Chapter45
Word of my failed proposal quickly reached both families.
“The Parrish family’s eldest daughter fails proposal and gets dumped” started trending locally.
Celia put on a fake show of tears, and Melvin, my father, blamed me.
“Celia’s very sick. How could you put her through this savage act online? She’s your sister. Fix it. Now!”
I shook my head with a sneer and refused. He stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
It had always been this way. Since Celia was born, Melvin never took my side again.
After her mother’s death a few years ago, he poured even more love into Celia.
In the past, Antonio always had my back, but now even he sided with her
- 100.
Melvin’s endless rant filled the air, but I just looked at the rain outside, staying silent.
Finally, Janet, Antonio’s mother, showed up to save me, with a bruised and battered Antonio trailing behind her..
“Grace,” Antonio said, annoyed at my cold gaze, “don’t think my mom can always save you.”
Janet frowned and smacked Antonio again. “Apologize to Grace!”
Antonio looked at me and muttered, “Sorry.”
Janet. using her close friendship with my mother, scolded Melvin.
Then, she held my hands, her expression softened. “Grace, can we talk for a moment?”
I sighed softly and led her to my bedroom.
As soon as the door closed, tears came to her eyes.
“Grace. I understand you. You’re just like your mom. Once you make up your mind. you never look back. It’s Antonio’s loss,” she whispered.
After a short pause, she added. “I’m not gonna ask you to forgive my son. But if there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word. I’ll always have your back.”
Her words warmed my heart.
After thinking for a moment, I said, “Janet, let Antonio make Celia’s ‘dying wish‘ come true.
She looked surprised, then smiled faintly.
“If that’s what you want, Grace, then so be it. It’s time for Antonio to face the answer to his choices. He’ll regret this.”
We smiled at each other, silently letting the topic slip off and never mentioning Antonio again.
With approval from both families, Antonio started preparing for the wedding
He refused to break up with me. His texts came daily–words of love and pleas for patience
12110
Chapters
I never responded, letting him play the fake lover.
Celia, on the other hand, kept sending photos to provoke me.
Thanks to her. I saw pictures of Antonio flying abroad for custom wedding rings, a super expensive dress, a fancy venue, and luxurious. decorations.
Even a picture of him carefully trimming her toenails.
Celia texted. “Antonio is such a sweetheart. No wonder you couldn’t resist proposing to him!”
By now, it was crystal clear to me–his excuse of not being ready for marriage was just a lie to keep me calm.
If he loved someone, he’d marry her without hesitation.
Celia easily claimed the grand wedding Antonio once promised me, along with every bit of affection.
As I distanced myself from the mess, I decided to dig deeper into his betrayal.
After Celia’s mother entered our lives, my mom had me save the house’s surveillance footage regularly.
“Now, I sat alone at my computer, watching scene after scene of Celia shamelessly pursuing Antonio.”
#7
Chapter46
In the beginning. Antonio turned Celia down. He would rudely push her away and shout at her with the worst cuss words he knew.
But, day by day. Antonio grew less resistant to Celia’s pursuit.
Sometimes, as she cried and pretended to fall to the ground, he would rush over and protect her in his arms.
He loathed and despised her, but somehow he had grown tender and indulgent towards her.
It all happened within 2 years.
Funny, wasn’t it?
I had known Antonio for more than 20 years, and we had been together for more than 10 years. But it only took 2 years for Celia to take him from me!
While they were preparing for their wedding, Celia came to me once.
With a pair of sparkling eyes, she smiled at me so innocently.
She said, “Grace, do you see it now? Your poor mom couldn’t beat my mom. Now, you can’t beat me!”
I smiled and then took a few big steps forward. I grabbed her by the collar and gave her a dozen slaps.
Celia wailed and her voice was so shrill that Antonio came over to check on her
He checked on her wounds in a panic, and then, he madly pushed me to the ground.
He shouted. “You are a vicious one! She’s so ill. How could you have the heart to do this to her?”
I took a glance at my grazed palm and raised my phone with a straight face. The phone was playing the conversation between Celia and me just
now
Both Antonio and Celia’s faces changed color. Antonio seemed to have mixed feelings, and I couldn’t tell if he was suspicious or shocked.
Celia only paused for 2 seconds, then she burst into tears.
“Grace, is this why you call me over? To set me up in front of him?
“I really wanna make peace with you before I die. Can you please not treat me like this?”
Antonio took Celia in his arms with so much gentleness. He bowed his head and then glared at me with a look of disappointment.
‘Since when did you become so unreasonable? I don’t think I can come back to you if you go on like this!”
After Antonio had said this, he picked Celia up, carried her out, and rushed to the hospital.
My throat clenched and pain gripped my chest.
Once again, Antonio chose to believe Celia and left me alone here.
I froze there for a long time, and then, I slowly looked up at the miniature: camera on the ceiling
Time went by so quickly. It was their wedding day.
My dad banned me from the wedding so I would not ruin it for them.
I casually held my phone and had a video chat with Janet. At the same time, she streamed the wedding live for me.
Janet’s camera was focused on Antonio and Celia.
He was tall and handsome in that suit. It was exactly the way I had pictured him as the bridegroom countless times.
His eyes were soft and fixed upon Celia with a tenderness that once belonged to me alone.
Celia lowered her head shyly. A smile danced on her lips, full of joy.
They were a perfect match and so in love with each other. Even I could not deny it
Antonio had promised me many times that he would not kiss the bride on the wedding day, though I had never asked for it.
Yet he did not hesitate to press his lips to hers as she raised her face and stood on her toes.
People cheered and applauded. It was the happiest moment for the new couple, but it was also the moment when the police arrived.
They walked right up to Celia and showed her their badges.
“Are you Celia Parrish??A report has been filed against you. Now you are under investigation in a murder case. Please come with us.”
