CHAPTER 5: Blood-stained vows

AUDREY

Richard tightened his grip around my hands as we stood in front of the priest. I didn't return the smile, my breath catching as I stared at some strange men with dark sunshades, scattered among the congregation.

I leaned close to Richard, nibbling at my lips as tension surged through my veins, “You see those guys with dark sunshades?” I whispered, clutching tight to my wedding roses.

"Yeah," Richard exhaled, his eyes piercing through the crowd, "They're almost camouflaged in the crowd and I have a really bad feeling,"

My chest tightened, heart racing fast, “What do we do?” I asked, but Richard didn't reply. My brows squinted, puzzled why Richard was suddenly ignoring me, but then he turned to the priest.

“Miss. Sinclair, can you hear me?” The priest said, snapping me back to the present.

“Yeah… yes, I can hear you,” I replied with a sheepish grin on my face.

“Do you, Audrey Sinclair, take this man, Richard Howard, to be your lawfully wedded—” the priest cleared his throat as he continued but I quickly cut him short.

“Yes, I do.”

A wave of murmurs swept across the congregation. Richard smirked sharply and said "I do," before the priest could even say anything.

The murmurs quickly erupted into cheers as the congregation clapped, seeing how hurried we were to exchange the vows.

The priest pronounced us husband and wife, and in that moment, my eyes darted to the middle row as the men left their seats and headed to the back.

As soon as the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride,” I pulled Richard closer to myself.

“The men in the middle row just left their seats now,” I whispered, my jaw tightened, "we have to be quick so we can warn my father.”

“I know,” Richard whispered back as he crashed his lips briefly on mine, followed by a loud cheer.

Suddenly, a deafening sound sliced through the air, causing panic among the crowd.

The men in dark sunglasses—they were robbers. They pointed their pistols at the ceiling and shot twice, sending fear through everyone's chests as we all ducked for safety.

“Nobody moves!” One of them, who appeared to be the leader, barked.

Richard held me tightly as I shut my eyes, confused how they were able to make it through the security outside.

“Now bring out every cash and jewellery you have, so I don't have to blow your brains out!” The leader barked again, trailing his pistol at the people.

Slowly, everyone complied and carefully brought out all their money and jewellery as the other robbers collected them.

“Hey! What the fuck did I just say?” He growled at one of the guests, “I said fucking everything!”

My hands trembled as I heard the leader barking. I raised my head slowly as he stopped, but in that moment, his eyes met mine.

“Hey couples, are you two brain dead or something?” he growled, pointing his pistol at us as he approached. “I said give me every cash you have!"

“We don't have any cash on us,” Richard said calmly, clutching me tightly.

Then, the leader pulled his hand down as his gaze shifted to the diamond rings on our fingers.

“Well, those look expensive,” he said, stretching out his hand. “Give me your rings!”

Without questioning, I began to remove my ring to give it to him, but Richard held my hand instantly.

“I'm sorry,” Richard said, “but I can't give you our rings. We just got married.”

My lashes flickered upwards as I turned to Richard, pupils stretched in total daze.

“Have you lost your mind?” I whispered, smacking him on the arm, “he's got a fucking gun!” but Richard didn't flinch.

“Are you fucking crazy?” The leader roared, baffled as he pointed the pistol directly at Richard's face, “Give me the fucking rings, or let her watch me blow your brains out!"

“I can't—” Richard replied completely stoic as he glared at the leader. Suddenly, a wide smirk played on the leader's face as he lowered his weapon.

In that moment, Richard sprang up to his feet and lunged at him. In a flash, the leader pulled the trigger and shot him in the left shoulder.

“No!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as Richard groaned and stumbled backwards. Every single person gave out a terrifying gasp of horror.

“Please,” I sobbed, struggling to take off my ring, “you can have mine,”

Then one of the robbers ran toward us and whispered to the leader, We have enough cash now, " and the cops are on their way. We need to move, now!”

Immediately, the leader ran off with his men and the bag without waiting to collect my ring.

“Help!” I cried as soon as the robbers had left, “Somebody help me! He's losing too much blood.”

My heart sank as I pressed my veil on the injured spot, attempting to stop the bleeding but it wasn't working.

“This is all my fault!” I sobbed, tears dripping on my blood-stained dress as my fingers trembled, “I shouldn't have dragged you into any of this!”

Richard groaned, his chest heaving as blood continued to pour from his left shoulder. He held my hand tight.

My dad rushed to the scene and ordered some of his men to carry Richard to the car and take him to the hospital.

My white wedding dress was completely drenched in blood. Everyone in the church scattered to their various homes, leaving only me, my dad and his bodyguards.

"We tried to stop the,m sir," one of my dad's security men said, as I rushed outside, "They were too many of them and they all had AK-style rifles. We didn't stand a chance."

“Dad, what is going on?” I said, tears rolling down my face as he cuddled me tightly. “Who's doing this to us?”

“I don't know, dear, but I promise I'll find them.” my dad soothed, stroking my hair gently.

Moments later, I entered the hospital, still wearing my blood-stained wedding dress as the nurses rushed Richard to the emergency ward.

My fingers tightened against each other as I shut my eyes. The metallic stench of antiseptics stung deep, mingling with the cold atmosphere.

I clutched my belly, as a series of uneven breaths escaped my lungs. In a short while, a young nurse stepped out of the ward.

"Nurse," I gasped, leaping to my feet, "Is he going to be fine,"

The nurse forced a smile, " Probably,"

My stomach twisted instantly, " Probably...?" I muttered, scratching my scalp, "What the fuck do you mean probably, nurse?"

"The injury was a lot serious than we thought," She said, "We're going to perform surgery on him."