Chapter 9
On the day of the wedding, before I could head to the venue, Annie contacted me. Her voice was dark and unhinged.
“You bitch! This is all your fault!”
Before I could ask questions, she hung up. Confused, I boarded the wedding car.
When we arrived, my heart sank. This wasn’t the venue Antonio and I had chosen.
The driver yanked the door open and dragged me out.
Henry stood holding white roses. Taking my hand from the driver, he gazed at me tenderly. “Cynthia, I’ve finally married you.”
I frowned, pulling free.
“Henry, you’re insane. Today is my wedding with Antonio. Take me back.”
His face twisted. He seized my wrist and dragged me toward the chapel, crushing me against his chest.
The doors swung open. My eyes widened.
Annie was tied to a post in the hall, covered in wounds. Seeing
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Chapter 9
Henry and me, she screamed, “Cynthia, you old hag! Let me go!
“This is your fault! Why won’t you die? If it weren’t for you, I’d have married Henry ages ago! Slut! Whore! Why drag him back after leaving?!”
Henry strode forward and slapped her hard.
“Shut up. Apologize to Cynthia.”
Tears streamed down Annie’s face as she pleaded, “Henry, I’m the one who loves you! She doesn’t! How could you do this? Don’t you remember proposing to me under the fireworks?”
Henry glanced at me, panic flashing across his face. He turned back to Annie, cold. “You want your videos with those guys leaked online? Apologize properly, and I’ll delete them.”
Annie trembled. Sobbing, she choked out, “Ms. Mitchell… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have drugged your drink. Please forgive me!”
Henry smiled at me, “See, Cynthia? I fired her. Made her apologize. I’ve met your demands. Will you marry me now?”
Meeting his hopeful gaze, I frowned, “No.”
As Henry’s rage flared, I cut him off, “When I loved you, I tolerated everything. But now? Nothing you do matters. You disgust me.”
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I turned to Annie. “Do you even realize what you’ve done? The police are on their way. Better start planning your defense.”
Chapter 9
“When did you call them?!” Henry lunged for my arm. I dodged.
Forcing a smile, he said, “Cynthia, you’ve got it wrong. Annie came willingly. I’d never force her. You know me.”
I scoffed.
“I don’t care if this is an act. But you handed me that drugged drink. That’s the fact. The police will hear everything.”
Annie suddenly broke free, brandishing a knife. “Cynthia, die!”
I heard the blade pierce flesh. Blood bloomed brightly.
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Henry stared at me, eyes brimming with longing and love. “Cynthia…
I just wanted us to be together. To marry you…”
He collapsed, unconscious from pain.
Outside, sirens wailed.
