Chapter 9
That night, Brimhill’s front page exploded with scandal:
“Blackwell Heir Refuses Family Treatment for Bipolar Disorder–Undergoes ECT Instead!”
“Sebastian Blackwell Uses Electroshock in Desperate Attempt to Win Back Ex–Wife?”
The internet lit up like wildfire.
But while the city obsessed over the downfall of its most elusive bachelor, I was walking down the aisle in a tiny chapel, hand in hand
with Mason.
I wore white. My smile was shy. My voice steady:
“I do.”
“No! Aurora! You can’t marry him!”
Sebastian stumbled into the chapel like a ghost, just in time to hear
my vows.
Fresh out of electroshock therapy, he looked like hell. Pale, trembling, barely upright.
But nothing hurt more than the sight of me promising myself to another man.
The once–dignified heir of Blackwell Enterprises fell to his knees.
“Aurora… please don’t do this. I’ll give you anything. Just don’t marry him… please.”
I didn’t flinch.
I looked down at him the way one might look at rotting meat–disgusted, pitiless.
“This is the last thing I’ll ever say to you, Sebastian Blackwell.”
“Meeting you was the biggest mistake of my life. And choosing Mason is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Whatever happens from now on, Mason and I will never be apart. Not even in death.”
His sobs ripped through the chapel.
“Aurora! I know I was wrong! Punish me! Kill me if you want—just don’t marry him!”
“It was never about your scent. It was always you. I loved you!”
I almost laughed.
Did he think this performance would move me?
Did he think he had ever truly known me?
I stared into his unhinged eyes, voice calm and cold:
“Sebastian, I never cared about you.”
“Even if you dropped dead right now, I’d tell them to drag your body out–so it wouldn’t ruin my wedding.”
“So do us both a favor. Let me go. And let yourself go.”
Mason slid the diamond ring onto my finger. The chapel erupted in joy and flower petals.
No one noticed the man in the shadows, gasping for breath.
No one saw him collapse.
His heart stopped right there on the chapel floor. Not a soul rushed to help.
Chapter 9
Everyone was too busy celebrating.
Mason gripped my hand tightly, and we walked right past him–just like the day he first ran away with me..
Only this time, I was in control.
This time, I got to choose.
I let out a surprised gasp as Mason swept me into his arms.
He laughed, bright and unburdened, and carried me down the aisle.
My cage was behind me.
My future–finally mine–was waiting just ahead.
