Chapter 2

I rushed forward to stop them, shouting for them to let go of Mom. But before I could even take two steps, two of the bodyguards pinned me down and held me so tightly that I couldn't move.

Mikael crouched in front of me, his eyes dark and unreadable. "I never said I wouldn't marry you. What are you getting so worked up about?"

I ignored him completely and struggled against the men with all my strength. But no matter how hard I fought, I could only watch helplessly as they dragged Mom out of the hall.

My family had no relatives here. Every guest in the audience was acquainted with the Jardine family. With such chaos unfolding, everyone just watched and gossiped. Not a single person stepped in to help.

Once Mom was gone, Mikael reached out and took my hand again like nothing had happened.

"Alright, let's continue the wedding," he said.

I yanked my hand away. "Didn't you hear what I just said? I said: This wedding is off!"

I threw the bouquet I had carefully curated to the floor and turned toward the door.

Mikael panicked and rushed over to block my way. As we struggled, Tori pulled out her deck of tarot cards again. She said soothingly, "Don't worry, Mikael. Harmony is only acting out because of her energy field. If I just adjust her frequency a little, she'll go back to normal."

I could practically feel the blood pounding in my head as fury surged within me. I lifted my hand and tried to slap Tori. "Enough with your stupid witchcraft!"

Tori squeaked and darted behind one of the bodyguards stealthily like a sneaky rat. My hand caught nothing but air.

Then, she pulled something burning out of her purse and hurled it straight at me. Instinctively, I raised my arm to block it. The flames struck the back of my hand.

There was a sharp sizzle, and then searing pain.

Mikael clapped his hands and laughed. "Tori told me that burning sage purifies a person's magnetic field. Go on. Thank her."

I clutched my burned hand. In my current state, I regret the choice that led to the scenario today. I should have ended things long ago, on the very first time Mikael believed one of her tarot readings.

On our first anniversary, I had booked a fancy restaurant a month in advance. I showed up that night in my favorite dress. With a gift I had prepared, I waited for Mikael.

Two hours passed, and he still didn't show up. I made every excuse I could think of for him, telling myself not to get angry. But it all came crashing down when I saw him sitting outside his office with Tori, eating cheap street food from a stall.

I ran up to him, demanding an explanation. He just replied calmly, almost bored, "Tori saw in the tarot that we wouldn't have a happy date tonight, so I decided to stay and keep her company instead."

I held back my anger and asked, "I called you so many times. Couldn't you have at least explained the situation over the phone?"

He took out his phone and glanced at it. Then, he said perfunctorily, "A tarot reading can't be disrupted when it is ongoing. So, I silenced it."

That was when I first realized that everything between Mikael and me revolved around Tori's tarot cards. He checked the tarot before every date and every trip we went on.

Even when I had an asthma attack and needed to get to the hospital, Tori stopped the ambulance just to ask the driver's astrology signs.

I had fought with Mikael about it before. But every time, he would back down and apologize. I'd forgive him again and again, losing myself in the illusion of his tenderness.

But not this time. I was done with compromising. I said, "Mikael, I'll say it one more time. No matter what tricks you and Tori try, I won't marry you."