###Chapter 5
5
Tears slipped down my face as I clung, half-conscious, to the man’s shirt. “Re… venge…” I whispered, the word barely formed.
When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was white-too bright, too sterile.
A hospital room.
I turned my head slowly, wincing at the dull ache across my body and reached for my phone. A message from Colin was waiting. He had sent it the night before.
[I’ve got things to handle tomorrow. Go try on the wedding dress by yourself. Our wedding’: getting closer, so pull yourself together. Stop with the tantrums and marry into the Marks Famil with some dignity.]
I stared at the message for a moment, expressionless, then dragged my finger across the screer
and deleted it.
But just beneath it, something else caught my eye-a post from Piper’s social media.
Colin had taken her on a private jet to chase the northern lights.
In the green haze of the aurora, their silhouettes stood close together. Matching rings glinted or their fingers, tightly intertwined.
The caption pierced like glass:
He told me I’m the only one for him. He promised to protect me from all the cruelty in this world. How could I ever let go of a man like that?]
Below it, a cutesy account with cartoon couple avatars commented:
And no matter how far you try to run from me, I’ll find you. I’ll tie you to my side forever. So don’ even try, silly girl.]
didn’t need to check. I knew that tone. That possessive flair. That was Colin.
could tell from the typing style alone.
remembered the day I asked him to use matching couple avatars with me.
He rolled his eyes and snapped, “What are you, twelve? Can’t you see I’m busy? Now leave!”
And yet I had once dreamed of stargazing with him in the Alps.
had planned the itinerary down to the smallest detail-he said he was too busy.
Every time, that was the excuse: too busy.
Now I finally understood. He could be romantic. He just never chose to be with me.
set the phone down, trying to blink back the sting behind my eyes.
That’s when I noticed the envelope sitting quietly on the bedside table.
nside it was a plane ticket. Departure in two days.
And a small note:
You’re welcome. Hope you like the gift. For your wedding -V.]
7:30 pm
So, I was right. The man who carried me to the hospital last night was none other than Victor Keane-Colin’s worst enemy.
I texted him a quiet thank-you and checked myself out not long after.
Then, the wedding planner called. The dress my mother had ordered for me had been altered to fit. It was ready.
It was the last gift she left me. I had to pick it up.
But when I stepped into the boutique, I froze.
There stood Piper-twirling in my gown.
‘Annalise…you come,” She spun in front of the mirror with a fake-sweet smile, voice dripping with
poison.
‘I just had to make sure it fits, you know. Trying to help you out.”
She tugged the neckline lower, revealing fresh red marks across her chest, her tone mockingly bashful.
‘Oh no, it’s Colin’s fault-he’s just too passionate. I told him to be gentle…”
stared at her performance, cold and unblinking.
You really did inherit your mother’s talent for stealing other women’s men.”
Her smile twitched, then curved into something crueler.
Oh? Didn’t you hear? I’m pregnant with Colin’s child.”
And your marriage license?” She laughed. “It’s fake.”
She flashed a video on her phone. A dim KTV room. Piper on Colin’s lap.
He was tipsy, kissing her softly.
Do your best and bring the baby into this world. When it’s born, I’ll gift him the Marks Corporation.”
‘iper asked in a coy voice: “But… what about my sister?”
Colin chuckled. “I never married her. I’ve been slipping birth control into her milk for months. She can’t get pregnant. I’ll just say we adopted.”
t was like being struck by lightning. My head spun. My legs nearly gave out under me.
So that was it.
Love had died a long time ago. I was just too blind to notice.
sucked in a sharp breath, straightened up and forced a smile.
Well, congratulations. Becoming the next Mrs. Marks is just around the corner.”
‘But that gown is mine. Take it off,” I said coldly.
lunged to grab it, but before I could even touch her, one of her bodyguards-assigned by Colin- <icked me. The force knocked me flat. Pain exploded in my gut. I could feel everything twisting, shifting like my organs had been slammed out of place.
Piper picked up a pair of scissors. Her tone was gleeful as she traced the blade over the silk.
‘Colin said no matter what I do, he’ll clean up my mess.”
The sharp edge tore through delicate lace, slashed through soft silk. With each cut, she shredded the last gift my mother had ever given me.
I just lay there, watching the pieces flutter down like snowflakes.
Even my hatred felt dull now-numbed by the weight of everything.
Piper strutted off, leaving nothing but wreckage in her wake.
I dragged myself home… or rather used to be.
Once I got there, I tore open every drawer and closet, yanked out every gift Colin had ever given me-jewelry, designer bags, stuffed animals.
One by one, I threw them all in the trash.
Behind me, I heard footsteps approaching.
Familiar ones.
