Chapter 4
“It doesn’t matter who you marry, but the one thing you should never have done was disrespect my mom’s wedding dress!”
Emmett’s eyes darted away, his
his confident façade faltering as he
stammered out an excuse.
“Marina, let me explain.
“Paula saw the dress when she came over. She was just curious, that’s all -just wanted to try it on for a bit. She was
“Don’t be so petty, okay?”
- it. She was going to give it right back.
ના ઉચા પાસે
Seeing the fire in my eyes, he took a deep breath, trying to reason with me as if I were the one out of line.
to walk down the aisle with me. Isn’t
What are you so upset
“At least she wore your mom’s dress that kind of fulfilling your mom’s last wish? about?”
I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they might shatter.
But his shameless words still managed
shock me.
Emmett’s buddies glared at me with open hostility, making it clear Paulina wasn’t about to take off the dress willingly.
Emmett stood protectively in front of her, as if I were the troublemaker.
Among the crowd, Paulina’s friends and coworkers whispered to each other, their voices just loud enough for me to hear.
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Chapter 4
“Who’s this side chick? Some washed–up old woman with no shame, trying to steal the bride’s dress.”
“Yeah, look at her–way past her prime. Emmett’s one of the top CEOs in New York. Why would he ever want her?”
Paulina, seeing I wasn’t leaving, clung to Emmett, crying like a damsel in distress.
But the look she shot me was smug and triumphant.
I pulled out my phone and dialed.
“Hello, I’d like to report a theft. My wedding dress, worth 35,000 dollars, has been stolen and is currently being worn by the thief.”
“What are you talking about? Who are you calling a thief?!
“Emmie, look at her!”
pale. Crying in fear, she hurried to take off the dress.
Paulina’s face turned pale. Crying
“Marina, stop saying crazy things! I won’t wear it, okay? If I’d known a dead woman had worn it, I’d have thrown it out ages ago.
ན་རང་ ངད་བསྟེན་བསགར
She tossed the dress at me in disgust, knocking over a plate of gravy the process.
A few guests‘ dogs immediately lunged at it, tearing into the fabric.
in
A
1 T
Ronyers of shy
In an instant, the dress was filthy, shredded into pieces by the dogs.
My heart twisted in agony.
I lunged forward, grabbed Paulina by the hair, and slapped her hard across the face.
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છે. વધુમાં વધુ પ
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Chapter 4
Paulina collapsed to the ground, sobbing.
“My ear hurts! I can’t hear, Emmie!”
Emmett rushed over, eyes full of concern, scooping her up in his arms.
He stomped on my hand as I tried to pick up the tattered dress, shouting, “Enough, Marina! It’s just a damn dress!
“Paula’s a music major–if her ear’s damaged, what’s she supposed to do with her life?
“Is a dead woman more important than someone living?!”
I stared at him in disbelief.
Emmett was an orphan–my mom had supported him his whole life.
Even when he started his business, it was my mom who helped him.
Now that she was gone, he dared to call her “a dead woman.‘
Realizing he’d gone too far, Emmett softened his tone.
“Rina, that’s not what I meant.
“I’ll take Paula to the hospital first. When I get back, I’ll divorce her.
“Next month, on Mrs. Abrell’s memorial, we’ll get our marriage license.”
He rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted.
THE
“I’ll buy you another dress–just consider this one ruined. Please, stop making a scene, okay?”
“Thirty–five thousand dollars. Not a cent less.”
I stared coldly at Paulina, who was still sobbing
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sobbing on cue.
s
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Chapter 4
Emmett’s face darkened.
“Thirty–five thousand? We’re supposed to be family–haven’t you made enough trouble?
“If you keep this up, we won’t be getting married at all.”
I knew all of Emmett’s spare cash was tied up in the stock market, and Paulina was broke.
He wanted to play the hero.
But coughing up 35,000 would kill him.
Too bad–it wasn’t going to kill me.
જો કે કાળા વા
Cradling the ruined dress, I looked at the fragile damsel in his arms and Emmett’s ashen face.
Expressionless, I made my announcement.
“I’ve already reported the damage to the police. And for the record, I,
Azzing Abrell, don’t want secondhand
goods T
leaving you.
“Consider this 35,000–dollar bill my wedding gift
to you.
I’m the one
“I wish you and your precious soulmate a lifetime of happiness.”
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