For Her Sake, He Married Me

There was no cash inside the safe, just a single brown file folder and a photo album. Cecelia opened the folder first. It was an investigation report about her father's car accident.

As she skimmed the cold words on the paper, a few key lines stood out and seared into their mind.

"…Upon review, the driver's blood alcohol content far exceeded the threshold for driving under the influence…"

All the documents and evidence were there, complete.

Cecelia's fingers shook violently as she held the papers, her knuckles straining under the pressure. Francis had used his expertise and power to carefully fake evidence, clearing the real culprit of all criminal charges.

Melody, who was driving under the influence.

All just to protect the bright future of his precious childhood friend.

Before he died, her father had held Francis's hand, his eyes cloudy but full of hope. "Fran… I'm leaving Celia to you… Take care of her…for life…"

Francis had knelt by the bed, eyes red, his voice choked but determined. "Don't worry, sir! I swear, I'll protect her with my life. I will never let her down!"

The promise still echoed in her ears.

But the one he protected was the person who killed her father! The one he refused to let down was Melody!

The crash that stole her only family and changed her entire life was nothing but a problem that might affect the career of his so-called childhood friend.

A tidal wave of grief and absurdity swallowed Cecelia whole.

Her chest was cramped with pain as she held it tightly, but the taste of blood still filled her throat. She numbly copied and photographed every piece of evidence.

Then, she picked up the photo album from the safe and opened it. It was full of photos of Francis and Melody, from their school days up until now. In every photo, Melody leaned into Francis, her smile bright and happy.

The most recent one was from just last month, even. The background was a beach at a foreign resort. Melody wore a revealing bikini, arms wrapped around Francis's neck, planting a clear kiss on his cheek.

He didn't push her away or look annoyed. Rather, he had turned toward her slightly, lips forming a smile, his eyes filled with an indulgence Cecelia had never seen before.

Her heart felt like it was being pierced again and again, until all that was left was a gaping, frozen hole.

At this moment, every suspicion and every pain was confirmed in the cruelest way possible.

This home now felt like a prison.

Using the last of her strength, she went to her studio downtown. That was the only space left that was truly hers.

However, Cecelia had just sat down when a commotion broke out outside.