Stanley wasn’t clueless about Elodie’s games.
But drowning in grief over losing her last time around, he convinced himself I’d killed her.
The truth? Easy to find–if he’d bothered. But he didn’t. Too scared to admit he’d come back too.
When the call cut off, I tossed and turned all night.
Ciel must’ve noticed, because he pulled me in. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head, just praying tomorrow wouldn’t implode.
***
+25 Bonus
The wedding rolled on like a dream. Even with Ciel’s hand in mine, it didn’t feel real.
He smiled, brushing a kiss against the corner of my lips. “Why so distracted?”
The church doors banged open.
“Vivienne!”
Stanley stumbled in, blood seeping through his torn suit. He didn’t seem to notice the pain–his eyes were fixed on me.
That dazed smile–half awe, half heartbreak–was worse than the wounds.
“Vivienne, you look beautiful in a wedding dress. Shame you’re not marrying me. But soon… you’ll be mine alone.”
Ciel’s face iced over.
He stepped in front of me, smile sharp. “Mr. Hamilton, crashing the wedding–trying to steal my bride?”
Stanley looked down, pulling something from his sleeve.
Bloodshot eyes. Voice shaking. “Ciel Clementine, I’ve planted twenty pounds of explosives in here. If you don’t let go of Vivienne,
I’ll blow this place in ten minutes–take everyone with us.”
Gasps and screams rippled through the guests, but the doors were already locked from the outside.
Ciel drew his gun, aiming between Stanley’s eyes. “You’re not taking her.”
***
Before he could pull the trigger, I caught his hand. Gave it a squeeze.
“This is between him and me. Let me handle it.”
His hand trembled as he lowered the gun. “Vivienne, I—”
1/2
I walked up to Stanley and slapped him hard. He didn’t even try to dodge.
$25 Bonus
“This is what I owe you,” he said. “Hit me, kill me I won’t fight back. But I can’t watch you walk straight into hell, I remember
everything now. Elodie’s death wasn’t on you. I was wrong. I’m sorry…”
He grabbed my arm. “We can start over. It’s not too late! I was given another shot so I could fix things with you!”
I stared at him, nothing but pity in my eyes.
“You came back and the first thing you did was ask my dad to marry Elodie. We’ve made that mistake once. Why repeat it?”
He dropped to his knees, spilling apologies. Said he’d loved me once but kept telling himself Elodie was the one.
“I couldn’t face that I’d betrayed her… and then seeing you with her–Vivienne, I couldn’t stop hating you. By the time I realized
it was you I loved, I’d already pushed you away.”
Shaking, he slammed his free hand against the floor over and over. “I’m sorry, Vivienne… I was wrong. I’m so sorry!”
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