LET ME HANDLE THIS

CHAPTER 6: LET ME HANDLE THIS

KIMBERLY:

“Put your weapon down,”

As the door slammed open, a number of Corps rushed into the hall but Roland was clever as he quickly grabbed my waist and pulled me to himself, pointing the knife at my chest as if he was about to stab me.

"Roland, please, put the knife down," I begged with trembling voice. I was very scared and kept my eyes shut.

Roland’s arm tightened around my waist, and the tip of the knife pressed harder against my chest.

"I said nobody moves!" he barked with clenched jaw. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman.

Damien tried to intervene, but Mrs. Carter extended her hand, stopping him. "Let me handle this," she said, her voice calm but firm.

I opened my eyes to look at her. She looked so elegant but the choas in the hall contrasted with her personality.

"Roland, sweetheart, please, listen to me."

"No! You don’t believe me, Grandma," Roland growled. "I love her. I was stupid—Tess tricked me. I didn’t mean to betray Kim. But I can fix it. I swear I can. Just let me marry her. Now."

I could hear the smell of alcohol as Roland spoke. It's no wonder he had no shame.

The officiant had long since stepped back, watching the scene with wide eyes. He seemed to tremble in fear as he clutched his book.

"You think threatening her life is the way to fix things?" Damien spat, fists balled. "You're insane, Roland. Let her go."

Roland turned the knife slightly toward Damien. "Back off, Damien! She was mine before you showed up. She still loves me, I know it. We were meant to grow old together. I made her a promise."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "Roland, you broke every promise the moment you touched Tess," I snapped.

“I'm sorry, Kim! Tess tricked me! She seduced me, Kim! I didn’t mean for it to happen. I made a mistake, okay?"

Mrs. Carter took a slow step forward, palms raised. "We all make mistakes, darling. And I think Kimberly isn't even good enough for you. She isn't reliable. If she can switch to another man so easily just because you made a simple mistake, then she never loved you. Don't you get it?”

I stiffened. Is that really how Evelyn understand the whole matter?

Roland scoffed. “Kim loves me. She's being manipulated by Damien.”

“You can be a bigger person and let Kim go. It's your choice right now. Except you want to spend the rest of your life in prison. Wouldn't you rather find peace another way?"

Roland seemed to consider Evelyn's words as he hesitated for a second. But then he pressed the knife harder against my chest. "No, Grandma. I swear, If I can’t have her, no one can."

“Roland, listen to me,” Evelyn spoke softly, each word measured. "If you truly love her, then let her choose. Don’t force her. She’s not your property."

"I’m not forcing her, grandmother," Roland said desperately. "She was mine first. Damien doesn’t love her. He just wants her because I do."

"That’s not true," Damien hissed. "You never deserved her. You were too busy chasing skirts while she gave everything to you."

"Shut up! Just shut up, will you?" Roland yelled. "Kim and I are getting married now. Marry us now mister!"

The officiant stammered, glancing at Evelyn.

She nodded slowly. "Give him what he wants. Get them married."

The man turned the page, his hands shaking as he began. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of... Roland Carter and Kimberly Walker..."

My knees buckled slightly. Roland gripped my waist tighter to keep me from falling.

"Do you, Roland Carter, take Kimberly to be your lawfully wedded wife...?"

"I do," Roland said immediately, breathless.

"Kimberly," the officiant said, voice strained. "Do you—"

Suddenly, Roland was yanked back by two officers who had quietly crept up from behind. One tackled his arm while the other grabbed the knife, wrenching it from his grip.

He got his hands injured in the process.

"No!" Roland screamed, struggling wildly as he was brought to the ground.

I stumbled forward, free, falling into Damien’s arms.

"I’ve got you," he whispered, wrapping his arms around me protectively.

Roland thrashed on the floor. "You all set me up! You ruined my birthday and I won't forgive you!"

Evelyn shook her head, looking very disappointed. "No, Roland. You did this to yourself."

The officers cuffed him and read him his rights. He screamed my name as they dragged him out of the registry.

Silence fell.

Then everyone sighed almost in unison.

The officiant looked pale and visibly rattled but he found his voice and asked, "Should we... continue now?"

Damien looked at me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, breathing heavily. It was hard for me not to shed tears. Roland had almost drove a knife through my chest. "Let’s get married,” I whispered.

Evelyn moved to where I was standing and took my hands, squeezing them. "I’m sorry, child. Whatever I said earlier about you being unreliable wasn't the fact. Now let’s do this the right way."

The officiant cleared his throat. "Let us begin anew. We are gathered here today to witness the union of Damien Carter and Kimberly Walker..."

I barely heard the words. My heart was pounding, but in a different way now. Damien held my hand firmly, and locked eyes with mine.

"Do you, Damien Carter, take Kimberly Walker to be your lawfully wedded wife...?"

"I do," he said with a smirk.

"And do you, Kimberly Walker, take Damien Carter...?"

"I do."

"By the power vested in me... I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Damien leaned in and kissed me gently. Everyone applauded and I managed to give them a weak smile. Then we signed the marriage certificate together.

It was official.

Legal.

And done.

My parents congratulated me half heartedly. But my focus wasn't on them.

Evelyn gave me a hug and kissed my forehead. "Welcome to the family, Kimberly. Now, let’s get you out of this madness and go out to celebrate."

Damien grinned. "No Grandma. I have other plans.."

Evelyn sneered. “Being possessive already?”

Damien only smirked and took my hand in his. He led me to his car and drove off without telling me where we were going.