Chapter 2 I froze, staring down at the diamond ring he had just slipped onto my finger. Norwell didn't refuse, he only turned to look at me. Tears shimmered in Lucy's eyes as she whispered, "And... since I'm ill, it's hard for me to move around. Could you be our bridesmaid and bring us the rings?" He frowned, hesitating for a moment. Every gaze in the room shifted to me, full of strange expectation. I looked at Norwell. His fingers pressed protectively against her shoulder, the kind of touch that screamed shelter. "Cynthia, take it off for her. I'll buy you a bigger, better one later..." I slipped off the ring, as if tearing out a piece of my own heart. I had just barely made it through the ceremony when Lucy insisted on having me in a photo with them. Just as I steadied myself, someone stepped on my hem. I stumbled, and the person beside me shrieked, tumbling straight toward the champagne tower. "Lucy!" Norwell cried out. He lunged forward and shoved me aside with brutal force. I fell backward into the champagne tower, and a shard of glass sliced across my spine, the blood soaking through my wedding gown. In his arms, she wept with fragile beauty, her words trembling. "I only wanted a picture together. I never thought she would push me..." The searing pain left me gasping for breath. Around me, guests cried out in shock, and then came Norwell's furious roar. "Cynthia! If you didn't want to be a bridesmaid, you could've just said so. Did you really need to be this vicious?" He held her close, whispering, "It's alright, I'll take you to the hospital." Then he carried her away without a single glance back. I stood there drenched, my back burning with pain. Watching his retreating figure, a laugh broke from my lips. I laughed until the tears came and wouldn't stop. Chapter 2 20.00% Nar me semembered that under was supposed to be my wedding Ten years of dreams shared, and I alone knew, today was the funeral of our love. At the hospital, the shands of glass embedded in my flesh were placked out one by one, as if every memory of the past decade I had devoted to him was being ripped from my skin. When he couldn't afford rent, I shared a damp basement with him Then his start-up lacked funds, I sold the house my parents had given me. When his business collapsed and debts piled high, I worked three jobs by day and cooked and cleaned for him at night. In the car accident, I threw myself forward to shield him, and he knelt at my bedside swearing to the heavens "If I, Norwell Harris, ever betray or deceive Cynthia Sinclair, may I lose everything-my career, my wealth, even my life.TM The vow was weighty, earnest and as light as air. He once said, "Cynthia, you're the best thing that ever happened to me." He once said, "When I succeed, I'll hold a grand wedding for you, one so magnificent the whole world will witness our happiness." But in the end, what he gave me was ab Darkness swallowed my Chapter 2 S voice. u with tender coaxing and tearful pleas. or you... Shh, don't cry." ened to you, I don't know what I'd do. You scared me half to death." 20.00% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!