The Billionaire's Vengeful Bride

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM LUCY Life had felt simple before that night. I thought the biggest problem in my world was whether my hair looked good enough for a gala or if my sister would scold me for not taking things seriously. I had no way of knowing that before the evening ended, everything I loved would be brutally taken away from me. It all started with music. I had been in my room, swaying to Coldplay's" Something Just Like This", which was only half heard through my earbuds, as I wriggled into a fitted blue dress. With lips mouthing I want something just like this, and my hair brush doubling as a microphone, the mirror reflected someone carefree. For those few stolen minutes, nothing else mattered. Then my sister walked in. “Lucy!” I turned, while tugging one earbud out. Claire leaned against the doorframe, looking all polish and poise with her hair swept into a chignon. The diamond on her finger sparkled brightly. Her eyes widened at me like I was a criminal. “You’re not ready yet? You haven’t even done your makeup?” my sister blasted. Gesturing at my dress, I chirped. “I’m ready,” She stepped inside then. “And your hair is like that?” she asked as she shut the door behind her. “Don' t you understand how important tonight is?” I rolled my eyes. “Why are you always such a killjoy?” “Because,” she said, snatching the brush from my hand, “this is the night we’re reintroduced into high society. Dad just landed the Vandermere contract. That means every powerful family in the city will be at that gala. You can’t show up like… this.” “I know.” I flopped onto the bed. “But whether I brush my hair or not, they’ll still talk.” She sighed, already smoothing my hair into a quick bun. Claire always cared about appearances. She'd always been polished, an epitome of perfect and the total opposite of me. She’d secured a fiancé by twenty three, while I still tripped over heels. Her voice softened. “Hold still.” And right after she said that, we heard a bit of ruckus outside my door. There was a heavy sound of footsteps thundering through the hall. I froze. “Did you hear that?” Claire lifted her head, and stopped with my hair. A deep and strained voice, roared from below. “Get the girls! Now!” Dad. My stomach dropped. Before we could move, the hallway erupted with more noise, such as, crashing furniture, glass shattering and the voice of mom pleading. The door burst open then. Mom rushed over to us as we scrambled to get out of bed. She was pale and trembling in her evening gown. “Stay behind me,” she ordered, her mumble shaky as she pulled us close. “Mom? What’s happening? Where’s Dad?” Claire asked. She didn’t answer. Her grip only tightened. The next moment, Dad stumbled inside. He was shoved forward by a masked man. Four more stormed in behind him. “Lucy! Claire!” Dad’s voice broke as he lunged toward us, only to be struck down by a blow. I shook so hard I could barely stand. “Dad?” The leader stepped forward, and said in a booming voice. “Is this all of them?” “All here,” one of the others replied. “Good. Mr. Maddox wants no loose ends.” Everything in me froze up with fright. Mom screamed when a gun was drawn. Claire clutched me, trembling. “Please!” Dad raised his hands. “Take me! Hurt me if you must, just let my family go!” The only answer was a savage punch that sent him sprawling. Two others grabbed Claire and Mom, binding their wrists with plastic ties. “Stop!” I cried, rushing forward. A gloved hand slammed me back against the wall. Pain shot through my skull as I slid to the floor. My wrists were yanked behind me and tied. Dad’s broken sobs filled the room as they beat him. My mother’s pleas grew frantic. Then one of them seized me. “Hold her.” “No!” I kicked and thrashed. Panic clawed through me. The barrel of a gun pressed to my head. “Scream again, princess, and I’ll splatter your brains on this wall. You want that huh? You want that?” I froze instantly then managed to shake my head. “Good girl.” His breath was hot on my ear and I cringed. Then, his big hands began to roam around my body, from my chest down to my stomach, tears began to drop from my eyes, and I vaugly heard screaming. “Don’t touch her!” Claire pleaded. “She’s just a kid! Take me instead!” The man chuckled. “You volunteering, sweetheart?” “Yes,” Claire said quickly, “Just… let her go.” They shoved me down and my knees cracked against the floor. Helpless, I watched as they dragged Claire forward. Her cries where incessant. I looked at Dad, wondering why he was still lying there, why he couldn't do anything, but he was also helpless. He wept and begged while they violated her, and then my mother too. I wanted to shut my eyes, but I couldn’t. Their pain carved itself into my memory. When it ended, Claire collapsed with a gasp. While Mom shook with silent sobs. The leader turned to Dad. “You talk too much.” The gunshot was deafening. Dad crumpled. “No!” I screamed. Mom’s scream was silenced by another shot. Blood pooled across the floor. Claire trembled, clutching her chest when the third bullet hit. “I’ve been hit,” she gasped. I screamed again, my voice breaking until I couldn’t breathe. "Clariie!!!" I cried. "What have you done? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE." The gun was aimed at me then, but I was stop distraught for my survival instincts to kick in. Right then, I heard the sound of sirens in a distance. It seemed they heard it too because someone shouted, “Let’s go!” Thier boots thundered away as they ran, leaving us in the wreckage. I crawled toward Claire, dragging my aching body across the blood slick floor. “Hold on. Please hold on.” I choked, trying to avoid the now lifeless bodies of my parents. When I got to her, she was still breathing and her eyes were open. "Claire." "F...fire." She managed. I sniffed and the smoke hit my nose instantly. Our house was on fire. With some kind of strength I didn't know I could possess at such a time, somehow, I dragged her outside and laid her on the lawn. The siren sounds where closer now. I pressed my hands against her wound, sobbing. “Stay with me.” She coughed, getting weaker by the second. The medics arrived. And the firefighters stormed the house. “My parents…” I muttered tearfully, “They’re in there.” They all ran towards the building. But I knew there's was nothing they could do to save them. The strength drained from me. As I collapsed soon after. But one name burned in my mind. Mr. Maddox. Then everything went black.