Chapter 2

This slap hurt, but not only physically. Worse was the shame of the circumstances and being watched by a crowd as I was hit.

As Cole pulled his hand back, I felt the blood rise to my head.

“Curse you.”

I was completely enraged. I threw all my manners out the window and lunged at Cole.

If I let this insult stand, I would become the laughingstock of Jansburg.

However, the second I moved, my father rushed to my side. He grabbed my arm tightly.

His grip was so unexpectedly strong that it hurt. It did not seem like he was trying to talk me out of doing something rash. It felt more like he was apprehending me.

“Eli, calm down!” he growled at me lowly. His expression was dark, and veins stood out on his temple.

“Calm down? How in the world am I supposed to calm down?”

I tried to shake him off as I glared at Cole. “He slapped me at my own wedding! Twice! What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you see that?”

“We can’t escalate things more when we haven’t gotten the situation straight.”

Mom came over as well. She stood between Cole and me. Her back was to him as she faced me. Her expression was stern, and there was some panic in her gaze.

“Mr. Martin must have had a reason to do that.”

A reason? The absurdity of it made me even angrier.

What kind of reason could justify a bodyguard slapping her employer’s husband in front of so many people?

“What kind of reason is so important that it can’t be talked about in private? Why did he have to do this today and at my wedding?”

My voice trembled, and I felt the rage nearly burn through my chest.

“Well, maybe you really did something? Mr. Martin isn’t an unreasonable person.”

I stared at Mom in disbelief.

How was this my fault when I had been slapped? What could I have done? All I had done today was attend my own wedding.

“What have I done? Tell me then, what have I done?” I questioned her. My voice grew louder, riling the guests up once again.

Dad tugged me hard and interrupted me. His voice was judicious. “Listen to your mother, Eli.

“Mr. Martin is a professional. He must have spotted something out of the ordinary. Maybe he did that for your safety?”

My safety? I looked at Cole, who looked serious even though he did something so ridiculous. I felt a chill run up my spine.

What had they done? Why were my parents trying so hard to defend Cole? Did they think of me as their son at all?

Right then, Amelie came forward. Tears swam in her eyes as she pulled my free arm. She sobbed and said, “Don’t do this, Eli. Your mom and dad are right. There must be some kind of misunderstanding here. Cole wouldn’t do anything reckless. Don’t be angry.”

Seeing how pitiful Amelie looked, my rage and frustration mixed and became stronger. I felt suffocated.

Why were they all looking at Cole?

I shook Amelie and Dad off. I pointed at myself and then at Cole. “I’ll make Cole pay for this if it’s the last thing I do!”

I fished out my phone, ready to call the police.

Then, Amelie slapped me.

It was not a hard hit, but the insult stung harder than the slap.

I looked at her in disbelief.

She cried as she said to me, “Eli, stop throwing a tantrum!”

Then, Dad became livid. He shouted, “I’ll disown you if you dare to make that phone call.”

Mom came up to me and snatched the phone. Her voice was shrill as she said, “Are you intent on embarrassing the Bennet family before all of Jansburg? What will people think of us if you call the police over such a small thing? What will they think of you?”

I saw the open panic on their faces and felt even more desolate and helpless. I felt as if I had been doused in cold water. I was shivering.

Right then, Cole made a move.

He only took a small step forward. His icy gaze was locked on me, and he was unwavering.

It was as if that intense fight before had nothing to do with him. He raised his hand again and made to slap me for the third time.

I was frozen in place as I watched that hand come closer. My loved ones seemed unaffected. They were simply allowing this to happen.

My heart was caught in the depths of despair. I did not even have the strength to avoid the slap.