5.015
Chapter 9
That’s when a familiar voice drifted from the next room. “Mr. Wells, for my father’s sake, you’ve got to
I peeked through the curtain. It was indeed Cameron.[]
He sat across from a middle–aged banker in an expensive suit.[]
“Two million is already a favor.” Mr. Wells stood up. “I don’t own the damn bank.“[]
He didn’t even touch his coffee before bolting out of there like Cameron had the plague.[]
help me out here.“[]
I looked at Marcus questioningly, but he just dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Time to pick up Casper.“[]
Outside the restaurant, we ran into Cameron smoking against the wall.[]
His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Sarah!“]]
2
Then he noticed Marcus and his voice went sharp. “Marcus Blake? What the hell are you doing with my wife?”]
I stepped away from his reaching hand. “Mr. Pierce, we’re nothing to each other. I had already burned that fake marriage certificate.“]
He froze like I’d slapped him. “Why…”
I laughed bitterly. “Why? You’ve got some nerve asking me that?“[]
“You framed my dad for Mia, and now you’re asking why? I watched my mom hang herself! Watched Emma get hit by a car! You’re asking why?!“]]
He was shaking all over. “You… you know everything…“]
“And you murdered our baby!” I continued, every word was a knife. “I wish you’d just drop dead!“]]
He clutched his chest, face going white. “I’m sorry.”
“Save it for my parents‘ graves.” I turned to leave.]]
He lunged forward to grab me, but Marcus’s bodyguard slammed him to the ground.
After a few minutes, a pair of designer heels clicked to a stop in front of him.[]
“Sarah, you came back…” His smile froze mid–sentence.
Mia stood there with red–rimmed eyes. “Cameron, my dad’s dead and the Richardsons threw me out. I’m pregnant–can you please…“[]
She paused and went on: “You already beat the shit out of me last time. So you are not angry now, right?”
“Pregnant?” Cameron laughed coldly. “When did I ever touch you?“]
Mia’s face went stiff. “But… but you love me, right? I have nothing left now…”
v…“[]
“Once my dad got arrested, they seized my car and apartment. Can you spare some cash…“[]
“You disgust me, Mia.” Cameron spat out each word.[]
Mia grabbed his sleeve desperately, her wailing drawing looks from everyone around.[]
When they reached the staircase, Cameron shoved her away hard. “Get the fuck away from me!“[]
“AHHH-”
Mia tumbled down a dozen concrete steps, slamming into the pavement.[]
She writhed in pain as blood slowly pooled beneath her.[]
Chapter 10
I moved back into my family’s house with Casper.[]
The second I opened the door, I found Mrs. Williams, our old housekeeper,
wait.
“Miss Sarah!” She was already tearing up. “Look how thin you are. You’ve been through so much.“]
Mrs. Williams had been with us for fifteen years. Having her back made us both cry.[]
That night I was scrolling my phone in bed when Casper came bouncing in, tail going crazy.
When I saw what was in his mouth, my face went bright red.]]
Casper had Marcus’s boxers!]
“Casper, drop it!” I grabbed the underwear from him, my hands burning.
I crept toward the bathroom, hoping to sneak them back unnoticed. But when I pushed open the door, I walked right into Marcus’s knowing smirk.
He was drying his hair, water drops sliding down his neck.
“I… that was… Casper took them!” I held up the boxers like evidence, wanting to crawl under a rock.[]
A smile broke across his face, transforming his normally stern expression into something gentle. My heart stuttered at the sight.]
He took the boxers and whispered, “You’re turning red. Sarah.“]]
I stepped back and almost fell. He caught me before I could hit the floor.[]
Through the thin towel, I felt his heat and went completely still.]
His voice was rough. “Don’t move.“[]
But I was like I was under a spell, standing on my toes to kiss him.[]
“Marcus… thank you. For everything. For getting my house back.“[]
“For clearing my dad’s name. For all of it.“]
His lips brushed my ear, making me shiver.]
“Sarah, you know that’s not what I want from you.“]]
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “This place has terrible memories. Will you help me make better ones?“]
His breathing got heavy as he swept me up in his arms.
…0
Later, Cameron somehow tracked down where I was staying.[]
Marcus and I were eating breakfast when Mrs. Williams hurried in. “Miss Sarah, there’s someone outside making a mess.”
I opened the door to find Cameron looking absolutely wrecked in my driveway. Bloodshot eyes, designer suit wrinkled to hell, knees bleeding through his pants.[]
“Sarah…” His voice was completely shot. “I spent three days on my knees at your dad’s grave.“[]
The bruises on his forehead proved it.[]
“I’m so fucking sorry! I know I screwed up!” He collapsed to his knees. “Mia got in my head… I never wanted your dad dead…“[]
What about my mom? My sister?” I cut him off coldly.]
He started hitting himself in the face. “I’m a piece of shit! I should be dead“]
Marcus pulled me close. “Don’t you have anything better to do, Pierce?“[]
“Who the fuck are you?!” Cameron exploded. “Sarah! He’s obviously using you!“[]
I laughed bitterly, lacing my fingers through Marcus’s and kissing him softly. “He’s my flance
1 turned to security. “Get this stalker off my propertyr“]
Cameron’s face went white as they dragged him away, looking completely broken.[]
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One month later.[]
Our wedding day was absolutely perfect.[]
I stood in my dress while Mrs. Williams adjusted my veil, eyes watery. “You’re gorgeous, honey. I really wish Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were here to see this..”
When Marcus walked in, he couldn’t take his eyes off me.]]
r.)
Suddenly, his assistant rushed in and whispered something in his ear.
Marcus’s face shifted slightly as he waved the guy away.
“What’s wrong?” I caught the look.]
He took my hand gently. “The Pierce empire collapsed. Cameron… he jumped.”
My bouquet trembled in my hands.[]
Marcus quickly took the flowers and squeezed my fingers. “Forget all that. Today, it only belongs to us.”
During the ring exchange, I heard someone in the audience whisper.
“I heard Mia had a complete breakdown. They put her in a psychiatric facility.”
Whatever.
Marcus’s kiss drowned out everything else.[]
Later that night, I was curled up in Marcus’s arms.]
“Marcus,” I said suddenly, “when did you first fall for me?“]
His hold tightened. “Senior year, winter. Some guys cornered me in an alley and beat the shit out of me. My mom came looking for me and passed out when she saw the blood.“]
I sat up–I remembered that day.
I’d seen this bloody kid holding an unconscious woman and called 911 immediately.[]
He pulled me back down. “You covered our entire hospital bill. Left eight grand in cash–that was like three months‘ pay for my mom.]
His eyes were intense in the moonlight. “Right then I decided I’d become someone good enough for you.“[]
“When your family got destroyed, I flew back from London that same night.” His voice went rough. “Just to see wedding photos of you and him.“[]
1 touched his face gently. “What about now?“[]
is.“0
“Now,” he kissed my forehead, “you’re finally in my arms.”
