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With his arms crossed over his chest, Gabriel sneered at me alongside his friends. “Fine, then. When the time comes, everyone here can take turns–one night each. Let’s make it fun.”@
The makeup artist, unable to hold back any longer, stepped forward to defend me.”
“Mr. Prince, Ms. Waller IS having her wedding here today. As a member of the Prince Family, surely you’re aware that Sir Zachary Prince, the head of the family, is marrying Ms. Waller today?“}
Her words landed like a bombshell, silencing the room for a brief moment–before laughter erupted like thunder.” Gabriel’s expression darkened instantly. With a swift kick, he sent the makeup artist sprawling into the corner. Blood trickled down her forehead, but he spared her only a cold, disdainful glance.”
“A lowly makeup artist dares to make up stories using my uncle’s name?”
“Everyone in town knows my uncle is marrying his dream woman today. Spread any more baseless rumors and I’ll rip that lying mouth of yours apart.“”
Gabriel’s reputation for cruelty was infamous across the town. When he made a threat, he meant it.”
The makeup artist turned pale, frozen in place and too terrified to even breathe. Her wide, fearful eyes turned to me, as if pleading for help.
Not wanting to escalate the situation with my wedding just moments away, I decided to let it go and move to another room to fix my makeup.
Before I could leave, Gabriel grabbed my veil in a firm grip and yanked it violently. “This veil was designed personally by my uncle. It even carries his private insignia. Nora, where did you steal it from?“}
The veil had been fastened with hairpins and when it was torn away, I felt a sharp, searing pain as if my scalp had split open.[
my
While serving time in prison for Gabriel, I once had my head bashed open.
I was allergic to anesthesia, so I endured thirty stitches without feeling a shred of pain. But now, the searing pain made
vision blur and darken.
Fighting through the agony, I reached out with trembling hands to grab a corner of the veil and repeated in a low.”
With steady voice, I said, “Gabriel, I’ll say it one more time. Today is MY wedding to your uncle. This veil was custom–made for me by him. I didn’t steal-”
Before I could finish, Gabriel grabbed my face and yanked hard at my lips.
“My uncle is THE head of the Prince Family. Without his permission, even my parents wouldn’t dare utter a single extra word. You said he’s marrying you? A woman who’s been to prison? What makes you think you’re worthy of him?”
“Consider this your warning: if you spread more lies, tearing your mouth apart will be the least of your worries.“}
He shoved me away and I stumbled, crashing into a storage shelf. My grandmother’s memorial photo fell to the ground with a loud thud.
Panic shot through me as I quickly picked it up, carefully dusting off the surface and cradling it close to my chest.
My mother had told me that before Grandma passed, her final wish was to see me get married. She even had this photo taken, smiling her brightest, just for the occasion.[
Now, the wedding hadn’t even started and Gabriel had already ruined it.”
Tears welled up, my resentment simmering just beneath the surface.}
Before I could collect myself, Ellie’s delicate, needy voice echoed from the doorway,
“Nora, I know you don’t want Gabe to marry me, but what’s the point of bringing your Grandma’s memorial photo here to ruin my wedding?”
“Don’t you see? Holding onto that picture is like cursing Gabe’s and my child. All it does is make him hate you even more. Please, Nora, stop this nonsense and give me Grandma’s photo. I’ll take care of it for you.“”
“Get lost! Don’t touch me!” I snapped, my voice sharp with anger.”
Ellie lunged for the photo, but I turned my body to shield it from her grasp. Undeterred, she clung tightly to my arm.” She leaned leaning closer to whisper, her tone dripping with venom, “Nora, now you are capable of crying and grieving? Where was this so–called remorse when you were taking someone’s life?“}
“Did you even think about your precious Grandma while you were committing murder? Did you know that old hag couldn’t even think straight in her final moments, but she was still calling your name?“!
Her words pierced me like a blade, cutting straight into my heart. My fingers trembled uncontrollably from the pain.”
Before I could react, Ellie suddenly grabbed my hand, leaned backward and threw herself to the ground. Her palms scraped against the floor, leaving angry red marks.
