CHAPTER 4 : “I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO KEEP YOU…OR RUIN YOU.”

Sarah didn’t sleep. She sat with the laptop on her lap, staring at the message. The screen glowed in the dark.

“Your parents didn’t die by accident. And you’re next if you don’t stay silent.”

Her heart pounded. Her breath came in short gasps. She shut the laptop. Locked it in a drawer. Then got up and went straight to Andrew’s room.

She didn’t knock.

She just pushed the door open.

Andrew sat on the edge of his bed, shirtless, and holding a glass of whiskey again. His tie was still around his neck, loosened, and his hair messy.

He looked annoyed.

“What the hell?”

She walked in, holding her phone.

“Read this,” she said.

“I don’t read things people throw in my face,” he said.

“I’m not playing.”

He grabbed the phone. Scanned the screen. His eyes darkened.

“Who sent this?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “It came from nowhere. No name. No number. Just that.”

Andrew tossed the phone on the bed and Got up.

“Is this some kind of game?” he asked.

“What?”

“You're faking this? Trying to make me feel guilty now?”

Her mouth dropped open. “You think I made this up?”

“I don’t know what you want from me.”

“I want to live.”

He stepped closer.

“No one’s coming after you,” he said.

“You don’t know that.”

“I know you like playing the victim. It works well on people.”

She slapped him hard, but he didn't flinch.

His jaw tightened.

“I am not playing anything,” she said. “I got dragged into your life. Into your lies. And now someone’s threatening me.”

“You’re not in danger.”

“You don’t know that!”

He stepped back. He Picked up his whiskey.

“If it makes you feel better,” he said, “I’ll have security check it.”

“I’m not looking for your protection,” she spat. “I just want the truth.”

He took a long sip and Looked away.

“There’s no truth. Just pain.”

---

The next day, everything moved fast.

Maids cleaned. Stylists arrived. A box with a dress lay on Sarah’s bed.

She stared at it.

Another gala. Another night of pretending.

She dressed slowly. The dress was dark red, off shoulder, it was tight at the waist. Her hair was styled in waves. Her lips were painted red. Her neck is bare.

Andrew waited downstairs in a black tuxedo. He didn’t say a word when he saw her. He Just nodded and Turned and walked out.

In the car, silence filled the space.

She turned to him.

“About last night…”

“Drop it.”

“I won’t.”

“I said drop it.”

She looked away.

He stared out the window, his jaw clenched.

---

The gala was louder than the last.

Brighter.

The flashes hit her eyes as soon as they stepped out of the car.

Andrew placed his hand on her waist.

She flinched, but didn’t move.

“Smile,” he whispered.

She tried.

Inside, people turned to look. Some smiled. Others stared. The whispers came quickly.

“That’s the wife.”

“The girl from nowhere.”

“She doesn’t belong here.”

Andrew led her to the center of the hall. Music played. Glasses clinked. Waiters moved with trays.

Then she saw her.

The Tall,Blonde and Blue eyes girl. She is Dressed in gold.

Lena.

The ex.

The same woman she overheard that night.

She walked up to them. Smiling wide.

“Andrew,” she said sweetly.

He nodded. “Lena.”

Her eyes moved to Sarah. Her gaze Cold and Sharp.

“And this must be the bride,” she said. “I’ve seen your pictures. They didn’t do you justice.”

Sarah tried to smile.

Lena leaned closer. “You wear desperation well.”

Sarah’s smile faded.

Andrew said nothing.

Lena laughed softly. “I guess we all do strange things for business.”

Sarah stiffened.

“Enough, Lena,” Andrew said.

“Oh, come on,” Lena said. “She knows, doesn’t she? That she’s just part of the game.”

Sarah stepped back. “What did you mean by that?”

Lena shrugged. “Nothing, dear. Just that some marriages aren’t made in heaven.”

She turned and walked away.

Sarah turned to Andrew.

“Say something,” she whispered.

“What do you want me to say?”

“That I’m not a pawn.”

He said nothing.

Tears burned behind her eyes. She turned and walked away.

---

Outside, the air was cold. She stood near a fountain, her heels clicking on the marble. She took a deep breath.

She Is Humiliated Again. She wanted to scream but she heard footsteps. She turned.

Andrew.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“I needed air.”

“You walked out in front of everyone.”

“I’m sure they loved the drama.”

“You made a scene.”

“No,” she said. “Your ex did.”

He walked closer.

“Why didn’t you say something?” she asked.

“To who?”

“To her. To them.”

“I didn’t owe them anything.”

“You owed me.”

He looked at her.

Then he said, “Come inside.”

“No.”

“You’re my wife.”

“In name.”

He grabbed her arm.

“Let go,” she said.

He didn’t. She protested and pulled back.

“Why do you do this?” she asked. “Why humiliate me, then act like you care?”

“I don’t care,” he said.

“Then let me go.”

He didn’t move.

People were watching now.

He looked around. Then did something that made the whole room freeze.

He pulled her close.

“She’s not a pawn,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. “She’s my wife. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can leave.”

There was Silence which was followed by whispers.

He turned and Led her back inside.

Her heart raced.

She didn’t understand what just happened.

---

In the car, the silence reigned again.

She stared at her hands.

“Why did you do that?” she asked.

He didn’t answer.

“You hate me.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“You use me.”

He said nothing.

“Then why defend me?”

He turned slowly. He Looked at her.

“I didn’t do it for you.”

“Then who?”

He didn’t speak. The car pulled up to the building and They walked in.

The elevator opened.

She stepped in and he followed,the doors closed behind them.

Then he pressed the stop button.

The lights flickered.

She turned to him.

“Andrew…”

He stepped closer.

His hands on either side of her, trapping her against the wall.

His voice was low.

“I don’t know whether to ruin you... or keep you.”