Wedding Turned into Mourning

Herbert stormed over, his face carved from granite, and slapped me across the face.

Behind him, Chloe clung to a disheveled Lori, glaring at me. "If the housekeeper hadn't tipped us off, we'd never have known you were sneaking out. Herbert, make her pay for hurting Lori!"

Herbert's fingers clamped around my throat, squeezing until black spots danced in my vision. "All this over some stupid wedding prank? You tried to frame Lori for an assault in the theater? Gail chased money and got burned. How is it Lori's fault? If I hadn't been there, she'd be ruined, and I'd despise you forever."

I forced a mocking laugh. "What, she's playing the victim now? Didn't she say assault is no big deal? Gail's life meant nothing, but Lori's got you all torn up?"

His grip tightened, and my face contorted in agony. "Gail wasn't even your real sister. Without her weighing you down, you're free. Marry me, and you'll have the life you always wanted."

My eyes blazed with tears, stunning him.

I shoved him off and slapped him hard. "I raised Gail like my own. Blood or not, she was my heart. Yeah, I'm tired of scraping by, but she was never a burden!"

My chest ached as if pierced by a blade. If I hadn't given in to Gail's pleas to stay, she might still be alive, shining as the Woodard family's star.

Herbert's fists clenched, his gaze lingering on the bruises on my neck. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, but Lori grabbed his hand, saying, "Your fiancée's spoiled rotten. Still going to coddle her? She's got you whipped."

His face hardened at her words. Lori smirked, her voice syrupy as she leaned in. "You're such a hopeless romantic. When a girl's pissed, you don't grovel. Let me handle her; I know women best."

She swung his hand playfully. "Worried I'll get hurt? Then ditch this marriage."

He pulled his hand free, and her eyes flickered.

She stomped toward me and hissed, "You know, when I pushed Gail off that balcony, her eyes burned with the same hatred you've got. You really think she jumped? It was supposed to be you they attacked, but she overheard my plan."

I lunged, my hands closing around her throat, squeezing with every ounce of rage. Taking her chance, she shoved a knife into my hand and screamed, "Herbert, she's got a knife!"

He charged, his boot slamming into my side. "You're out of your mind! Lori is trying to make peace, and you're hurting her?"