All Chapters of Locked in the Car Because Her Tarot: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The car doors locked with a sharp click.I reached for the handle, but it wouldn't budge. Grady Cabrera had locked me in the car like I was nothing but a problem.My phone buzzed.It was a photo from Mallory Pierce.The coffee set I'd spent two weeks picking out was already on the dining table. Linda Cabrera, Grady's mother, was holding the neck and shoulder massager I'd searched everywhere for, smiling from ear to ear.A message followed.[Linda absolutely loves it. Don't worry, Brenda. I'll make a good impression on your behalf.]I stared at the screen as my fingertips slowly turned cold.I'd gone to three different stores before I finally found that coffee set. As for the massager, I'd saved two months' worth of paychecks to buy it. Linda had chronic neck and shoulder pain, and I'd even kept notes on all the little things she liked.Now all of it had become Mallory's thoughtfulness.I called Grady. It rang for a long time before he finally answered. Laughter filled the b

Chapter 2

Mallory smiled and cut in before anyone else could speak, "Don't be nervous, Brenda. Grandma just wants to meet Grady's future wife today."The tarot cards say you're carrying bad luck today. It wouldn't be a good idea for you to meet her. So, I'll meet her for you."Before she finished speaking, Teresa called from the living room, "Mrs. Cabrera, Grandma Elena will be down in a moment."Linda immediately urged her on, "Mally, hurry and change. We don't want to keep Grandma waiting."Mallory curved her lips into a smile at me. "Of course."A few minutes later, Teresa returned carrying a rosewood box. Inside lay a flawless tennis bracelet.Linda turned to Grady, unable to hide the smile on her face. "Your grandmother has been saving this for her future granddaughter-in-law. Today seems like the perfect occasion. Mallory can wear it first."Mallory walked over, her gaze lingering on the bracelet. "Linda, something this valuable really shouldn't be entrusted to me."She said the wo

Chapter 3

Teresa moved my place card to a table near the door where the driver and a few distant relatives were seated.I didn't argue. Grady had promised that once dinner started, he would introduce me to everyone properly.Before long, one of his aunts smiled and asked, "Now that Grady's finally brought someone home, when are you two getting engaged?"Elena patted Mallory's hand, beaming. "It's about time. I'm still waiting for a great-grandbaby."I was about to stand when a message from Grady came through.[Grandma's happy right now. Don't ruin it. I'll explain later.]Apparently, even admitting that I was his girlfriend had to wait.Just then, Teresa walked over carrying a set of keys. Mallory took them and casually set them on the table.I recognized them immediately. They were the spare keys to the house Grady and I were supposed to move into after we got married.I stared at them. "Why do you have a key to our house?"Mallory smiled and drew another tarot card. "Brenda, the card

Chapter 4

The next day, Grady came to see me.By the time he arrived, I'd already packed my clothes and gathered all of my important documents.He opened a thermal container and set a bowl of chicken soup in front of me."Let's put yesterday behind us. I've already confirmed everything with the hotel. Our engagement party is tonight."I looked up at him. "Tonight?""That's right." Grady took a seat across from me. "Grandma mistook the wrong person yesterday. I know that hurt you. Tonight, I'll introduce you to everyone properly, and I'll give you the tennis bracelet."I asked, "What about Mallory?"He frowned. "Of course she's coming. She's done so much for you. Stop picking on her."I lowered my eyes to my phone. A new message from my manager had just come in.[The Blackridge project assignment has been sent. Please sign and return it.]I tapped "Accept.""I'll pick you up at six. When we get there, keep your comments to yourself. Don't bring up what happened yesterday."I was about

Chapter 5

Grady stood in the empty apartment, unmoving for a long moment.The closet doors were open. Every piece of my clothing was gone.Only one toothbrush remained by the sink.Even the wedding countdown had been torn from the refrigerator, leaving behind nothing but a strip of clear tape.A cardboard box sat on the dining table.Grady walked over.Inside were the engagement ring he'd given me and the bank card to our joint account.On top lay a notebook. He recognized my handwriting immediately."Linda doesn't like sweets. Set the neck massager to the lowest setting before she uses it.""Grandma was just discharged from the hospital. Don't bring up her health or her age when you see her."The last line read: "Don't be nervous. And don't make things harder for Grady."He pulled out his phone and called me. He tried several times, but there was no answer.Grady tightened his grip on the phone and sent me a message."The engagement party starts at 6:30. The family's already on the

Chapter 6

Grady looked at Mallory, his voice turning cold. "Who told you to change the guest list?"Mallory's smile never faltered. "Brenda wasn't coming. We couldn't let all these relatives make the trip for nothing. I was only standing in for Brenda tonight."She raised her wrist wearing the tennis bracelet. "Besides, haven't you always said the celebration itself doesn't matter?"The words landed like a slap across Grady's face.The guests still had no idea what was happening.Linda hurried over and lowered her voice, "Grady, everyone's watching. Brenda chose to throw a tantrum and not show up. Are you going to make the entire Cabrera family lose face because of her?"Grady answered firmly, "This is Brenda's and my engagement party. If she's not here, it's over."Linda's expression changed. "Don't be ridiculous! The hotel's booked, the banquet's paid for, and all the relatives are here. If you cancel now, what will everyone think of us?"Mally's already wearing the dress. Let her stan

Chapter 7

"Mom. You knew about this?"Linda's eyes darted away. "I didn't know she'd prepared two decks. I just thought there was no harm in letting Mally stand in for Brenda during the introductions.""No harm?" Grady's voice tightened. "She even rehearsed what she was going to say to Grandma."Linda bristled at being challenged. "None of this would've happened if Brenda hadn't been so difficult. If she'd just gone along with the arrangements, things never would've gotten this far."Elena slammed her cane against the floor. "And you're still blaming that girl?"Linda fell silent.Elena stared at the screen, her face livid. "You all told me the woman I was meeting was Grady's future wife. Meanwhile, you locked the woman he actually planned to marry outside. Did you think I was some fool you could lie to?""Mom, I was only worried about your health...""Don't use my health as an excuse!" Elena yanked the tennis bracelet off Mallory's wrist.Mallory winced as a red mark immediately appear

Chapter 8

It was raining when my flight landed in Blackridge.When I turned on my phone, dozens of missed calls flooded the screen. Every one of them was from Grady.His messages had started with explanations. Then they turned into pleas.The last one contained only a single sentence: [I'm waiting for you at the airport. Please come back.]I stared at it for a long time. Then put my phone away without replying.Even now, he still thought all I wanted was another chance to meet his family, another opportunity to walk through the Cabrera family's front door.But I had no desire to walk through that door ever again.On the way to the office, I texted my attorney: [Proceed as planned.]Half an hour later, my attorney sent Grady an itemized bill.Future home renovation costs: $38,000.Engagement dress deposit and damage: $8,700.Bedding, dinnerware, and appliances Mallory had used without permission: $5,000.There was also the tea set and the neck massager. I didn't ask for either of them

Chapter 9

Six months later, the project officially wrapped up. The lease on my apartment in Blackridge was ending too. My landlord asked if I wanted to renew.I didn't.Instead, I bought a small place near the office. It wasn't big, but I had chosen it myself.After I signed the paperwork, the real estate agent handed me two keys. "Ms. Allen, would you like to leave the spare with a family member?"I shook my head. "I'll keep both."Just then, the doorbell rang. I assumed building management was dropping off the moving paperwork they'd forgotten.It was Grady. He looked much thinner than he had six months ago. He wasn't carrying flowers or a gift, just a plain manila envelope.Eden's smile faded. "What's he doing here?"I didn't open the door.Grady stood outside, as if he knew I was watching through the camera. He looked up at the lens."Brenda, I won't come inside. I just want to ask if you'll give me ten minutes."At the same time, my phone buzzed. He'd sent me the address of the c

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