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In the video, I knelt before a man in a seductive pose. The man was tall, muscular–a minor figure in the Weber Family’s inner circle. On–screen, I let out indecent moans, my body twisting with exaggerated lust. My voice was honeyed and wanton.
“Brother, I helped you steal the Weber Family’s documents,” I cooed. “Isn’t it time you reward me?“}
I handed him the folder. He grinned, satisfied.
“Andrew trusted you with such an important negotiation,” he sneered. “And this is how you repay him?“}
I laughed in the video, eyes gleaming. “Once I seduce Andrew and become Mrs. Weber, I can do whatever I want with him.”
The man laughed obscenely as he reached for his belt.
The implication was obvious. The video cut off before it showed more, but the message was clear. The hall filled with gasps and revulsion. Some female guests turned away, covering their mouths in disgust.
I stood frozen, hands clenched tightly. The video had a manufactured feel–slightly blurry, just enough to blur the edges and hide the imperfections. But the technology was advanced. Too realistic. It looked damning.
Andrew’s face had gone dark, eyes filled with fury. I knew then–explaining would be pointless. He had already decided.}
I dropped to my knees, trying to buy time with the only card I had left–submission.
“Andrew, please,” I said softly. “Let the wedding go on. I’ll listen to you from now on. Whatever punishment you want, I’ll accept it.“}
Laughter rippled through the crowd.§
“This is the first time I’ve seen a bride begging her groom to marry her. How pathetic.”}
“Exposed and still trying to get into the Weber Family? Disgusting.“}
“She’s the kind of villainess you only see in TV dramas. Shameless!“}
“She should feel honored just to donate her eyes to Miss Knight, but she dares to scheme her way into the family? The Weber Family has really gone soft.“}
Still, there was no message on my phone. No sign of Leander. My last chance hadn’t come through.}
Andrew stared down at me, voice ice–cold. “You want to marry into the Weber Family after this? Do you think you’re worthy of being my wife?”
He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
“Your eyes… they’re beautiful,” he said, inspecting them like objects. “But without them, what are you?“>
He reached into his jacket and drew a dagger.”
It gleamed under the lights–cold, ornate, and familiar.
I knew that knife. I had carved it myself.”
Nine hundred and ninety–nine days. That’s how long I spent perfecting the intricate design, learning the art just for him. A gift for when he became the head of the Weber Family.
Now, he was about to use it on me.}
The silver blade reflected my own face–pitiful, humiliated, trembling. And suddenly, the memories surged back.
The mental hospital.
The bruises, the screams muffled by pillows. Doctors, nurses, orderlies–everyone was allowed to hurt me. Diane had made sure of it. They beat me, starved me, drugged me. And every time, they said the same thing:
“She’s a mental patient. This is normal.“}
They taught me something in that place.”
If being a mental patient meant everything done to me was justified…}
Then maybe, just maybe, everything I did in return was justified too.
Andrew gripped my jaw tighter. The dagger hovered inches from my eyes.”
“You want to use those eyes to manipulate me?” he said quietly. “Then you don’t deserve them.”
I struggled. Desperately. But he was stronger.}
Then he turned to Marco in the audience.}
“I’m going to take your sister’s eyes,” he said. “Do you object?”
Marco stared, silent. A muscle twitched in his jaw. He remembered, as I did, how many times I had begged for him. How I’d refused his hand again and again, choosing humiliation over escape.}
He knew I wouldn’t leave with him.
He shrugged. “She’s your woman. Do what you want.”
The last resistance vanished.
The crowd roared in cruel support.
“Dig out her eyes! Give that poisonous woman what she deserves!”
“Even her brother doesn’t want her. Just do it already!“>
“Serves her right! She deserves worse!“}
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The last resistance vanished.
The crowd roared in cruel support.
“Dig out her eyes! Give that poisonous woman what she deserves!“>
“Even her brother doesn’t want her. Just do it already!“}
“Serves her right! She deserves worse!“}
Andrew raised the dagger high.”
The cheers grew louder. Diane began to sob again, face buried in her hands. Her best friend whispered fake comfort, her eyes gleaming with triumph.
Everyone wanted my blood. Everyone wanted me to fall.
Ellen, in the crowd, clutched Marco’s arm and whispered anxiously, “Marco… won’t you go save her?“}
He looked at me, conflicted, then shook his head. “It’s no use. She won’t come with me.“>
The dagger drew closer.
I closed my eyes, not in fear–but in calm.
So this was it. No sign of Leander. No salvation. Had he changed his mind? Had he abandoned me at the last second?>
I opened my eyes, looked straight into Andrew’s, and asked:
“I gave you twenty years of my life. My loyalty. My everything. Did you ever love me, even for a second?“}
Andrew hesitated. But only for a breath.
Then his voice rang out, cruel and firm: “No. Never.“}
A cold laugh escaped my lips.
“Good,” I said quietly. “That makes it easier.“>
Just then, a vibration buzzed softly from the hidden pocket inside my gown.
Bzzz.
I froze. The sound was like a bell from heaven.
I glanced down.
[Mental Illness Certificate: Successfully Received.]}
12:18 PM dd.
Waldweg
With a sickening pop, the blade pierced flesh.
The entire banquet hall went deathly still.