It wasn’t until Horace shouted that I snapped out of it.
Right. Wasn’t Clement supposed to be mentally challenged?”
But now, as he stood beside me, his eyes were sharp and steady, his posture full of confidence, even pride. And the way he looked at me, possessive, protective, there was nothing “fool” about him at all.
Horace, on the other hand, looked completely unhinged. His eyes were bloodshot, and having known him for years, I recognized that expression–he was about to lose control.
I had no interest in arguing with him, so I was about to grab Clement’s hand and turn to go back inside.
But Horace stepped forward and yanked me back.
“Lovell! Answer me! Is it because of him that you won’t come back to me?“”
“Is money really that important to you? You’re willing to be part of his family for money, willing to marry this idiot just for that?”
He pointed at Clement and shouted, “Open your damn eyes and take a good look. He’s a fool! He’s–“>
slapped him hard across the face, cutting him off mid–sentence. A vivid red handprint quickly bloomed across his cheek.
“So what if he’s a fool? At least he’s never lied to me. At least he knows how to protect me. How about you? You’re nothing. Trash like you isn’t even worth comparing to a fool.”
“And for the record, he’s not a fool. He’s my future husband,” I firmly added.}
With that, I turned away. I didn’t even want to spare Horace another glance.
But he stepped in front of me again, voice breaking as he tried to stop me.
“Lovell, you’ve already hit me, you’ve now yelled at me. Come home with me now, please.”
With tears in his eyes, he begged, “It’s fine, okay? Even if you really do love money, it’s okay. I’ve saved a lot over the years. I can take more S–level assignments. If it’s money you want, I can give you enough to last multiple lifetimes. Just give me another chance. Please…”} The last time I saw Horace cry was when I was shot and almost died.
Now, for the second time, his tears actually caught me off guard. I stood there, stunned.
Then Clement’s voice broke the silence.
“Lovell. Let’s go home.”
wwww
His voice grounded me again. I reached out to take his hand, and we headed toward the house.
Just as I pushed open the gate, I stopped.
wwwww
Without turning around, I clearly said, “This has nothing to do with anything else, Horace. I just… don’t want you anymore.“}
Back inside the courtyard, Clement still looked upset. I gently reached up and smoothed the furrow between his brows.
“Don’t let someone insignificant ruin your mood,” I said softly. “Whatever secrets you’re hiding, I’m not going to ask about them now. But when you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be here. Okay?“}
At my words, the tension in his shoulders instantly melted away. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly, not saying a word.
I didn’t know why, but after that day, I never saw Horace again, not even in the days leading up to the wedding.
The wedding arrived on schedule.
Everything was just as Clement and I had planned. The venue was filled with fresh flowers, so beautiful that it felt like a dream. Under the blessings of all our guests, we slowly made our way down the aisle toward the priest.
After we exchanged rings, the priest smiled warmly and looked at both of us.
“Do you vow to love and cherish each other for the rest of your lives?”
Before we could respond, a sudden commotion erupted outside.}
“Someone’s been killed! Help! Somebody, please!“}
As such, all heads turned toward the entrance.
Clement and I looked at each other, then quickly rushed out.
And there, right outside the doors, stood Jaylee and Horace.
No one knew when they had arrived.
Horace was holding a knife, his arm rising and falling as he stabbed Jaylee over and over again.
Jaylee was already lying in a pool of blood. It wasn’t clear if she was alive or dead.
But Horace looked completely gone–his eyes blank, unfocused, and his hand moving in a lifeless, robotic rhythm again and again and again.
