V
I didn’t stay to watch their confrontation. My time was up. Hugo’s car was waiting at the door. I ran outside and opened the car door. Anthony tried to grab me, but Sonia clung to him, holding him back.
“Scram!” Sonia shrieked, shoving him aside.
As I settled into Hugo’s car, I recalled that night at the police station.
Hugo closed the car windows, shutting out the noise outside. He asked gently, “Are you okay?”
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Chapter 7
+25 BONUS
I smiled faintly. “I’m fine.”
Through the rearview mirror, I saw Anthony pounding on the car window, his face desperate. His muffled shouts couldn’t penetrate the car’s soundproofing.
The car started, and I leaned against the window. In the mirror, Anthony ran after the car, his movements frantic. Eventually, he disappeared from view, and I closed
my eyes.
That night, on the eve of my wedding, I was startled awake by a knock at the door.
The housekeeper entered, carrying a glass of milk. “Miss, someone’s outside. Your mother asked us to make sure he doesn’t see you.” She obviously pitied the man and hesitated before adding, “But I thought you should know.”
Curious, I went to the window and saw Anthony leaning against a car. The ground around him was littered with cigarette butts. When he looked up, and our eyes met, his vacant expression lit up with hope.
I drew the curtains and told the housekeeper to chase him away.
There was a commotion outside as Anthony shouted my name, his voice hoarse and desperate. He and the butler struggled for a dozen minutes until there was a rumble of thunder.
The butler returned, disheveled and sweating.
“He’s still begging to see you, Miss,” he said anxiously.
“Ignore him,” I replied firmly.
It started to rain, the downpour drowning out his voice. I assumed he’d left, but in the middle of the night, the thunderstorm woke me. I peeked outside to see Anthony still standing there, drenched and shivering, his eyes fixed on my bedroom window.
Belated affection is worth less than grass.
I went back to bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, there was no trace of him outside. The makeup artist complimented my glowing complexion and said I looked beautiful in any makeup. Yet the woman in the mirror showed no sign of joy.
Hugo drove me to the wedding. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather perfect, and applause rang out as I walked down the aisle. Under my parents‘ delighted gaze, Hugo held my hand, and the ring came closer to my finger.
Chapter 7
+25 BONUS
“Wait!”
The voices and music stopped abruptly. Everyone turned to see Anthony. He was dressed in a new suit, but his face was pale and haggard. His eyes were dull, his cheeks sunken, but he moved forward step by step. The bodyguards blocked him.
Even the head of the Leeman family, present among the guests, glared at him in fury.
Anthony dropped to one knee. “Celine, marry me. Come home with me.”
The crowd erupted in whispers and gasps.
I forced a smile and turned to Hugo. “Why haven’t you put the ring on for me yet?”
Hugo slid the diamond ring onto my finger.
Anthony remained on his knees, shaking. His hand, holding a small ring, trembled violently.
Lifting the hem of my dress, I walked toward him.
Anthony’s eyes lit look scary.
up
with hope, but they were bloodshot and unsteady, making him
picked up the ring from his hand and tossed it onto the lawn. “It’s too late.”
Anthony’s face contorted with anguish as he stood abruptly, pulling out a dagger.
The guests in the front row gasped, and chaos erupted. Anthony’s movements were fast, but he wasn’t coming for me–he was aiming for Hugo.
“Be careful!” I shouted, rushing to intervene, but I was too late.
