Chapter.3
910 Words
“No… no, this can’t be true!”
The words echoed in Garrett’s head, choking him, stealing his breath. Rage burned through him like wildfire as he paced the room, his thoughts spiraling out of control.
How could they drop his profile for her?
“No! No!” he shouted, his voice cracking.
On the other end of the line, Sherlock stiffened. She had never heard him like this before.
“Mr. Garrett… is everything alright?” she asked cautiously.
The line went dead.
Sherlock stared at her phone, confused and unsettled. His reaction felt wrong…. unnatural. Something was terribly off.
Garrett sank into his chair, his chest tight.
Edward Jones had taken her.
Edward.
And it was his fault.
He had sold her off in a contract marriage, convinced it would erase her from his life forever. He never imagined this outcome. Never imagined watching the woman he loved….yet denied, stand beside another man.
Worse, that man was Edward.
“God… what have I done?”
Regret clawed at him, tearing him apart. He couldn’t accept this. Either she canceled the contract…or she didn’t marry at all.
Driven by desperation, he grabbed his phone and dialed.
“Hello… kindly…” His voice failed him.
“Hello?” I asked. “Are you there?”
Silence.
He clenched his fist, forcing the words out.
“It’s fine,” he said hoarsely.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Jones. Go ahead… marry him.”
He ended the call before I could respond.
The words tasted bitter, like anger disguised as surrender.
Tomorrow, I will be a wife…to a man whose voice I barely knew.
God… was I losing my mind?
This wasn’t my dream. Not on earth, not in heaven. But it was the sacrifice I had to make to save my mother.
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The next day came too fast.
Everything felt wrong…too bright, too loud. My hands trembled as I held the pen before the pastor. Edward sat across from me, calm, composed, smiling like this was a game he had already won.
Why did he look so pleased?
We signed the papers. No love. No joy. Just survival.
At the far end of the hall sat my boss and colleagues, glowing in luxury that should have been mine. If only my promotion had been approved. If only my salary had been raised. Instead, they laughed while I bled inside.
When the pastor said, “You may kiss the bride,” my stomach dropped.
Do it for Mum.
The room fell silent.
I turned…and my eyes found Garrett, standing at the back of the hall.
Tears spilled freely. Edward followed my gaze and smiled, amused. Garrett’s expression was unreadable, wounded… haunted.
Why did he look at Edward like that?
Before I could think, Edward pulled me into a kiss. It was harsh, cold. He bit my tongue, pain shooting through me. I recoiled instinctively, but the crowd erupted in cheers, replaying the moment on their phones as though love had bloomed.
I sat there shaking, broken, wearing a smile for a life I never chose.
Then I saw him in the reflection.
“Frances.”
My little boy ran toward me, joy lighting his face.
“Mummy!”
I gathered him into my arms, tears blurring my vision.
“My baby… I’ve missed you.”
He pulled back, hurt flashing across his face.
“You didn’t tell me you were getting married.”
My heart trembled. I hugged him tighter.
“Shhh… be happy, my love.”
His fists clenched.
“But Mum… not him. Not Uncle Edward.”
I froze.
“Uncle… Edward?”
Memories crashed in…Garrett shouting Edward’s name, the strange tension between them.
I held Frances’s shoulders.
“What’s Edward’s relationship with your daddy?”
“He’s Daddy’s best friend,” Frances whispered.
“Like a brother. And… he works as Daddy’s assistant.”
The ground vanished beneath my feet.
“You’re sure?” I asked desperately.
He nodded.
“I swear, Mummy.”
The hall blurred. Edward’s smug smile, the clapping guests…it all faded.
How did my life turn into something so cruel, so twisted?
Then a voice cut through the noise.
“Come here! The newest bride!”
My boss beamed as I approached.
“Congratulations, Sherlock. You caught the best man.”
I smiled thinly.
She leaned closer.
“Your salary will be raised by 30%.”
Applause followed..but disgust twisted my stomach.
Then she added softly,
“To secure the full increment, you’ll also need to prove yourself… as a mother.”
My chest tightened. She knew about my mother’s illness…and still celebrated this.
“Let the celebration begin!” she announced.
The noise felt suffocating.
Moments later, she asked,
“Where is your husband? Go get him—we need a toast.”
Husband. The word burned.
Frances tugged my hand.
“Mummy… I saw him. He went to meet my dad.”
Garrett.
A chill ran through me. Holding Frances’s hand, I followed the direction he pointed.
The hallway was quiet, the celebration fading behind us.
Then I heard voices.
Edward.
Garrett.
I froze, pulling Frances behind me as their words reached my ears.
What I heard next…what I was never meant to hear…pierced straight through my heart, like a stone dropped into deep water.
And that moment, I knew...
My breath caught, my body stiffened. I pressed a hand against my chest, but it did nothing to soothe the sharp ache blooming there.
- Writer
