Julia rubbed her eyes, trying to clear the tears that blurred her vision. The thought of Victor's mother discovering their fight made her stomach twist. They were supposed to be happily married, but now she felt the weight of shame for not visiting the Voss home as promised.Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and sunk into a dining chair. "Mama, good morning. I'm glad you called. How is Papa?" she asked, hoping her voice sounded steady."Well, he's doing better now. I called a family doctor here at home. I waited a long time for you, but you didn't come." Her words were clipped, sharp enough for her to sense her frustration even over the phone.A gasp escaped her lips. Did Victor not share what happened? "I-I'm sorry, Mama. Something bad happened that night. A group, maybe a syndicate, ambushed the bus I was on. They held me hostage and did horrible things..." Her voice trembled, breaking at the end.She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could erase that night from her memory. Yet still, deep down, she yearned for Victor's parents to see her side of the story."Ah, yes. My son told me. Who is this person that targeted you and waited for your bus? This is serious. Because of you, other people almost got hurt," Victor's mother's voice dripped with accusation, leaving Julia feeling exposed.A coldness crept into her chest. How could she be blamed for their cruelty? "I don't have any enemies, Mama. Who would be mad at me? I'm not rich or famous. I don't know anyone who would want to hurt me. I think it might be one of Victor's business rivals; maybe they're his enemies and took it out on me,"The tone shifted sharply on the other end. "What do you mean? Are you blaming my son for what happened to you? And exactly what did happen, huh?" Evelyn's voice sharpened like a blade, demanding answers."I'm not blaming Victor, Mama," Julia said, her voice steady but anxious. "Like you, I don't want any innocent person to get hurt as well. I don't even understand why I was targeted. I have a point, Mama. Victor has many rivals in the business world,""Tsk! Who do you think you are for those rich people to waste their money and time on you? Don't blame my son for what happened! I didn't benefit anything when I asked you to come here, and you say those things?"Julia had long felt the coldness of Victor's parents. They were snobbish, yes, but she never thought they could be this unkind. "Mama, after everything that happened, do you really think I could have visited you that night? That's ridiculous!""You're just being dramatic. What really happened?"Julia didn't want to hide anything, especially from Victor's family. She wanted to be completely honest. The older woman was harsh, but maybe she could show a little kindness. Perhaps she could tell her son how he treated her."A syndicate beat me and tortured me, Mama. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. I thought it was the end for me. I truly feared they would kill me. But they didn't want my life," she explained, her heart racing.Julia could almost see Evelyn Voss raising her eyebrows. "If they didn't want your life, then what do they want?""They wanted to make my life miserable. They made me wish I had never been born. They didn't want to kill me just like that. That group almost assaulted me..." Her voice trailed off, aching for comfort from the old woman.Evelyn was silent for a moment. "Almost...? So that means it didn't happen?""Unfortunately, it still happened, Mama. Just in another way," she said quietly, sadness filling her voice."I-I don't understand what you mean. Can you explain that to me?"Julia didn't want to go through this again, but she felt being open was important. They would value her honesty."That whole group had terrible plans for me. They wanted to assault me. But it didn't happen because a brave man on the bus stepped in. Those monsters made us choose, and the rest is history. I chose to live. And that man... he... he did that to me," she whispered, her voice trembling with pain.Evelyn's face twisted in disbelief. "What?! You let a stranger do that?"Julia's frown deepened. "I didn't have any choice, Mama. It was either the group or just one man. I wanted to live! If I hadn't chosen, that group would have destroyed my life. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction."Shock coursed through Evelyn. She had never heard this story. Confusion swirled in her mind, but one feeling was clear—she was angry! So very angry!"Why did you choose? Why did you allow yourself to be stained? That is all you can offer my son, and now even your virginity was taken away? What can bring to the table now?" The questions flew at Julia, stabbing deep into her heart.Julia was taken aback. She thought Victor's mother would understand—after all, she was a woman too. Yet, here she was, feeling guilty as the victim for making a choice. Was it wrong to want to live? To want to survive? Why was it so hard for her?Hot tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she fought to hold them back. "Is my virginity all I have for Victor? Am I worthless if I'm not a virgin? Will God reject me if He knows I'm not pure? I never wanted this, Mama. Please don't blame me. Why not blame that evil group? Why am I the innocent one to blame?""You're still answering me back! How rude of you! Yes, you're dirty now. You don't deserve my son at all. How foolish were you to make that decision?"Her lips quivered, and more tears spilled down her cheeks. "What should I have done at that moment, Mama? What was I meant to do?""You should have chosen to die instead! You should have let that group kill you or tainted you, rather than come back to my son dirty!" she shouted, her voice full of rage on the other end of the line.Julia's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp of disbelief. A wave of weakness washed over her, and her knees felt like they might buckle. Was it really so simple for them to suggest she should just die? Did they truly believe her life meant nothing?It was easy for them to say she should have chosen that, but if they were in her shoes, she doubted they would speak like this. If given the choice to die, she wouldn't have taken it. There was still so much she wanted to achieve in her life."Don't try to make me feel sorry for you. Your tears won't sway me. You're such a foolish woman. You cheated on my son!"With her arm, she quickly wiped her tears away. They could say whatever they wanted, but she wouldn't let them accuse her of cheating with their son. Everyone who knew them could see the depth of her love for Victor. Many said she loved him more than he loved her. She had sacrificed so much for their love."Don't say that to me, Mama. I have never thought of betraying Victor. You know how much I love your son! I will take everything you throw at me, but not the accusation that I cheated on him," she replied, her voice steady but laced with anger.Evelyn Voss froze at the sound of Julia's tone. Deep down, she knew how much her daughter-in-law cherished her son, but that love alone didn't satisfy her. Julia was not the woman she wants for him."After this, don't expect me to accept you for Victor. I hope my son sees the truth. I hope he understands that being with you is the wrong choice. Don't dream that I'll ever accept you! You hold no value now and nothing to be proud of," she declared, cutting off the call.Julia stood frozen, disbelief clouding her thoughts. How could Victor's mother think it would have been better if she had just died?She refused to let her marriage crumble. She had always dreamed of being with the man she loved most. This was just a test of strength, and she would show she was worthy of Victor, no matter what it takes!