1

Chapter one

Buzzzz.

The sound of the big gate pushing open has a breath of relief rushing out of me. Slowly, I turn my head to look at the building behind me.

A place I had suffered and endured for three whole years. Ladies in orange scrub paces about, not even minding me.

The California prison.

Today, I got released for a crime I didn't even commit in the first place; I just took the fall for someone. Someone who was worth every pain and hardship I went through in here.

Sudden lights snap me out of my thoughts as the sound of clicking drags me back to the present.

Reporters.

A bunch of them flooded me at once, crowding me as they took shots after shots, shouting words at me.

Words that I had to strain my ears to hear, I wish I hadn't.

“It's Mrs Clara, the ex of Mr Derrick.”

Ex? What the hell are they talking about? I shake my head a bit, not wanting to pay them any heed as I try to push through them.

“Ma'am, what do you have to say after three years?”

Where the hell are they coming from? I push harder, ducking my head to avoid the camera.

“Are you even supposed to be out yet? The police claimed your case was too dire. Is that so?”

Urrrgggh. Let me pass. A sharp pain passes through my skull as someone mistakenly tugs at my hair.

I am about to give them a piece of my mind when someone says something that has me halting.

“How do you feel about your ex-husband getting married on the day of your release?”

Pause. Slowly, I turn around to look at the said reporter.

“What the hell did you just say?” My voice is small as the words tumble out.

He wouldn't dare.

“Mr Derrick is getting married to Miss Florida at a church right now. How do you feel about that?” She repeats, pushing her hand forward to get the microphone to me.

It's a lie. They are just trying to get to me.

“You are lying.” I force out the words, unable to think of anything else.

He wouldn't do that to me; he loves me.

The reporter shakes her head, digging for her phone as she plays a live video for me.

And there he is in the same church where we got married, saying vows to Florida, my best friend for more than ten years.

My entire body pales as I stumble back, tears burning my eyes as I watch the video over. A sudden ache rises up my chest as I turn around.

Rage. Blind fucking rage ripples through my bones as I force my tears down.

“Mrs Clara?”

“Talk to us, hope you don't plan on ruining the wedding.”

Ruin the wedding. Scoff.

My eyes snap around the parking lot, suddenly spotting a bat by a car, the owner digging through the boot.

A dangerous idea sparks through my mind. I know I shouldn't, but at this point, I don't give a flying fuck.

Sending my right leg forward, I take a step, and another, then I am speeding across the lot like a crazed woman.

Without thinking, I grab the bat and dash out of the prison compound on foot.

I took the fall for that bastard. He did not love me, so I left him with my baby, all because of love, and he dared to do this to me.

Marrying my best friend on the day I am to come out of prison.

“Taxi!!” I flag down the nearest taxi, not minding the shouts of the reporters following behind me.

“Saint Catherine's church.” I gasp, my grip on the bat getting tighter.

The man steps on the gas, moving with great speed as he drives through the busy streets.

It's my first day out in three years, and I can't even look at the roads.

~~

Once he pulls up into the church, I wrap my fingers around the lock, pulling it open, and dash out like a madman.

“Ma’am, my money!!!” The driver screams from behind me, but I don't stop.

Without even thinking twice, I push the damned door open; the sound of the door nearly falling open had everyone on their feet, snapping their heads towards me.

“Stop this God forsaken wedding!!” I boom, my voice resonating through the halls of the church.

Murmurs fill the air as eyes turn to me, dressed in nothing but rags. My grip tightens on the bat in my right hand.

How dare they? How dare he?

My eyes burn as I match forward, my body trembling with rage.

“Clara, what–”

His words are barely out before I send my hand forward, swinging the bat at him.

Thick red blood spurts out as screams fill the air.

“AHHH!!” he screams out, his palms flying to his forehead where the bat got him clean.

Blood pumps out, causing Florida's eyes to widen as she glares at me.

“HOW DARE YOU!!!” I scream, my blood pumping as I move to take another hit.

“Seize her.” Strong arms grab me from behind. I lift my feet, sending them into the air as scream after scream tears out of my lips.

“You can't do this to me, Derrick,” I shout, my eye shifting to Florida, causing yet another stab of pain to gush through me.

How dare she?

“You don't get to own everything.” She snarls, hugging her measly flower closer.

“Take that vile woman out of her now!” That familiar voice of Mr Anthony booms through the air, causing the men to drag me faster.

Clicks after click were heard as people took shots of me, murmuring all horrible things to me.

My eyes snap up, a very familiar green eyes causing me to stop in my tracks. He is hidden by a pillar, dressed in black hair covering almost half of his face.

But those eyes, I could swear I have seen them before.

I am jolted out of my thoughts as my body is flung out of the church. My knees scraping the asphalt, I shoot out my arm to break the fall.

“Ahhh,” I scream out, tears burning in my eyes.

Now that the adrenaline is gone, the pain hits me with a force. My husband, whom I took the fall for, is getting married to my best friend in the same church we did.

I will make them pay. I swear they must pay!!!