Chapter 2
I rise, tearing down frames: our childhood days, first date, proposal smiles, the diamond necklace vowed to bind us-shredding each into the shredder.
Dawn breaks, walls bare.
My arms numb, yet he still -absent.
Today, our bond day. The fake bond proof lies torn by the registry, vows turned to mist.
I draw a breath, quashing the last hesitation. Moving forward beats crumbling in place.
At midnight, Preston posts on tele, praising our love. Hours later, millions -like it; pack screens loop his edited courtship videos, tenderness piercing my core.
Outside, drones perform; 999 rose bouquets line the path, a giant crystal ring at the center, filled with -seasonal gifts.
A music box repeats: " mate, happy bond day. I love you as ever."
Expressionless, I shut the door, burying myself-none of this -concerns me.
Minutes later, he calls, feigning a pack deal crisis. "Can't celebrate, but I'll -make it up."
His lie makes me laugh, shaking: "Fine. Work first."
"You're upset!" he presses. "I have -surprises!"
"Tired. Sleeping," I say, disconnecting.
Drones flash on, reporters wait, but my phone rings unanswered. Seeing Preston's name, I realize: his gifts, his "love"-mere -rehearsals for Thalia.
Curled in the room, -heart slashed, I can't weep. Suddenly, the quilt rips back, light blinding me. He stands there-disheveled, haggard, -worried eyes.
"You're safe!" He crushes me, voice raw. "Never leaving you again."
Silent, I let him kneel,
"Promise no more silent moons. I'd -die without you."
I scoff: "Swift return."
He diverts: "Hungry? I'll -cook."
"No." I turn my back.
He took me still throwing on my tantrum and walk downstairs.
Ten -minutes later, laughter erupts-friends hang new photo scrolls. Spotting me, they rush:
"Bianca, Preston's -frantic!"
"He'd -lose it if you vanished!"
"He even -dug through refuse for pics!"
"Silence,".
Preston, apron-clad, growls: "My fault. She can -punish me."
Thalia steps forward, -envious: "Preston's a mate-devoter. So lucky, sister."
He nuzzles me: "My -mate deserves all."
Chills run through me, but I bite my tongue. "No need for pics. I'll -repaint the walls."
He hugs me, -cooing: "As my mate wishes."
Laughter fills the room as he cooks my -favorite dishes, but my tongue tastes only ash. Under the table, his hand interlaces with Thalia's. I look up to his smile, my -heart turned to ice.
After the -feast, he carries me out, friends jeering.
Thalia laughs beside us, but I catch -envy in her eyes.
He stages a -sea fireworks show, hires my beloved -band. Mid-performance, he slips to the -closet. I follow, unbidden.
Thalia kisses Preston fervently,"I miss you so much."
Preston kisses her back."Ignore her, my heart only has you now."
In the Rotating Diner's corner, my reflection weeps in the mirror.
His -love splits in two; I was but a rehearsed prologue.
I leave the hall ,-night closing behind me.
Racing to the -closet, I retch, clutching my aching abdomen. "Forgive me, cub. I won't birth you into -lies."
Drying my face, I find them gone from the noisy room. In the diner's light, he fastens my cherished necklace on Thalia, murmuring: "I'll guard you and the cub always."
The glass in my hand dropped on the floor,
Thalia turned, passing me a glass of wine.
"It doesn't matter sister, take a sip of this.:
I devoured the wine, suddenly my stomach hurts.
"Pain. unbearable."
Thalia revealed a wicked smile.
Preston ordered his driver to take me to the healer's while he continued his dancing with Thalia.
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