Chapter 4
Early the next morning, Vanessa came to knock on my door, inviting me to go shopping. She insisted it was to make up for her neglect of Noreen.
Slipping her arm through Elliott’s, she cooed, “Elliott, you must come with us and pay the bills. Rosa has suffered so much this past year. It’s only right that we properly compensate her.”
From her posture to her tone, everything seemed to suggest she was the lady of the house.
My silence annoyed Elliott. “Rosa, Vani is being generous. She was in agony all night because her milk stopped—all because you and Noreen upset her yesterday. But she’s generous to let it slide. Don’t push your luck.”
It seemed he had forgotten that the walls were far from soundproof. I had been forced to endure the sound of their sickening moans all night.
A sick feeling still churned in my stomach, but I swallowed my words and simply nodded.
At the mall, Elliott and Vanessa always walked ahead of me, their arms linked.
He was in a custom-tailored suit, and she was draped in a limited-edition designer dress. They were the picture of a perfect match, basking in the saleswoman’s flattery.
Meanwhile, I limped along behind them. My worn-out clothes drew scornful glances from the same staff.
Whenever someone curiously asked who I was, Elliott would shoot me a glance before offering an awkward smile. “She’s a maid from the household. My wife insisted on buying some new clothes for her.”
One saleswoman fawned over them with a smile. “Mr. Gildon, Mrs. Gildon, you’re not only a stunning couple but so incredibly kind-hearted. To show such generosity to your maid… People with hearts like yours are destined for a long and happy life together.”
On the way back, a dozen masked motorcyclists in peaked caps forced our car to the shoulder.
They surrounded us, smashed the windows, and demanded 15 million dollars. Elliott was unmistakably their target.
“Fifteen million is nothing to me,” Elliott said. “But I don’t carry that kind of cash. Let us go, and I’ll withdraw it right away.”
The leader scoffed, “Mr. Gildon, do we look like fools to you? We heard you’re getting married. So, which one is the lucky bride? We’ll take her as our hostage. For every hour you’re late, she’ll lose a finger.”
Vanessa and I looked at Elliott simultaneously. These were clearly ruthless thugs, and their promises were worthless.
Elliott was clearly thinking the same. After a tense silence, he shoved me forward. “Take her. She’s my fiancée. You can verify it online—her photos are everywhere. Now, let us go.”
I could only gape at him, utterly stunned. Was this the reason for his enthusiastic online posts?
To build me up as a human shield for Vanessa?
To warn Elliott not to try anything stupid, the leader cut off one of my fingers without hesitation. Blood gushed out immediately.
All the color drained from my face. Through a haze of blinding pain, I fixed my gaze on Elliott. “Elliott, are you sure you won’t regret this?”
A wave of guilt visibly overwhelmed him under my intense gaze. He tilted his head away. “Rosa, Vani has no one else to depend on but me. I made a vow to protect her. Just… endure this for a little while. I will make it up to you.
“I’ll withdraw the money right now. Then I’ll come back for you.”
After saying this, he grabbed Vanessa’s hand and left without hesitation.
Staring blankly at their retreating figures, I suddenly realized my marriage had been nothing but a ridiculous joke.
Two hours past the agreed time, I lost two more fingers.
The leader grew impatient and sent a scout to the Gildon’s mansion. The man returned soon after, fuming. “Fuck! We’ve been played!
“You know what the butler said? That Mr. Gildon was ‘tucking his beloved in’ and didn’t have time for me! The bitch who left with him is his real fiancée. This one here is just a decoy!”
A fresh wave of pain shot from my hand through my entire body, but suddenly, the physical agony was nothing compared to the utter devastation deep down in my heart.
Enraged, the leader grabbed me by the hair and yanked my head back. “You bitch! How dare you lie to me! I’m gonna kill you!”
A second before the blade could slash my throat, Elliott finally showed up.
But he hadn’t come with cash. Instead, he arrived with dozens of bodyguards, who swiftly subdued the thugs.
Staring at him, I let out a cold laugh. So, he hadn’t been withdrawing money at all. Instead, he had spent the last two hours tucking Vanessa in.
On the way back, he bandaged my wounds while apologizing, “Rosa, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how painful this is. But… you’re braver than Vani. Such scenes are too much for her to take.
“I’ll totally let Ralph down if anything happens to her. Surely, you understand, don’t you?”
Already fed up with his lame excuses, I waved my hand wearily. “Enough. I get it. Don’t worry about it.”
He nodded with a relieved smile. “I knew it. Rosa, you’re as understanding as always. After I hold a wedding with Vani, I’ll deal with all my enemies. No one gets to hurt you again.”
Was it for me? Or Vanessa? He knew the answer better than anyone.
I took a deep breath to swallow these words back.
The day of their wedding arrived. Before leaving, Elliott took my hand. “Rosa, thank you for being so understanding. Once this is over, I’ll take you and Noreen on a trip.”
I smiled while straightening his tie, “Alright. Go ahead. You don’t wanna keep Vanessa waiting.”
He shot me a surprised look, stunned by how calm I was. After all, I had fought him over Vanessa at every turn in the past.
But time was pressing, so he didn’t dwell on it and headed to the hotel.
After his retreating figure vanished from my sight, I averted my gaze. It was time for me and Noreen to leave.
In the hotel, the officiant asked, “Mr. Gildon, do you take Vanessa Snider to be your wife?”
Just as Elliott was about to respond, Aaron barged in. “Bad news, Mr. Gildon! Right after you left, accomplices of those thugs from the other day broke in and took Mrs. Gildon and Ms. Gildon away!
“They just sent a video. They… They’ve killed Mrs. Gildon and Ms. Gildon!”
