Always her never 1

Chapter 1 

Julia and her husband’s childhood friend Sarah were kidnapped together. 

A kidnapper held a knife to both of their throats. He told Nathan to pick one to take away; the other would be left behind for whatever twisted plans they had. 

Nathan chose to take the childhood friend. 

Julia went numb. She stared at him, shaking her head in disbelief. “Nathan, I’m your wife!” 

Guilt flickered in Nathan’s eyes, but he didn’t hesitate. “Julia, I owe Sarah my life. I can’t just leave her.” 

He paused, his voice soft. “It’s okay. Even if they violate you, I’ll still love you.” 

That sentence hit Julia like a punch to the gut. 

“But I don’t owe her anything!” Her voice broke as she shouted. “Nathan, if you walk out with her right now, we’re done. For good!” 

Nathan’s eyes turned red, but he still bent down and picked up the unconscious Sarah. 

“Take your time, Mr. Haskins!” one of the kidnappers sneered, unbuckling his belt. “We haven’t had a chance to play with your wife yet!” 

The warehouse door slammed shut, and Julia’s whole world shattered. 

They tore at her shirt, rough hands scraping against her skin. 

“I heard Mr. Haskins treats his wife like a queen,” a kidnapper hissed in her ear, his breath foul. 

“Guess not, huh?” 

Julia fought, tears streaming down her face and blurring her vision. Just as the kidnapper yanked her bra strap, the warehouse door burst open. 

“Police! Don’t move!” 

Gunshots rang out. The man pinning her crashed to the floor. 

Suddenly, Julia was in someone’s arms again, wrapped in the familiar smell of cedar. 

“You’re okay, Julia. You’re okay…” Nathan’s voice shook. “I had the police waiting outside the whole time. You were never in real danger…” 

But Julia felt cold, empty. 

What did a police ambush matter? When it came down to it, he still picked Sarah. 

“We’re… over…” she whispered, before everything went black. 

When she woke again, she was staring at the ceiling of their bedroom. Her fingers twitched–someone was holding her hand tight. 

3 

Chapter 

“You’re awake!” Nathan rushed over, eyes shadowed with exhaustion. “Do you want water? Are you hungry? The housekeeper made your favorite soup…” 

“Nathan.” Julia’s voice stopped him. “Do you remember what I said when you left with Sarah?” 

Nathan froze. 

“I want a divorce.” Julia’s voice was steady and quiet, almost scarily calm. 

“You just woke up. You should get some rest. I’ll go get you some soup.” Nathan looked away, heading toward the door. 

“Running away won’t change anything.” Julia pushed herself up. “Let’s talk about the divorce.” 

Nathan flinched, his shoulders sagging, but he hurried out of the room, even forgetting his jacket on the chair. 

Julia stared at the closed door, her mind drifting back five years. 

Back then, he’d just taken over his family business Haskins International. No matter how busy he was, he’d cross half the city just to bring her a hot bowl of her favorite soup. 

“Julia, open up,” he’d say, spoon in hand, eyes so gentle. “Careful, it’s hot.” 

Now, he was too guilty to even look at her. 

Julia forced herself up, opened her laptop, and started drafting the divorce papers. 

She and Nathan had really loved each other once. So much that, when Sarah made a scene at the company, he’d say in front of everyone, “Sarah, I don’t like you. Please respect yourself.” 

When Sarah pretended to fall into his arms, he’d push her away and immediately text Julia: [Babe, Sarah tried that again. I need a kiss from my wife to make it better.] 

But then there was that earthquake. 

Sarah had risked her life to save him, only to get crushed by a falling beam and break two ribs. 

From then on, everything changed. 

“Julia, Sarah saved my life,” he pleaded for her the first time. “She just wants to work at Haskins International…” 

“Julia, Sarah’s not feeling well,” he bailed on her for Sarah the first time. “I’m taking her to the hospital…” 

“Julia, Sarah…” 

Once. Twice. Over and over. 

Julia understood his guilt. But when that guilt kept crossing lines, over and over, even above her own safety, she was just tired. 

When her phone buzzed on the coffee table, she was slipping the signed divorce papers into an envelope.