Divorce to restart

Chapter 5

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden hue on the room as George leaned back in his chair, his face a mixture of curiosity and amusement. He had always been a man of few words, but when it came to matters of his daughter, he listened intently, his stern demeanor softened by a father’s deep love.

His wife, visibly agitated, paced the room, her hands wringing in frustration. Her face betrayed her turmoil—an intricate blend of anger, worry, and relief. She had been grappling with the situation for weeks, and now that she had George’s attention, she was determined to let it all out.

“She was late again yesterday,” she began, her voice sharp. “Luckily, I caught her red-handed when she got off the bike.” Her pacing quickened as she recounted the scene. “That ruthless brat will carry our daughter away one day. I don’t believe him—he is not a gentleman. Spoiled fellow!”

George raised a hand to stop her tirade, his voice calm but firm. “Stop cursing that spoiled boy. Your curses are not going to change him at any cost. Let it be for now. Carry on.”

His wife paused, gathering her thoughts. She let out a sigh, her anger momentarily giving way to a reflective tone. “I preferred to remain silent,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly, “but while eating dinner, she told me she had broken ties with that fellow. She said she would never think of him again and would not go against our wishes.”

Her expression softened as she continued, her emotions raw and conflicted. “I was very happy to hear that inwardly. It felt like a burden had been lifted. But her words... George, her words were so difficult to digest. It’s as if she’s fighting a battle within herself.”

George tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in thought. “But the important question is,” he began, his voice steady and probing, “do you think she will abide by what she says? Or will Jude forget her so easily?”

His wife stopped pacing, turning to face him directly. Her voice was resolute, though tinged with uncertainty. “George, I don’t know anything about Jude, but I trust my daughter. She will never bring shame upon us in society. You know how much she is scared of you. And that Jude—he knows well that you are a stern lawyer who could put him behind bars anytime.”

She took a deep breath, her frustration resurfacing. “Now, will you set me free from this constant worrying?”

George chuckled softly, a rare moment of levity breaking through his serious demeanor. “Yes, yes, go and start your day afresh. Don’t bother too much about her—I am here to handle her affairs. She might be thinking what a heartless father I am, but you know I only want the best for her.”

He pulled the blanket off himself, swinging his legs off the bed with a surprising agility. “I also have some work in court today,” he added, stretching and rubbing his eyes. “Let me finish my morning ablutions first.”

As his wife left the room, George sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, lost in thought. Despite his composed exterior, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the situation was far more complex than it seemed. His daughter’s resolve might be strong, but love had a way of defying logic and reason. And Jude—well, he was an unpredictable variable, a young man who seemed both reckless and determined.

George sighed, rising to his feet. “Young love,” he muttered under his breath. “It’s a battlefield, and only time will reveal the victors.”

With that, he headed toward the washroom, leaving behind the faint echo of his musings in the quiet room.

Juli was enjoying a rare, peaceful nap, the kind she hadn’t experienced in weeks. Her mind felt lighter after the heartfelt conversation she’d had with her mother the previous evening. For days, the weight of her inner conflict had robbed her of sleep, leaving her restless and burdened. This morning, she had silenced the alarm clock more than once, allowing herself to bask in the comfort of her bed, wrapping herself in the warmth of temporary solace.

The serenity was short-lived. Her phone, resting innocently beside her pillow, lit up and vibrated insistently, shattering the calm she had so desperately craved. The persistent buzzing stirred her from sleep. With a groggy rub of her eyes and a reluctant groan, she reached for the device. The moment her eyes adjusted to the screen, her heart sank. Jude.

"Good morning, dear," came his cheerful voice as she answered the call.

Juli froze. Words caught in her throat as her mother’s stern warnings echoed vividly in her mind: “Stay away from him. He’s not right for you. Listen to us—we know what’s best for you.” Her hand trembled as she hesitated, torn between her love for Jude and her duty to her parents. In a sudden burst of resolve, she ended the call without saying a word.

Moments later, the phone vibrated again. And again. Twice, thrice—countless times. Each vibration felt like a small earthquake shaking her already fragile emotions. Juli clenched the phone tightly, her heart pounding as she paced the room in frustration and anxiety.

Her thoughts spiraled. If I answer, I’ll be betraying my parents. But if I don’t, Jude will worry. What do I do? Her chest tightened as conflicting loyalties gnawed at her. I love my parents more than anyone. They’ve sacrificed so much for me. How can I disregard their wishes for a man who has nothing to offer right now?

The phone continued to ring, its persistence an unbearable reminder of her inner turmoil. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she grabbed the phone with trembling hands. Her thumb hovered over the green button, but her subconscious mind rebelled. She shut her eyes and sat silently on the edge of her bed, waiting for the ringing to stop.

When the buzzing finally ceased, she felt a momentary sense of relief. But it was short-lived as her mind plunged into a guilt-ridden abyss. She scolded herself for her indecision. Am I doing the right thing? Am I being unfair to him? Or am I just trying to please everyone but myself?

Just as she began to set the phone aside, a notification appeared, the screen glowing with a message that made her heart skip a beat:

“I am coming tomorrow to meet your parents. I am going to prove my worth. You can forget me, but I will not.”

For a moment, Juli stared at the message, her expression unreadable. She placed the phone down gently, as though handling a fragile piece of glass. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back, stretching her arms and letting out a long yawn, as if attempting to brush off the tension.

A knock at her door broke her reverie. Her mother’s voice, gentle yet commanding, called out, “Breakfast is ready. Come out of bed.”

“Yes, Mom. Give me some time,” Juli replied, her voice steady despite the storm within her.

Dragging herself to the washroom, she splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would wash away her confusion. She stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her tired body. The scent of roses and jasmine from her shampoo enveloped her, momentarily soothing her senses.

As she stepped out, her wet hair clung to her back, water droplets trailing down her long western gown. She made no effort to dry her hair, her mind too preoccupied with Jude’s words. Memories of their time together flooded her thoughts, uninvited and relentless.

She recalled their long walks, shared laughter, and quiet moments under the stars. Despite his flaws, Jude had a way of making her feel seen, cherished, and alive. But then her parents’ warnings returned, mingling with her memories like a dark shadow over a beautiful painting.

Juli sighed deeply, her reflection in the mirror staring back at her with uncertainty. How can I forget him so easily? But how can I go against the people who have always stood by me?

With a heavy heart, she left the washroom, knowing that tomorrow would bring challenges she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.