8
541words
He turned to Leo, placing a firm, approving hand on his shoulder.
"Leo’s a good man. You two fit. Marry him? Tell me first." His eyes softened. "Remember... this will always be your home."
I nodded, tears welling. Words felt inadequate. They were my true family. I would protect them fiercely.
But peace was fleeting. Days later, Mrs Wright’s frantic call shattered the calm:
"Amelia! Hospital! Your father... he’s fading!"
I raced there. William Wright was already slipping away...
Something inside me fractured.
I caught his last moment—a flicker of love in his eyes before they dulled forever.
Mrs Wright crumpled, sobs wracking her body.
Police later revealed the truth: Isabella.
She’d returned within a day, "apologizing." Their kindness blinded them to their birth daughter’s malice.
She’d poisoned his heart medication. By the time they knew, it was too late.
I visited her holding cell. Isabella met my gaze, eyes wild, lips stretched in a grotesque smile.
"Well? Is the old bastard dead?"
Rage, white-hot and primal, surged through me.
"He was your father!"
"So?!" She slammed against the bars. "What did Ido wrong? Abandoned! You lived like royalty! Why should I suffer?!"
"His eyes only saw you! One mistake, and he hit me!"
"I just treated him like my what I did to my adoptive parents."
"They deserved it. He deserved it!"
Spittle flew from her lips. She was utterly unhinged.
I wiped a tear, my smile cold and razor-sharp.
"Don’t gloat. Evil meets evil."
"Enjoy the rest of your miserable existence in prison!"
...
I accepted Leo’s proposal.
He orchestrated everything—the ceremony, the Venetian ballroom venue, every exquisite detail.
A blessing. Mr Wright had been right. Leo was exceptional.
Our wedding was a constellation of the city’s elite and press.
Under the floral arch, the officiant led us through our vows.
As we reached for the rings,
a shabby figure burst through the crowd, stumbling onto the stage. Unshaven, clothes rumpled — Gavin.
He dropped to one knee before me.
"Amelia! Don’t marry him!" He clutched the ring he’d once placed on Isabella’s finger. "I know you’re punishing me! It worked! Marry me! I’ll cherish you forever—I swear!"
"Gavin, still delusional?" My voice was ice. "Us? Over. I tolerated you for family ties. You, who nearly bankrupted Payne Corp in a year? Why would I choose failure?"
Gavin froze, denial twisting his features.
"No! You’re lying! You’re still angry about the engagement!" He began slapping his own face, hard. "I was wrong! Wrong! Tell me! What must I do?!"
Security swarmed, dragging the screaming, thrashing Gavin away.
The ceremony resumed. Leo leaned close, his breath warm against my ear.
"Amelia... I’ve waited forever for this..." His voice thickened. "Truthfully? At your first engagement... I wanted to stop it..."
Warmth, sweet and sure, flooded my chest.
I held out my hand. Leo slid the ring onto my finger—a perfect fit. A silent vow sealed.
Gavin vanished. Rumors swirled—another failed venture, crushing debt. They said he fled to Myanmar, a ghost swallowed by shadows.
His fate meant nothing.
My life, bright and boundless, was only just beginning.
