Chapter 4
They closed in, yanking at my clothes. But I wasn’t scared.
The next second, Jeff rushed in and kicked one of them straight to the ground.
He grabbed my arm, panic in his voice. “Tahlia, are you okay?”
His eyes were sincere. And for a brief moment, I felt guilty for using him.
I pressed a hand to my swollen check and shook my head. “I’m fine…”
After the photos leaked this morning, I figured Philip would retaliate for Kate. So I sent a message to Jeff ahead of time, asking him to help.
At first, he didn’t believe Philip would stoop that low.
But now, seeing me nearly assaulted, his face darkened with fury.
“Tahlia, I’m taking these bastards straight to the station. I swear, you’ll get justice.”
I looked up, eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you, Jeff.”
After giving my statement at the police station, I took the chance to visit the Gorman family’s ancestral grave. The moment I placed Philip’s hair inside, lightning cracked across the sky. The wind roared. Rain poured down.
Within three days, the Gorman family was ruined!
When I got back to the residence to pack my things, I knew it was time to leave.
0546
But when Philip saw me, clothes torn and bruised, he actually thought his plan had worked.
“Tahlia, don’t blame me.
“My grandpa’s too stubborn. Ruining your reputation was the only way to stop him from marrying you into the Gorman family.”
The moment he finished, Kate came down the stairs in an elaborate white wedding dress.
Tahlia, Philip has already booked the venue and my gown. We’re getting married in three days.”
And when Andrew heard what had happened to me? He didn’t punish Philip. Instead, he told me to stay put in the Gorman’s residence, like nothing ever happened.
“Tahlia, even if Philip marries Kate, as long as you stay here, I won’t treat you badly.”
I knew what he was really after–he still wanted me around to break the curse. He wasn’t letting me go.
Philip paused, then added, “You can stay here as a maid. Serve Kate well, and I promise you’ll never have to worry about food or money again.”
So they wouldn’t treat me right, but they still didn’t want to let me leave?
Nice try. The world doesn’t work like that–you don’t get to have it both ways!
Just then, Jeff stepped through the Gorman’s residence doors.
Philip looked surprised. “It’s late. What are you doing here?”
Jeff gave me a glance, a flicker of a smile in his eyes.
Chapter 4
“I’m here to take my fiancée home.”
Philip froze. “Your fiancée? Who?”
Jeff walked up beside me and held out his hand.
“Let’s go, Tahlia.”
Philip yanked him aside, voice sharp. “What the hell did you just say?!”
