Chapter 7
When I made my way back to Cloudville, the skies were anything but cooperative. It was raining cats and dogs, but I soldiered on through the downpour to my old digs.
If I hadn’t come to this flat that day, I’d have bet my bottom dollar that Lucas would’ve made short work of chucking all my stuff out. Little did I know, he’d already broken his word like a promise made in jest.
Upon swinging open the door, I was met with a sight that sent chills down my spine. My belongings were strewn all over the room. I dashed to the bedroom, where an open wooden box lay on the floor, revealing a bracelet inside, its delicate links snapped in several pieces.
Out of the blue, a chilling laugh echoed from behind me. I spun around to find Jessica standing there.
“You broke my bracelet?!” I demanded, cradling the shattered pieces in my hands.
Jessica sneered at me, her voice dripping with venom. “Only if you didn’t intend to marry Lucas. You don’t deserve him! Just another gold–digging tramp trying to cash in on his wealth and fame. This is a wake–up call for you. Your dreams of riches are as dead as a doornail now, huh?”
I stared at her in disbelief, stammering, “You didn’t lose your
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memory, did you?”
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Jessica grinned and suddenly clutched my hand, pressing the bracelet shards into her palm. Then, she let out a piercing scream. “Ah! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to! Ms. Hanks, I thought Lucas had another woman. I had no idea it was your flat! Please, please don’t hurt me!”
I turned to see Lucas, who brushed me aside with one hand while holding Jessica’s with tender care in the other.
Jessica was sobbing, her eyes wide with fear as she nestled into Lucas‘ embrace.
“Lucas, I’m fine. Don’t be mad at Ms. Hanks. She was just too hasty. She didn’t mean to cut me with those pieces.” She wailed pitifully.
Lucas‘ eyes blazed with fury as he glared at me. “Natalie, you evil witch! Apologize to Jessica right now!”
I rolled my eyes and said, “It wasn’t me.”
Jessica chimed in, “I know Ms. Hanks is still upset with me. Lucas, if she says it wasn’t her, then let’s just drop it.”
“You even became a liar! If it wasn’t you, who else could it be? There’s only the three of us here! Did Jessica do it to herself?” he roared.
I sneered and stepped forward, slapping Jessica hard across the face. I rubbed my wrist and said, “Since you’re accusing me, I
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might as well own up to it properly.”
Lucas lunged at me, grasping my wrist. “How dare you lay a hand on her!”
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I tried to wrench my arm free, but with Lucas‘ years of regular exercise, my efforts were futile.
“Let go of me!” I screamed.
He shoved me to the floor and viciously pinned my hand down on the remaining bracelet fragments.
The shards dug into my palm, tiny droplets of blood seeping out.
“I’ll hurt you the same way you hurt her!” he threatened me with a sneer.
Then, he scooped up Jessica and comforted her. “Natalie, I’ll wait for you to see the error of your ways and change. Come back to your senses. I’ll be here expecting a new you in a year.”
As I looked up, I saw Jessica’s triumphant grin.
Just outside the door, Benjamin’s driver caught sight of Lucas hastily whisking Jessica away and sensed trouble. He burst in, taking in my injured state with a helpless sigh. “Sorry, Mrs. Russell. I’m late.”
I glanced down at my wound, my voice ice–cold and composed. “No, you don’t have to be sorry for the crime you didn’t commit, but they do.”
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Benjamin’s overseas project was still unfinished. He’d planned to delay his return with me to Cloudville. Not wanting to disturb him, I’d intended to handle it alone. So, he’d instructed his driver to bring me here instead. Little did I know Lucas‘ paranoia would run so deep.
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