ica'

roat ached, and my body seemed to have given up on me. I cried until there were no tears left to shed. The

wards it, already knowing that it was Timothy. My fingers moved restle

a second later, his voice

me back. I'm on my

illow. Timothy. The man I loved. The man who was supposed to be

the sharp screech of tires outside. My bo

ion was a mess-red, swollen eyes, disheveled hair, a lifeless expression. I fi

I heard voices from the

anywhere tonight," my father's v

ion clear in his voice. "She sounded fine wh

ned unmoved. "C

illed with disappointment. My che

alled out, ste

his expression-first relief, then confusion, and finally concern. He s

he asked, his voice

ll him for help, but before I coul

" he ordered. "Your mother will

his eyes squinting. "What are

away. I glanced back at him, my heart pained as he looked at me with concern an

seated me, her express

," she said gently. "He's wealt

d with disbelief. "Mom

he murmured, i

hes. I sat there, watching in horror as my life was taken from me bit b

he whispered b

y remaining strength. The room's quiet enveloped me completely as

ext d

ake jolted

father's vo

to find several men in black suits st

ther said, his tone disturbingly

nt of remorse, of regret-but there

Just a numb acceptance that I h

followed them out without looking back at

atching as the city lights blurred together. My body was exhausted, m

we've a

lumber. I blinked awake, my eyes

s the only word

Expensive cars filled the parking lot, and well-dressed gues

the moment I stepped through

Powerful businessmen. The

rd, they began dressing me-slipping me into a white wedding gown that felt like a prison. Heavy

nothing. Ju

abbed my arms and led me to the

ond

black suit. Handsome, yes-but there was something in his e

smiled-a slow, devilish gri

rely registered in my mind. I was trapped i

vows. Then the pr

s my

as I stood there,

t in Raymond's expression. The sha

ipped m

I clenched my fists, my n

" I wh

felt lik

d. "You may now

wasted

I could react, his lips crashed against mine in a possessive,

, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispe

u belon