Accident!

I let the harsh wind wash it's way through me and I inhaled every breath to calm myself down…

But…I figured that the one who was truly being fooled….was me!. 

A notification popped up on my phone, reminding me of my surgery scheduled for the afternoon. George glanced at it behind me, his brows knotted together in confusion…

"Darling, what surgery are you having?"

I quickly slipped my phone into my bag and smiled. "Nothing, just some spam. I understand everything you said. I understand you!." I said to change the topic entirely..

Satisfied, George placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "That's why you're my Darling. You always understand.” He paused to place another kiss on my right cheek, then he continued..

I'll go entertain the guests first and then I'll come home to keep you company tonight."

Silently, I followed him, my heart weighed down with unease. But instead of heading back to the grand hall, he took a detour to the guest rooms upstairs.

Through the slightly open door, I saw her, Brittney–dressed in nothing but a flimsy lace negligee. Her voice dripped with sweetness as she called out to him.

"George, why did you take so long? I've been waiting for you like forever."

George hesitated, his expression flickering with uncertainty. "I think Rory isn’t feeling so well. Maybe we should skip tonight? There will be plenty of time after the wedding. I should go check on her first–” George tried to move away but Brittney forcefully wrapped her hands around his neck to pull him into a kiss..

And the desire and longing seemed to get into George's bones and he didn't wait another second to shut the door and I could feel and hear their love making..

I turned around to leave and sat on a bench outside the mansion and it felt as though I had been there for like an hour..but the second I felt cold wine pour right on me from my head to my toe, I immediately gasped and turned around only to see Brittney's evil stare and a chuckle fell out of her mouth as she stared at my distressed face.

“I figured you'd need a nice shower..” she said and I felt like ripping out her eyes and feeding them to wolfs..

“You must be crazy…!” I yelled in agony as the cold wine made the coldness of the weather even more intense.

“Oh my, is Rory going to kill me now. Oh Good Lord, I'm so scared..” She said sarcastically and released an evil laugh after that..

I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself down but it didn't seem to work and the fury in me burned up even more..

“I love to see you angry, Rory. You just need to know that George is mine and you will never in this life time be able to take him away from me..is that clear?” She said, making things more harder for me..

“Don't you speak anymore? Oh, or has having five stillborn babies affected your mental health?” She mocked..

“And look at you, you are even pregnant again. You never learn do you? You have always been a tool to satisfy my darling husband while I've being away and now I'm back, so you can leave!” Brittney added. Her words got me stuck and I couldn't find the best reply to her so I kept mute and she suddenly sighted George coming far away and she did the most hilarious thing I would never do..

She practically picked up a stick and forcefully injured herself with it the she tossed the stick to my side and began to scream in horror as though she was about to die any minute.

George heard her agony and rushed to the scene immediately just like he had done when saving me from those street thieves..

He took her in his arms and turned to me with fury in his eyes..

Brittney clung to him, sobbing pitifully. "George, I just wanted to be nice and invite her in for a drink. But she—she said I stole you from her. Then she attacked me! Maybe... maybe she’s not stable after losing so many children…”

Gerrald turned to me, his gaze burning with cold disgust…

"I was the one who chose to marry Brittney. If you have a problem with that, come at me. What right do you have to take it out on her?"

I opened my mouth, desperate to explain, but his next words froze me in place.

"That's the reason you can't be a good mother and all your unborn babies stillborn.. Apologize to Brittney now!!”

I stared at him, my heart hollow, my hands numb at my sides.

I knew. Deep down, I knew this was the criticism I would get. But why did it still hurt so much?

My fingers clenched into fists before loosening. 

Slowly, I bent down and picked up the same stick Brittney had used to hurt herself from the ground and without hesitation, I brought it to my left hand and, in one swift motion, landed it straight on my pinky finger and I was sure I heard a crack sound after that...

Blood spurted out instantly, splattering onto the cold marble floor.

"Rory!" George’s voice was sharp with alarm.

I lifted my gaze to meet his with my lips curling into a bitter smile.

"Gerrald, you’re right. Ms. Maron’s hands are meant to shine in the operating room. Since her palm is wounded, I’ll compensate her with a finger. Is that enough?"

The crimson pooled at my feet as I turned away, stepping over the blood like it meant nothing.

Gerrald hesitated. For a moment, just a moment, I thought he might reach for me. But then Brittney whimpered and clung to him, her tear-filled voice breaking through the silence.

"Gerrald, my hand hurts..."

His hesitation vanished and he let me go!

…

I took a taxi to the hospital to get my hand bandaged and also for my appointment..

I turned to the doctor standing right beside me. "I'm ready." 

Even with the anesthesia, I felt the instruments scraping away at my insides, hollowing me out once more. I had lost another child. When I left the hospital, my arms wrapped around my empty stomach, tears slipped down my cheeks, silent and endless.

My love, I'm so sorry. In your next life, don’t choose me as your mother–Ever!!

At dawn, I arrived at the junction waiting for a ride. Just as I was about to board my ride, my phone buzzed with a new message from George.

‘Rory, are you up yet? Don't forget to eat breakfast. I really can't bear to be away from you—I miss you so much.’

‘Be good and wait for your husband at home. When I come back, I'll bring you a gift. I miss your lips. If only I could kiss them now.’

I lifted my eyes and looked across the road. Not far from me, George was holding Brittney in his arms, as they smooched deeply, even as his fingers moved effortlessly over his phone screen to send me those messages.

‘How impressive’ I thought. 

It must have been exhausting for him to keep up such an act. I didn't bother replying. Instead, I gathered the photos and chat records stored on my phone, added them into a single file and sent them to to Gerrald’s direct work email. Then, without hesitation, I turned and walked towards the got into the car, I was glad to finally be free to a new life, one that led to a different destination from his.

…

Meanwhile, George arrived at the lavish wedding banquet venue in chicago. His mother and a lot of esteemed guests were already gathered, eagerly awaiting the ceremony.

Frowning, he checked his phone again. Still no reply from Rory. 

A strange uneasiness settled in his chest.

After a moment of thought, he called his assistant, "Book a ticket for Rory to come here tomorrow. She must be feeling lonely at home without me."

It was indeed a calculated move. By the time she arrived, the wedding would be over. Even if she wanted to cause a scene, it would be too late.

Holding Brittney ’s hand, he stepped onto the stage just as his assistant came rushing forward, face pale, phone clutched tightly in his trembling hands.

"Mr Loren! There's a serious problem! Madam, she found out everything about the children!"

Gerrald’s breathing halted, "What are you talking about?"

The assistant gulped before continuing, his voice shaking. "A few hours ago, she boarded a cab to the airport. And just now, we received confirmation that…that…."

That what, Raymond? Speak!!” George said, losing his patience..

“It was confirmed that...that…the cab got involved in a car accident, sir."