Kendrick’s sudden kiss stunned Niamh.
He said he loved her.
He loved a woman who looked just like the ex-wife he hated.
It was ridiculous.
‘You never spared me a glance when I treasured you and regarded you as my one and only.
‘So how dare you tell me you love me when my heart has given up and there’s nothing but hatred left?
‘It’s too late, Kendrick Waldburg.
‘Even if you’ve fallen for me now, it can’t heal and mend the ruthless wounds you’ve inflicted on my heart.’
Giving the excuse that she was unwell, Niamh turned away from Kendrick’s kiss.
Still, she had ‘happily’ accepted Kendrick’s marriage proposal.
Staring at the cerulean sea, Niamh found herself relating the hatred in her heart like the tides and waves before her.
‘This is what you owe me, Kendrick. It’s time you paid it back.’
Kendrick’s heart tightened as he stared quietly at the enchanting smile on Niamh’s face, the spark in his eyes turning dull.
Had he been even the slightest bit aware, perhaps he would not have lost the woman he loved to the harsh reality of time. Now, she was gone and never coming back.
‘Niamh.
‘If ever we get to start all over, you probably wouldn’t choose to love me again, would you?’
…
The wedding ceremony was held the following day.
In the most luxurious hotel that the Waldburg Corporation owned stood Niamh who was donned in her seven-figure wedding gown with her diamond tiara. She held a bouquet in her hands as she made her way toward the handsome man in a tailored suit under the blessings and envious gazes of the attendees.
Light refracted off the chandelier, shimmering and engulfing the angelic queen with a dreamy glow as she took her steps to the stage.
Kendrick could not help but be reminded of his marriage six years ago as he set his eyes on the elegant and dignified aura of the smiling woman in front of him.
His heart raced while his gaze softened.
It was now lunchtime in jail when Nevaeh was met with the live stream of Niamh and Kendrick’s wedding on the television. She was just about to sit in the canteen.
Nevaeh’s eyes reddened with rage as her hands tightened their hold on her lunch tray.
It was the marriage she had longed for! The male lead was the very one she had scrambled her mind for ideas to lay her hands on!
To think that she had finally won Niamh these few years only to realize that everything she did was for naught… Niamh had turned the tables against her in the end!
No!
She refused to accept this!
She refused to accept such an ending!
Bang! Niamh threw the plates on the floor. “You btch! Niamh, you btch! You’ll pay for this!”
Nevaeh’s eyes grew red as a sinister flame burned in them.
Just then, a female inmate rolled her sleeves in displeasure just after her outburst and grabbed Nevaeh by her collar. “F*cker! How dare you throw things at me? You’re the one who’s going to pay!”
Then, the inmate raised a fist to land it across Nevaeh’s face.
Nevaeh wailed in agony after two punches and began to beg for mercy while everyone watched. Some others even gave her a few kicks.
Curling on the floor, Nevaeh clutched her head in fear. “Not my face! Don’t hit my face!”
She begged frightfully, which was rewarded with even fiercer punishment.
Her eyes fell on the television screen where Kendrick was currently helping Niamh wear her ring. Envy and hatred swarmed her as she watched the two exchange saccharine-sweet vows. Blood seemed to flow from Nevaeh’s eyes from the fury within her as she balled her fists and clenched her jaw, spitting a name out.
“Niamh Delgado!”
…
The ceremony ended beautifully, marking another step in Niamh’s plan toward her goal.
Even though the ceremony was against her heart’s wishes, she was glad to at least have Jackson as her flower boy.
Amidst the attendees, she found that Eloise and Sean had come to give their blessings as well.
In a way, it could be said that she had gotten her parent’s approval.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Waldburg only seemed irked about the situation.
One of Mrs. Waldburg’s friends, who was also a rich man’s wife, came over to congratulate her. “What a great daughter-in-law this is, Mrs. Waldburg. She’s rich, good at her job, and beautiful. You’ve got to be satisfied this time, right?”
“So what if she’s rich? It’s not like the Waldburg family is broke! You can find beautiful girls all over the world. Her appearance is only average!”
Mrs. Waldburg rolled her eyes disdainfully at Niamh who was drinking with the other guests. After turning around, she found Eloise and Sean and immediately went over to talk to them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Waldburg, I couldn’t believe Nevaeh was a fake when I heard the news. Oh, how I used to trust her. In the end, I was played into her lies.” Mrs. Waldburg huffed, severing any relations between them.
Eloise sighed sadly. “Here I thought that I had finally found my daughter and was about to become in- laws with your family too, Mrs. Waldburg. I can’t believe it ended like this.”
Mrs. Waldburg agreed. “Who would have thought that Nevaeh’s family is actually so vicious? I would’ve sued her for marital fraud had it not been for the child she gave Kendrick!”
Fury flared in her eyes before her expression turned into a sympathetic one.
“The Montgomery family is well known within Glendale. It’s a pity that you haven’t found your daughter yet for it would be an honor to become in-laws with you. Had you found your daughter sooner, perhaps she and Kendrick would grow close and we wouldn’t have to settle for this woman here!” Mrs. Waldburg spoke as she glared at Niamh.
Eloise followed her gaze to find a gorgeous-looking Niamh clad in an angelic wedding gown.
Her heart clenched inexplicably.
“Vera Quinn isn’t all that bad.”
“You have no idea, Mrs. Montgomery. This woman is even worse than Kendrick’s ex-wife, Niamh Delgado! Seeing her face makes me want to puke!”
“You’re allowed to retire early, Mother, if you feel uncomfortable.”
Niamh’s soft voice wafted over from behind, stunning Mrs. Waldburg who turned around and pursed her lips distastefully at the sight of her. “What an eyesore!”
Her tone was displeased, then she turned and left.
With Mrs. Waldburg gone, Niamh found the air much cleaner and easier to breathe.
A smile graced her lips as she turned to Eloise and Sean. “Thank you for attending. Here’s a toast to you.”
Niamh downed a small glass of red wine.
“Congratulations, Miss Vera,” Eloise said, her eyes no longer bearing the same sharp glint it once did.
Congratulations?
Niamh smiled faintly. The only thing to congratulate her about was for her almost completing her revenge plan.
At that moment, Kendrick walked over as well.
In his tailored black suit, the man’s charms oozed off him in waves.
“Miss Vera is a great match for you, Mr. Waldburg. I’m sorry for the hurtful words I’ve said to you to defend Nevaeh.” Eloise apologized.
Kendrick’s lips quirked into a casual smile. “I never cared what other people thought of me.”
With that, he placed an arm around Niamh’s shoulders. “Today must’ve been exhausting. Let’s go home early, hmm?”
“Yeah.” Niamh nodded dotingly.
“Miss Vera!” Eloise suddenly rushed up to stop Niamh from leaving.
Both Niamh and Kendrick came to a halt. “Is something wrong, Mrs. Montgomery?”
“It’s just…”
Eloise seemed uneasy as she spoke.
“We’ve been trying to find clues about our daughter but we haven’t got a single lead at all. So, we were wondering if you could possibly recall if Rose and Nevaeh had said anything about my daughter?”
Ah, so they were now coming for her, their daughter.
Niamh lamented and parted her lips to answer only for Kendrick to interrupt her. “Perhaps I can help. Does your daughter have any special characteristics?”
Eloise and Sean’s eyes shone. “Oh! My daughter has a very special birthmark!”
Niamh’s expression changed at her words.
Birthmark.
Her plan would be forced to end should Eloise speak of the birthmark on her body.
“What birthmark?” Kendrick asked curiously.
“It’s a but—”
“I’m feeling a little dizzy, Kendrick…”
Niamh’s brows furrowed just as Eloise began to describe the butterfly-shaped birthmark. She then leaned weakly against Kendrick.
His attention immediately went back to Niamh.
He carried her right away. “I’ll send you to the hospital.”
“It’s alright, I think I’m just tired,” Niamh replied softly as she leaned against his shoulder.
Eloise and Sean’s eyes shone inexplicably with concern as they watched Kendrick carry Niamh away.
The night darkened while the evening wind rustled the leaves of the tree in front of the window frame.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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