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Chapter 4

Author: Lora Ann
Herbert stormed over, his face carved from granite, and slapped me across the face.

Behind him, Chloe clung to a disheveled Lori, glaring at me. "If the housekeeper hadn't tipped us off, we'd never have known you were sneaking out. Herbert, make her pay for hurting Lori!"

Herbert's fingers clamped around my throat, squeezing until black spots danced in my vision. "All this over some stupid wedding prank? You tried to frame Lori for an assault in the theater? Gail chased money and got burned. How is it Lori's fault? If I hadn't been there, she'd be ruined, and I'd despise you forever."

I forced a mocking laugh. "What, she's playing the victim now? Didn't she say assault is no big deal? Gail's life meant nothing, but Lori's got you all torn up?"

His grip tightened, and my face contorted in agony. "Gail wasn't even your real sister. Without her weighing you down, you're free. Marry me, and you'll have the life you always wanted."

My eyes blazed with tears, stunning him.

I shoved him off and slapped him hard. "I raised Gail like my own. Blood or not, she was my heart. Yeah, I'm tired of scraping by, but she was never a burden!"

My chest ached as if pierced by a blade. If I hadn't given in to Gail's pleas to stay, she might still be alive, shining as the Woodard family's star.

Herbert's fists clenched, his gaze lingering on the bruises on my neck. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, but Lori grabbed his hand, saying, "Your fiancée's spoiled rotten. Still going to coddle her? She's got you whipped."

His face hardened at her words. Lori smirked, her voice syrupy as she leaned in. "You're such a hopeless romantic. When a girl's pissed, you don't grovel. Let me handle her; I know women best."

She swung his hand playfully. "Worried I'll get hurt? Then ditch this marriage."

He pulled his hand free, and her eyes flickered.

She stomped toward me and hissed, "You know, when I pushed Gail off that balcony, her eyes burned with the same hatred you've got. You really think she jumped? It was supposed to be you they attacked, but she overheard my plan."

I lunged, my hands closing around her throat, squeezing with every ounce of rage. Taking her chance, she shoved a knife into my hand and screamed, "Herbert, she's got a knife!"

He charged, his boot slamming into my side. "You're out of your mind! Lori is trying to make peace, and you're hurting her?"
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  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 10

    Lori's eyes burned with hatred, as if she'd leap up and strangle me.I clapped, and bodyguards dumped her at Herbert's feet. "The casino made her pay her debts with her body, then sent her to us. But everyone knows you're her ride-or-die. We don't want her. She is all yours. I'll see you both in court."Herbert's voice shook. "You're suing me?""Not just you," I said, grinning at Chloe's pale face. "Everyone who touched Gail gets what's coming. No one slips through."Chloe refused to take Lori, but the bodyguards' glares forced her hand. Herbert hoisted Lori up and trudged out. He glanced back with every step, praying I'd call him back.I didn't. Instead, I told a guard, "From now on, no Bradys or stray dogs at this grave."After the funeral, John handed me the reins of the family power. He built a small villa by his children's graves, wanting to spend his remaining days near them.I took the family crest, my eyes stinging, swearing to honor his trust. Under his iron-fisted ment

  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 9

    "Remember this?" Herbert said. "I crafted this ring for you. I'm asking you to marry me. My love for you has never wavered."I stood still, my face unreadable. He gave a bitter smile. "I know you hate me now, but Lori played me. She swore you got me drunk to trap me and bankroll Gail's life. That's why I turned a blind eye to what happened. I was jealous. I wanted your heart all to myself, not shared with your sister."Tears streamed down his face and splashed onto the velvet box. "I locked you up and kept you from the police because I was terrified you'd leave me and never be my bride."I reached for the box and took out the ring. His face lit up, hope blazing. "Mona, you forgive me?""Forgive?" I laughed, sharp and cold, flinging the ring into the trash behind him. It nicked his brow and drew blood.My hand then cracked across his face. "That's for slandering my sister!"I slapped him again. "That's for protecting her killer and losing all sense of right and wrong!"Then anoth

  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 8

    "Don't believe her lies," Herbert pleaded. "I only love you. I'd never touch her."I'd always known about Herbert's notorious best friend. Lori had a reputation for ruining any woman who got close to him.I thought I was the exception because he'd stood up for me once, telling her to back off. But that wasn't love; it was a leash, not a shield.He shared drinks with her, crashed in the same bed, and even swapped clothes. Lori played the tomboy, but he knew she was a woman. Their years of flirty games weren't accidents. They were choices.As the city's golden boy, he thrived on being adored, like all rich kids.I pried his fingers off and spoke deliberately. "Get ready for your downfall!"In the car, John's rigid posture finally slumped. He clutched Gail's urn, tears carving tracks down his weathered face. His voice was hoarse with regret. "If I'd been firmer and dragged her home, she wouldn't have died."I'd grown up an orphan, raising Gail like a sister, making sure she never w

  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 7

    Herbert doubled down, desperate. "What is revenge gonna get you? I burned all the evidence. Gail was too weak and jumped to her death. You can't pin that on us."He glared at me. "Throwing a fit fixes nothing. You trashed our wedding. It's not something Mrs. Brady should do."John sneered, tossing a file at Herbert's chest. "You've really gone to great lengths to protect your so‑called friend, haven't you? I may not have your evidence, but I've got this."Photos spilled out, showing Lori at an overseas casino, high on drugs, and entangled in debauchery.John continued, "Is this enough to bury her? I don't need your evidence to make her pay. She gambled overseas and bankrupted her family. You think she came back for brotherly love?"Herbert's fists clenched, his face a mask of fury. His phone rang, his father's voice bellowing through. "Herbert, you moron! You handed Lori our company shares? She's bled us dry. Every project is scrapped. We're finished!"Herbert spun to seize a cow

  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 6

    "The Woodard empire? Nonsense! Mona is a broke nobody. How is she an heiress?" Chloe screeched, shrinking under a bodyguard's glare.John snorted, his eyes cold as steel. When I stepped out, dressed and composed, his expression softened. "Mona, where is Gail?"My phone had died before I could explain fully. He thought Gail was just hurt.I pointed to her urn, crying, "Grandpa, Lori murdered her!"Ignoring Herbert's warning glare, I poured out the whole story. John's hand trembled on the urn, his veins bulging, his eyes slicing toward Lori like a blade.She stumbled back in fear, but Herbert stepped in front of her. "Shut your mouth! Gail killed herself. It has nothing to do with Lori."He squared up to John. "Lori crossed a line, but it's not all her fault. Gail was your adopted granddaughter, sure, but she threw herself at men for money. She's not worth this. Mona is your real kin. I'll treat her right, but she can't touch my people."John roared, "Shut up! Gail was my blood, m

  • Wedding Turned into Mourning   Chapter 5

    "If she gets hurt, I'll make you pay!" Herbert bellowed.I wiped blood from my lips, my stare icy. "Try it! Lock me away forever! The second I'm out, I'll drag Lori, you, and everyone who touched Gail to justice!"He paused, my fury alien to him. Lori clung to his sleeve, sobbing, "The housekeeper said she had already called the police. They're coming. We can't let her keep this up. Why not..."She pointed at the men who meant to "attack" her. "She's so high and mighty. Ruin her, and she'll be too ashamed to talk."My heart raced at her words, but before I could speak, the housekeeper pinned me to the ground, her hand clamping my mouth. Herbert shook his head, rejecting the idea.Lori bit her lip, tears flowing harder. "Fine, let me rot in jail. I'll throw myself off this roof right now. It's just a few photos. Think I'd let you get played like that?""Alright," Herbert relented, grabbing her hand.Lori's tears vanished, a smug glint in her eyes. Chloe stepped up, eager to aveng

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