Chapter 4: Despair!
When I showed up at the bridal shop, a crowd had already formed around Claudia, all fussing over her dress. She looked stunning, wrapped in a custom designer gown covered in diamonds that caught every bit of light, sparkling like she was born to be the center of attention.
And just like that, memories of my wedding day came crashing in. I’d gone alone to try on dresses. No family, no friends, just silence.
The one I picked? Cheapest one in the shop. Barely a hundred bucks.
Russell didn’t even blink and just told me, “It’s just one wedding. Rent a dress. You’re never gonna wear it again anyway.“>
Now here I was, standing in the same room as Russell and Claudia. He was beside her in a sharp groom’s suit, and she was glowing, radiant in that glittering gown.}
What a perfect couple!‘ I scoffed inwardly
Right then, the shop assistant gushed, “Madam, this dress fits you perfectly. When Mr. Fraizer sees you, he’ll be speechless.”
Claudia slipped her arm through Russell’s like it was second nature. “Russell, I really want this dress. Can you buy it for me?“”
“Sure,” he said, tapping her nose with a smile.
The assistant nodded. “This dress is $5 million. Please swipe your card here.“>
Without hesitation, Russell swiped like it was $5 and not $5 million.
I’d already accepted he didn’t love me, but watching that hit like a punch in the chest. The difference between how he treated her and how he treated me was like night and day.
Every second hurt. Every second felt like I was splitting apart.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.}
Claudia lit up when she saw me. “Sis, over here!“}
I sneered to myself at how well she played the role of the sweet sister.
‘So practiced. So fake.‘
My eyes drifted to Russell, standing tail in his tux. He stared at me without the slightest guilt, as if nothing was wrong.
“Claudia’s fiancé’s not here, so I’m trying this on for him. Is there a problem?” he said flatly.
I laughed and shook my head. “No problem.“}
We were already divorced, after all.”
Russell frowned.}
Back in the day, I would’ve lost it if I saw another woman clinging to him. That used to annoy him. But now, I didn’t react. And that annoyed him even more.
But riow? I was numb. I didn’t care.
Seeing my reaction, his lips pressed into a tight line. His stare locked on me like a silent dare.
“Russell, since Nadine doesn’t mind, you can be my one–day groom,” Claudia chirped, twirling around him like a spoiled kid.
“Alright, whatever you say,” he said, looking at her with eyes I’d never seen turned on me.§
She learied in, pouting. “By the way, Russell, let’s go to the French bistro later. I haven’t had it in forever. Nadine, you should come too.” Russell didn’t hesitate as he flatly said, “Okay.“”
I furrowed my brow, about to decline, but he cut in first. “Nadine, it’s rare for you two sisters to spend time together. What is one meal going to kill you?”
I gave a bitter smile and said nothing.”
…E
At the restaurant, Russell ordered every tangy dish Claudia liked. All of them. Not a single thought about me.”
He forgot–or maybe didn’t care–that I couldn’t eat anything tangy because of my gastritis.
So I nibbled on some veggies but winced in pain and spat them out.
“This has peanut sauce?” I asked, stunned.
“You only ate two bites. It won’t kill you. Quit the drama,” Russell snapped. “What are you faking for? You were fine last time.”
My stomach dropped That last time‘ he was talking about? That was the first time he ever cooked for me.§
I knew it had peanuts, but I ate it anyway. And it nearly killed me by having an anaphylactic shock.
Staring at his cold, indifferent face now, I couldn’t even speak.
My throat locked up.
Claudia giggled and leaned closer to Russell. “Russell, I forgot my bag in the car. Can you grab it for me?” He jumped up immediately, like a trained dog.
As soon as he was gone, Claudia’s face twisted. Her sweetness melted away, replaced with that smug cruelty. “Didn’t expect you to survive, she hissed.
I took a sip of water, thankful I hadn’t eaten enough to trigger anything.
I raised an eyebrow and retorted, “I’m not like you. I don’t resort to such low, disgusting tricks. Heaven’s on my side.”
O
9:04 AM
I raised an eyebrow and retorted, “I’m not like you. I don’t resort to such low, disgusting tricks. Heaven’s on my side.“}
I pulled out my phone and tapped to open a video–Dashcam footage from the cab.§
Jacob had helped me get it.”
At that instant, Claudia’s face turned pale.
She lunged for my phone, but I stepped back and she missed.§
Claudia stumbled and hit the floor.
“You bitch!” she snarled.
I crouched down, grabbed her chin, and met her burning glare with my own. “Next time you try something like this, be careful. There will be consequences.”}
Her glare wavered. Then suddenly, she slapped herself hard and repeatedly.
Her cheek instantly swelled and turned red.
My heart thudded, knowing what she was about to do.
Sure enough, she forced out a few tears and wailed, “Nadine, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make Russell my one–day groom. But my fiancé wasn’t here, and I was so lonely. I was wrong. Just hit me, but don’t say anything about Russell.“}
Before I could say a thing, I felt a sharp shove from behind.
A hand gripped my arm and twisted my shoulder around. Then a slap landed across my face.
My vision went blurry. My ears rang.
On the left side, everything went quiet.”
But I still heard Russell’s voice, loud and clear. “Nadine, I didn’t expect you to be this cruel. I can deal with Claudia’s tantrums, but you hit her? Didn’t you learn from last time?”
He turned away, barking, “Get them in here!“}
The bodyguards didn’t even wait. They showed up like they’d been listening the whole time.§
Russell shoved me toward them like I was nothing. “Take her to the basement.“>
My eyes went wide. “Russell, are you insane?“}
I remembered stories–the kind where people got taken to basements and didn’t come out the same. Fingers snapped one by one until you confessed to things you didn’t do.”
My heart beat faster. I had to protect my hands. I’d told Russell once that I even got insurance on them.§
He knew what they meant to me.
He didn’t care.}
He turned to Claudia, gently brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.
“Nadine can lose her hands. Maybe then she’ll finally learn her lesson. You’re getting married, Claudia. No bruises on your face,” Russell said, like it was the most normal thing.”
Then he looked at me, voice cold and sharp. “Breaking your hands is perfect. You’ll stay home and be a full–time wife.“}
Without missing a beat, he barked to his bodyguards, “Take her away.”
I kicked and screamed and fought, but there were too many of them.
And no one came to help.
They shoved me into the car.
And at that moment, all I felt was despair.
1 Despair
