Chapter 1

"Julia!" the voice of a little child resounded in the middle of the night. Cries and shouts invaded the mansion as a thunderous storm was hitting the little town of Medila. "Julia, don't leave me! Please!"

The shouts and cries reverberated on every wall in the mansion. However, no one dared to say a word. The master of the house had already given his orders and no one would dare to contradict them. 

Julia was supposed to move out of the house that very night, in the middle of the storm. 

"Julia, wait... please," Marian, Julia's sister, showed up at the door. Her lovely blue eyes were plagued with worry and little tears. 

However, that amount of sadness didn't give her the courage to defy her father either, if she did, then... she would be led out of the house too. She couldn't, she wasn't that strong to survive out there. 

"It's okay, take care of Michael. Go back to your son before he gets sick."

"But... you... why must you fight with father and aunt? You could just obey. You know he never meant harm to you, he was doing it for your benefit. If you could only listen..."

Julia smirked, this is her always obedient and shy older sister. "This is not what I want, Marian. He never listened to me, and I can't stand it anymore."

"But... he... you..." Marian knew how their father-and-daughter relationship was. Julia was exactly like him, with the same strong character. She sighed long and heavy. "Delian is a good man, Julia. Father trusts him."

"I won't marry Delian, and I won't allow father to control my life however he likes, I am not like you..." She regretted what she said as soon as she said it, her sister's eyes widened but then showed pain. "I-I am sorry, this is not..."

"I know, I know," Marian's voice filled with regret. When they were little, she should be the one to protect her sister, but she was too cowardly and shy. She never stood up to his father and never disobeyed him in anything. And because of that, Julia was the one who suffered the most. "But... what are you going to do? Daniela is not reliable, you know that."

Julia laughed, "she is more reliable than Delian. He is not like Gabriel."

Marian had married Gabriel three years ago by orders of their father, the Count Rafael Reed. Marian, Gabriel, and Julia were childhood friends and grew up together, but Marian and Gabriel had been engaged since birth. They were a beautiful couple and had a cute son called Michael. 

However, that was one of the reasons Julia couldn't continue to live there. The man of her life, the one she loved as a child, was already married to her sister. 'I must leave quickly.'

"Julia, Delian is also a good man, everyone in town knows about him and his talents. You should give him a chance."

"No, I know him very well," Julia turned around after finishing packing and looked at her sister with serious eyes, hoping Marian to understand her warning. "He is not a good person, and he had fooled father and everyone in this town. Don't let him enter this house. Protect Michael and Gabriel. Also... take care of father. I won't be staying here anymore."

She grabbed her small bag and case and lowered the stairs. Several servants were waiting outside, hoping their little miss wouldn't leave. 

"Julia, please... don't..."

"I'm leaving. Take care, if anything happens, you can send a letter to Daniela's inn."

Saying that Julia opened the main door and entered the curtain made of heavy raindrops. Marian didn't follow her anymore. Deep inside, she knew very well the reason why Julia was leaving, and somehow she wanted it. Everyone in the mansion loved Julia, even her son... and maybe...

"Miss, the carriage is prepared, but the rain..." the driver reached Julia with an umbrella. "We should wait for it to stop, if not..."

"We shall leave, I can't stay here anymore. Dalton let's go."

"Sigh... okay, but we will go slowly."

"Thank you." 

Just as Julia was nearing the small carriage that was meant to take her to the town, a man on top of a horse approached quickly and stopped her. 

Tall and dressed in fine clothes, despite the heavy rain, he looked marvelous. 

Delian Rider had always been the most attractive man in the town of Medila and the one with the best prospects. A Count title at such a young age, an immense inheritance from his father's and mother's side, a profitable business on the coast, and a brilliant mind. Even more, the Academy had conceded him the greatest honor, as he had shown great talent and dedication. 

"Where do you think you are going, Julia?" The man dismounted from the horse and approached Julia. "What do you think you are doing?"

"That is none of your business, my lord," said Julia, looking straight at him. Even if he was impressive in the eyes of everyone in Medila, she was not fooled by that appearance. For many years she had seen his true self, a controlling and arrogant man. 

"It is my business, you are my fiancée!" he said with rage in his eyes. If he hadn't ridden his horse at full speed after he heard the news, he would not catch her in time. "You are not leaving this..."

"You can't stop me, and I am not your fiancée! I didn't agree to the marriage and never will."

Delian didn't say a word but looked at her, emanating ire and a hint of desperation. She was the same fierce girl he met twelve years ago, with the same bright blue eyes, the same hazel long and soft hair, and the same cute face. However, those beautiful factions would never have meant a dime if not for her strong and audacious personality. She was the best woman in the town, and she was his. 

"I am leaving," Julia said without waiting for him to respond. 

However, just as she was about to enter the carriage, he grabbed her arm. "You are not!"