tossed on the floor, instead of being neatly arranged on the large leather sectional, and a side table lay on its side. The throw blankets that were usually neatly and tastefully draped across the couch were crumpled messes on the floor. The blinds were drawn. Devon couldn’t have been home. He didn’t enjoy a mess.

  “I don’t think he’s home,” Jason said as he scanned their surroundings.

  It looked like no one had been there for days.

  Julianna shrugged, and motioned to the kitchen.

  All the better.

  “I just need to get my pots and pans, and a few other things from the bedroom. This shouldn’t take long at all.”

  She had just begun putting her pots and pans into her bag when the front door opened.

  “Julianna. I knew you would come back,”

  The words dripped with arrogance. However, they died on Devon’s lips when he noticed her sitting on the floor clearing out her belongings.

  He started to move forward, jaw clenched, but immediately paused when he noticed Jason standing not too far away from her. A scowl settled on his face. He folded his arms. “What the hell is this, and why the hell is he in my house?”

  Julianna sighed and stood.

  So much for this being easy.

  “Devon, we won’t be here long. They just came with me to help get the rest of my things.”

  Devon frowned at Danicah, who returned his glare with one of her own.

  “Oh? So that’s it? You’re just going to leave?”

  He clenched his jaw and started towards her once again, but immediately shrank back when Jason took a step forward. Their last encounter still remained fresh on his mind and had cost him several days of work due to the bruising.

  Julianna got up from the floor. “Devon—”

  “You embarrassed me in front of my family. Do you know how bad they treated Michelle after what you told them? I told you it was only business.”

  Julianna’s pulse stilled. She stared at the man standing in front of her, the man who was supposed to be her husband.

  “Do you really think I care about how she feels? Look, this conversation has proven that our marriage cannot be saved. You still can’t see past yourself. Maybe you never will. I’ll be finished here in a minute.”

  Julianna, blood boiling, sat back down and began removing her pots with renewed energy. Never once had he apologized for what he did, and never once had he tried to understand her feelings.

  But yet, he expects me to just take it and move on.

  When she was done, she walked up to Devon and held out her hand.

  “What’s this?” Devon held out his hand to receive her offering. He scowled when he saw the house key.

  “My key, and no, I didn’t make any copies. I’m sorry things had to end this way, Devon. I really am.”

  She turned on her heel and walked out the front door before he could say anything. Jason and Danicah followed in silence.

  14

  Devon hurled the empty bottle across the living room, rage bubbling. The glass
shattered against the taupe walls with a deafening crash that echoed in the space. His little bitch of a wife had decided she would end things with him.

  As if. I dare her to find anyone as good as me.

  Her new behavior had something to do with her hanging out with her whore of a sister. Had to be. God, he hated Danicah.

  In his rage, he blindly fished around for a new bottle of alcohol and opened it, enjoyed the burn of the clear liquid then sent the bottle flying after the first. It smashed into the wall and shattered.

  Julianna hadn’t given him one legitimate reason what he had done that was so terrible for her to leave him. She’d been clever to stay at her sister’s house with her guard dog present. There was no way he could get to her while she continued to stay there. It also didn’t help that she was refusing to answer the phone.

  She’d said they needed to work on their ‘problems’. Yet, she wasn’t returning any of his calls.

  He held his chin in his hand, his fingernails raking through the stubble of his clenched jaw. This wasn’t a good look for him. He was always in control and the one to make the solid life choices. But now, because of her, it looked as if his life was in turmoil.

  He nearly spat with rage. He was past the niceties and trying to please his wife. He’d constantly bent to her needs, while she never wanted to meet any of his. He was sick of it.

  All she did was complain, act as if sacrifices didn’t need to be made in marriage. Honestly, it had taken everything he had in him not to wrap his hands around her neck when she’d made that scene in front of the family. He’d made it a point, the entire time he was with Julianna, to never put his hands on her. That she would be different for him.

  However, he now regret his decision. She’d become an insolent brat. Maybe, if he had kept her in line, she would have learned the level of respect someone like him, her husband, deserved.

  Devon drew in a few calming breaths as he stepped over the broken bottle. He slowly scanned his home, which felt cold and empty. The leather couch he’d bought when they’d first gotten married now seemed too large as it stood empty. Multiple items of furniture, including a large, tall vase they’d received as a wedding gift lay in shards in the middle of the Livingroom, victims of his bouts of rage. Surely, a man of his stature didn’t need to be stressing himself out like this, and he surely didn’t need to be living in such filth.

  He punched in a number into his phone and requested prompt cleaning services. Just because his wife was giving him trouble, didn’t mean that he should allow for his lifestyle to change. He was a king. He didn’t ask for respect. It was demanded. Julianna would soon learn that.

  Appeased for that moment, he walked into the bathroom, rolled his neck and stepped into the shower. He welcomed the sensation of the warm water over his taut muscles. In the end, it was okay. Julianna came from a background where she didn’t understand these things. Although he had tried to teach her those things, she still lacked class and understanding how the world really worked. She’d been acting out, but he knew the old Julianna was still in there somewhere, alongside her new bratty attitude, and that she wanted things to work. How couldn’t she?

  Either way, he would just have to show her how serious he was when he’d said forever. She would see.

  Part II

  “In order to rise from its own ashes,

  a phoenix

  must

  first

  burn…”

  Octavia Butler

  15

  Julianna strode out of the cool office building into the warm air. She’d finally filed for divorce and knew, at the end of the day, she had made the right decision. There was no point to being with a husband who openly disrespected her and didn’t love her. She couldn’t continue to be blind and expect any change. Although she had believed Devon to be the one, either he had completely changed over the last two years of marriage, or he was finally showing her who he truly was.

  And the whole time, I was complacent and reasoned every red flag away.

  Either way, she knew she deserved better. She at least deserved a man who showed her love and didn’t put on shows for the rest of the world.

  She shook her head and casually adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder and walked out into the day. Fluffy white clouds dotted a pristine blue sky; a wispy breeze hugged her shoulders. She raised her head skyward and smiled as she invited the rays of sun to caress her face. She wasn’t going to ruin her day by thinking about what could have been with her marriage. It took two people to make a marriage work, and Devon just didn’t seem to even think anything was wrong, let alone try to fix anything.

  Suddenly empowered, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Danicah about what she’d done. She honestly couldn’t have made it through the past few weeks without her sister. She had missed their closeness. Ever since marrying Devon, she’d seen Danicah less and less; Devon found excuses to keep Julianna away from her sister. He’d forced her to keep things about their relationship private and would always come up with something whenever she planned to spend time with Danicah.

  What he’d wanted was to alienate her from the only family she had.

  Growing up, it had only been her and her sister. Danicah had always looked out for her. In retrospect, she should’ve listened more closely when Danicah had expressed her concerns about Devon. However, he’d been so charming and sweet. He’d loved her. All she’d ever wanted was for someone to love her. For her own happy ending she’d watched Danicah receive.

  So much for that.

  Julianna could only pray Devon didn’t make things ugly during this divorce. He constantly told her their relationship was “forever.”

  She was a shell of the pre-Devon Julianna, who was warm and friendly. But she’d finally woken up and started to reclaim who she was. And, to be honest, she didn’t like the person she had become with Devon.

  It was true she’d always been soft spoken and reserved and avoided confrontation, but it wasn’t until now that she realized how much Devon had dominated her, and how much she would bend to all of his demands. That wasn’t love. That was control. She was struck by how easily she had eaten up what Devon had fed her.

  She made her way down the street. Today was a new day. She’d lost herself, but this was the start of rediscovering who Julianna really was.

  16

  A silent Devon watched his wife walked down the street as he sat inside of his car. A warm breeze blew through his open window. Today, she wore a pair of jeans and a pink top. He narrowed his eyes at a smiling Julianna basking in the sunshine.

  Well, she’s really carefree now, isn’t she?

  Anger churned in his gut as he thought about the past few weeks. Even though he’d called her, religiously, Julianna hadn’t even picked up the phone. And he definitely wasn’t going to go over to her sister’s house with her “guard dog” there to protect her.

  He shuddered, recalling the cold look in Jason’s eyes. As a man, he should have understood and just minded his own goddamned business. It wasn’t as if he were some stranger who had followed Julianna to her sister’s house. He was her husband.

  Jason’s imposing frame and cold eyes came to mind. If something had transpired between Jason and his wife, he knew Jason would’ve been doing his best to fix it. Just like he’d had been trying to do that night with Julianna.

  Julianna didn’t even try to stop Jason when he put his hands on him. It was clear that sister of hers had completely brainwashed her.

  Danicah was one of the most irritating people he had ever met. There was no reason for her to dislike him; he’d always made it a point to be civil to her and to be on his best behavior. But she didn’t like him and wasn’t afraid to show it. That manipulative bitch was probably the reason Julianna was now acting the way she was. Danicah was probably in her ear talking about divorce and other things solely because she didn’t like him.

  He was good to Julianna. Jason probably doesn’t treat his wife as well as
he treated Julianna. Danicah was clearly jealous. He’d heard about her failed relationships in the past from Julianna, and it disgusted him to know that she had been with so many. Abrasive women like her always spread their legs too fast and too often. A whore like her probably never thought twice about jumping from man-to-man, and he completely understood Julianna’s new behavior. So long as Julianna was staying with her sister and her “bulldog”, there was no way for him to be able to go to her and explain to her that she was being ridiculous.

  Whatever she wanted—more things, most likely—they could work something out. If only she’d return his calls. The old Julianna would have understood, but new Julianna was selfish.

  When I’m finished with her, she will never even so much as raise her voice at me again.

  He swore and spat into the grass beside him through his open window. When he’d married her, he had promised for better… or for worse. And she had no idea how much worse things could get.

  17

  The mood was festive and light in the intimate space of the bar as Danicah raised her glass and smiled at her younger sister. When she’d heard about what Julianna had done, Danicah had been so proud that she’d dragged Julianna out to celebrate at a new bar in town. It was classy enough to properly celebrate the moment but had enough of a relaxed atmosphere where she was sure that her sister wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.

  “Congrats. It may not seem like it now, but this is a good thing.”

  Of course, Danni would want to celebrate her filing for a divorce. “Thanks, Danni. A part of me still can’t believe it had to come to this.”