Chapter 8
In vouice full of anguish, Zachary asked, “Gabriel, was there even a single word I said that was a lie?”
Gabriel, silent and seething, clenched his jaw so tightly it hurt, but he couldn’t bring himself to refute a single word. His silence was a tacit admission of his own despicable actions.”
It was only then that everyone who had learned the truth began to react, their voices rising in condemnation.”
“My God, so Ms. Waller sacrificed her own innocence to protect Gabriel? And not only did he let those false rumors spread, but after she got out of prison, he went and married Ellie!”
“How can there be such a shameless man in this world? Ms. Waller’s love was completely wasted on him.”
“You’re a disgrace to all men! If I’d known this was what was going on, I wouldn’t have come to this damn wedding! It’s disgusting.“%
As Gabriel stood there, unable to even lift his head, the friends who had once stood by his side and joined in slandering me now turned on him, hurling insults at him.”
His head felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, too heavy to raise, his hands clenched into fists, powerless to stop the barrage of accusations calling him an ungrateful, false gentleman./
Zachary didn’t spare Gabriel another glance. He wrapped his arms around me and headed for the door, his voice cold and menacing as he threw one final warning over his shoulder.”
“Anyone who has offended Nory today, even a single fly, I will make sure you wish you were never born.“/
Ellie was instantly terrified, collapsing to the ground in a heap, her eyes red from crying as she pleaded, “Nora, Nora, I was wrong! I was blind and offended you. Please, please, let Zachary… no, please, let Zachary spare me! I beg of you!”
As she spoke, she bowed her head with force, blood trickling from her forehead, but she didn’t stop.
Seeing this, the others quickly dropped to their knees, begging for forgiveness and slapping themselves in shame. The men who had torn at my wedding dress trembled, promising to maim themselves as punishment.//
But Gabriel stood motionless, his eyes fixed on me, frustration written all over his face as he said, “Nora, I thought you were just saying you’d marry someone to spite me. You promised you would only marry me in this lifetime.”
I tightened my hold around Zachary’s neck and let out a mocking laugh. “Gabriel, what are you talking about? Do you really think you’re worthy of being my man?”
To my surprise, my words seemed to strike a chord with him and I saw a brief flash of sorrow in Gabriel’s eyes. Still refusing to give up, he took two steps closer, desperation in his voice.”
“Nora, I know you don’t love him. You were willing to take the fall for me, which means the one you truly love is me, not him. Please, stop lying to yourself.”
“As long as you’re willing to soften up… Nory, I promise I won’t marry Ellie and today’s wedding will only be with you-” *Slap!* Before Gabriel could finish, Zachary’s hand struck him across the face.”
“How dare you! Gabriel, is this how your parents taught you to speak to your elders?“}
The mention of “elders” seemed to hit a nerve with Gabriel. He looked at me with a pained expression, his eyes pleading, waiting for me to say something./
I turned my gaze away in silence, refusing to look at him.”
Noticing my disgust, Zachary gently pulled me away, helped me change into fresh clothes and took me to the hospital. After I had my wound dressed, we came out just in time to see Zachary on the phone, apologizing to each guest who had come today, telling them the wedding would be postponed until next month.”
A wave of bitterness washed over me. I hadn’t even officially joined the Prince Family, yet I had already caused so much trouble.”
“Zachary, maybe we should just cancel the wedding…”
Before I could finish the word “cancel,” Zachary placed his finger on my lips, his brow furrowed as he looked at me with a hurt expression.
“Nory, are you blaming me for not protecting you? Is that why you don’t want me anymore?”
I hadn’t realized that my guilt would be interpreted this way. Panicking, I quickly explained, “No, that’s not it. I just feel like I’m not worthy of you.”
