###Chapter 1
392 Words
Everyone in Denver knew Ramona Mahoney was crazy about Jermaine Bauer—so far gone she'd lost all pride and self-respect.
On their wedding day, Jermaine left Ramona the moment his unforgettable love Tamera Alvarado called. He took their wedding car and drove to the airport to pick her up instead.
The wedding Ramona had waited three years for became her worst nightmare.
That same day, Jermaine's enemies kidn*pped her to humiliate him. For three days and nights, they tortured her.
In the end, they stripped her naked and tied her to a ship's deck, live-streaming the entire ordeal in a brutal attempt to make Jermaine suffer.
The salty sea wind left her shivering.
She had cried and pleaded for mercy, her pride crushed.
Yet Jermaine married Tamera instead without a second thought on that very same day.
"Jermaine," one of the kidnappers taunted over the broadcast,"give us one million dollars, and we'll let your fiancée go. Otherwise, we'll feed her to the sharks!"
Their ultimatum was laced with nothing but mockery.
Jermaine scoffed,"Just a ruined woman. Why should I care if she lives or dies?"
Ramona froze at Jermaine's words.
Ruined woman? She never imagined such language would come from Jermaine's mouth.
For years, Ramona had remained chaste for Jermaine, knowing his reputation for fastidiousness.
For three years, she lived by his word, ready to die if he asked.
She believed he at least owed her some remorse.
But Jermaine actually saw her this way.
Jermaine hung up. Enraged, the kidnapper ordered her thrown into the sea.
Suddenly, Ramona saw the cruel joke of her existence.
The whole city knew she was Tamera's replacement. She gave up her pride, ignored the gossip, and even cared for Jermaine's grandmother—all just to marry him, always putting him first.
For three years, she worked to win his love, thinking she had succeeded, only to realize she'd been paving the way for someone else.
As despairing tears fell, Ramona closed her eyes.
If given another chance, she'd stay far away from Jermaine.
***
"No way! She actually jumped! That's insane!" someone exclaimed.
"Why try so hard? Even if it was Mr. Bauer's ring, was it worth diving in?" another voice mocked.
"Everyone knows Ramona's obsessed with Mr. Bauer. She'd probably strip naked and dance for him if he asked," a third person jeered.
- Writer
