CHAPTER 1: Her Will To Live

Shantelle

When the priest began speaking, I knew it was my cue to enter the scene. 

I was nervous, but the fact that that I will live longer outweighed my fears and worries.

‘I had to do this, for my family!’ I silently mumbled as I took a deep breath and strolled my way inside.

"Gavin Adams! Stop! Don’t do this to me! Stop this wedding, now!" 

As soon as I entered the hallway, I let out a shout and everyone inside immediately turned their attention to me. Shock was evident in their faces.

My focus shifted to the front of the room, and fixed my eyes on the groom, and with his bride.

"Gavin, you know that I am pregnant. And you're the father of this child! Yet, you wanted to get married to someone else? How could you do this to me?"

I pretended that I was becoming weaker, but that wasn't entirely true. I really was weakening. The anxiety was really draining my strength, and I couldn't do anything about it.

I really hoped that they wouldn't figure out that I was just making things up.

People who had been completely silent up until a short while ago and who had attended their wedding started hushed speaking to the person sitting next to them.

Their eyes betrayed the confusion and shock that they were experiencing, especially the bride.

And yes, this is the task that I have been given by Doctor Peighton in exchange for the money that she will give me. 

I needed to ruin Gavin Adams' wedding.

She only instructed me on what to do, but she did not provide even the slightest motivation for why I should carry out her instructions. 

But all I needed to do to accomplish my goal was to completely sabotage their relationship, Gavin and his bride.

I felt sad about it, but I had no choice now.

The person who stood up and responded first asked Gavin, "Son, what does this mean? What was that woman talking about?" when he saw what was happening.

Another man yelled at him, saying, "Gavin Adams! How dare you do this to us, to our family, to my precious daughter!"

That was when  I realized that the two men who stood up were the groom's father and the bride's father respectively.

"No, don’t listen to her. Please try to remain calm. This whole thing is a lie, and I have no idea who she is,” when Gavin did finally speak, he attempted to put an end to all of the commotion.

But I won't stand for that to take place. 

If they went ahead with the wedding despite everything that I did, then I am a failure.

There was no way out, and I had to complete this task to the very best of my ability.

"Gavin, what are you saying? Why do you keep on rejecting the fact that you got me pregnant, huh? Do you really think that I am just lying? I have nothing to gain by making false statements. I am being completely honest here! I am pregnant, and you are the father of my child. So you better stop this nonsense ceremony now!" 

I responded, thereby rebutting what Gavin had said.

"Those momentous nights, have you really forgotten about them? The nights that we made love? You had promised to spend your life with me after you’d call it quits with her! How could you possibly forget the promise that you made to me?" 

I lied and made myself cry more convincingly.

Loisa, the bride, began to cry and almost fell to the ground before Gavin was able to catch her in his arms and support her. 

Loisa made an effort to stand on her own, and it appeared as though she didn't want to be held by Gavin because of the things that she had heard, which made her feel disgusted. 

I believe that her mother was the woman who walked into the room where she was standing.

"A promise after calling it quits with me, really Gavin? You made love with another woman? You played tricks on me! How dare you! You cheated on me, under my nose!" 

Loisa blurted out. She looked stunning in her wedding gown and was a perfect bride.

The appearance that she is currently showing is inappropriate for today's occasion.

"Who is she? Tell me, Gavin!”

She reiterated the statement with a voice that was quaking with insanity.

"Loisa, listen to me. That woman and I are not communicating in any way. I really don’t know her. It wasn't possible for me to spend the night with her,” he said to her while trying to comfort her and pointing his finger in my direction.

Initially, he was making an effort to keep his composure, but by this point, he was beginning to lose it as well. 

He was completely incapable of containing his rage, which was plain to see in his eyes.

"You made a promise to be with me, but now you're going back on your word and marrying her. I had no intention to do this but I am hurting, so I had to come all the way over here to stop the wedding! You said you are solely mine and you’ll be a great husband and father!"

It's hard for me to tell if what I just said is accurate. 

Despite the fact that everything I did from the very beginning on was wrong, I had no choice. 

I have no other option if I want to keep living like this.

"Shut up you whore! You're not the one I'm interested in hearing from!” 

I was taken aback for a second by what the bride had said, but I didn't let them know that I was surprised by her because I didn't want them to think suspicious of me.

She confronted Gavin with the question, "Tell me, when did you start cheating on me? When did you start playing tricks on me, Gavin! Have you made love with her? Have you made flings with other women while we’re in a relationship?"

"Loisa, look… I really..."

‘That’s it Gavin, keep it that way. You have now assisted me in putting an end to this wedding.’ I murmured silently.

"I mean…" he stutteringly began, but his bride interrupted him before he could finish.

"You were unaware, were you? Therefore, it was not impossible. You had earlier stated that you were positive that you were not familiar with her, but now that you have responded to my inquiry, you are unsure about this."

That is exactly what I am referring to, and the groom did not pick the appropriate word to use because the bride was intelligent enough to think in this manner.

"No honey, please, that is not the case. I was not familiar with her at all, and I did not sleep—" 

Because Loisa's hand flew up and hit him in the face, he was unable to finish what he was trying to say.

"Put an end to this shambles, Gavin! Make it right! I have never before experienced the feeling of being embarrassed until today!” It was his father who spoke.

"I don't think your son would be able to fix it, and there's really nothing to fix anyway because we're leaving right now," the bride’s father said, furiously 

He walked in and nodded at his wife and daughter before assisting them with leaving the event hall.

I suppose that was a sign for me to exit the building as well. 

If I remain here, this will be an annoyance to me. 

My job here is done. 

It was imperative that I’d speak with Nurse Peighton right away.

After exiting the event hall, I entered the elevator and proceeded straight to the parking lot, where I found Nurse Peighton waiting.

Yes, I may have some regret because I ruined their wedding, but the fact that I still have the will to live is more important than any regrets I may have.

I have no idea what the consequences of doing that may be, but I couldn't care less about them. 

When something that I did will reflect on me, I will think of something else that I ought to do. 

After we leave, the only thing I can say for certain is that I will have a longer life and will never step foot back into this country again.

My eyes travelled throughout the entirety of the parking lot in search of the brown luxurious car that Nurse Peighton had used when she was the one who drove us here.

"How did it go? Have you completed the task at hand?" Almost instantly, she questioned it, as she smiled victoriously.

"Of course, I did what was told. The wedding was ruined now. The bride already walked away and most of the guests as well,” I answered back.

"Very well done, Ms. Clarkson. Now, take this. That’s my payment, and that would be more than enough for you ro get out of this place as quickly as you can," Nurse Peighton exclaimed without even giving me glance.

"I don't believe that I could use such a large sum of money. Are you sure going to give me a this huge amount?" 

I inquired about it because I simply could not accept the information. 

It was excessively difficult for such a task that had been assigned to me.

"That is completely yours to keep. You are free to put that money toward running or opening up your business, and what's left over is entirely at your discretion. You are free to put it toward anything or spend it in any way you see fit." 

She confirmed it with a nod and all I could do was to accept and agree with her.

"By the way Ms. Clarkson, here's one more set of clothing for you to take. It would be inappropriate for you to wear the dress you wore to the wedding again. It is possible that someone would recognize you as the person who crashed their wedding and confronted you about it," she added as she handed me the bags.

"You have a valid point. Permit me to first change before we part ways."

After I had finished changing into a different outfit, I thanked her for her help and bade her farewell because I knew this would be the last time we would cross paths. 

I can only hope that we will never run into each other again and that we will never see them again.

I didn't waste any time and went straight home, where I waited for my siblings to get back. 

Yesterday evening, I had already packed some of the things that we would have with us when we left, and I also told them to pack their things; however, I did not tell them that we were going to leave for today. 

In addition, I contacted Nurse Peighton and asked her to purchase three plane tickets for us, because, if I were the one to make the decisions, there is no way that we would be able to leave any time soon. 

In the event that this takes place, Gavin may be able to locate me in a timely manner.

"Shantelle, what are you doing right now?" Cristopher inquired, he was her youngest sibling.

"You’re home! How wonderful, you two have already arrived. Keep the other items you have in your bags or luggage for the time being. Our flight would be early in the morning of tomorrow," I responded to him.

I was aware that there was still some time left because Gavin might first try to resolve the situation with her bride, or should we say her ex-bride to be more accurate, before coming after me.

"The departure time for our flight is five hours from now, and once we have established ourselves in Standford, I will talk to you about everything. Do what I've told you to do for the time being."

"Standford, you say? I believe that is where Aunt Trina has made her home?” My younger sister asked.

"Yes, but she has no idea what's going on, which means that we might as well spend the night, or two, at the hotel that's close to the airport."

"Stop asking questions and just do what I told you to do, will you? After that, eat your dinner and get to bed at a reasonable hour. The departure time is set for five in the morning."

My siblings started looking for their important belongings and putting them away in their respective bags. 

Since we are unable to afford to stay any longer or even to come back to this location, I may have to ask my aunt to take care of everything that we left behind here.

After we had finished, I watched them sleep and waited for the next day to come around. 

After everything that took place earlier today, I seriously doubt that I will be able to sleep tonight.

I was able to get at least four hours of sleep, which wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. 

I got some bread ready for us to eat, and then I woke up my siblings so that they could get ready and get ready for the day.

It is important that we get going as quickly as we can.

After everything was finished, we made it to the airport, and someone who knew, the nurse, had already purchased the plane tickets for us. 

After we had all found our seats, I felt a sense of relief and was able to relax. 

I no longer have any reason to be concerned, and I have faith that we will be able to lead a worry-free life there.