Chapter 11
688words
Then, by some stroke of luck, a car pulled up. A few of the company's workers stepped out, hobbling toward us. Some were missing an arm, others a leg, but they moved with determination and worked together to load my injured family into the car. It wasn't glamorous, but it got them out of there, fast. They were taking them to get real help.
My dad's leg, my brother's fingers—they were saved, thanks to the quick action of the workers. And the doctors who tended to them were top-notch specialists who happened to be in town for a medical conference. It felt like a miracle.
Even mom was soothed, her mind calmed by the specialists who set her up with a charity for Alzheimer's treatment. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let out a breath I did not realize I had been holding. My family was getting the help they needed.
Something nagged at me, though. Was Susanna behind this? Did she arrange for the doctors to be there? I could not shake the thought. I drifted back to the hotel once, peeking in on her and York. He was all over her, sloppy with drunken affection, and she never pushed him away. The sight of it made me sick.
I had to laugh at myself. How foolish was I, thinking she would still remember me? Things were going so well for her and York.
On the day of their wedding, I found myself drifting to the hotel. Maybe it was that twisted invitation she had thrown at me, daring me to show up. York had pulled out all the stops. It was a spectacle—a wedding fit for the city's wealthiest son and the rising star CEO. The media was all over it, buzzing about the "wedding of the century".
And Susanna? She looked stunning in her dress, a perfect blend of sweet and sharp. We used to talk about our wedding day, and she would try on dresses just for fun. But that dream was long gone. Now, she was walking down the aisle with someone else.
York wrapped his arms around her like she was his prize, his eyes never leaving her as a giant screen played their love story. From the moment they met to York's relentless pursuit, the whole thing was laid out for the crowd to see.
I watched, feeling bitter as the footage rolled. York had been after Susanna since our college days. He never stood a chance back then—she was with me and did not give him the time of day. However, York was persistent.
On the screen, there he was, holding a massive bouquet and standing in front of Susanna. She gave him the cold shoulder, telling him flat out that she was taken. York did not even blink as he looked right into the camera and said, "Susanna, I love you, and I won't stop until you're mine."
The crowd murmured with admiration.
"Mr. Smith's really dedicated, huh? It took him a decade to win over Susanna."
"Did you hear about her ex? The guy kidnapped her for ransom. Good thing Mr. Smith swooped in. She's lucky to have someone like him."
"And that ex? He tried to sell the kidney that was supposed to save her dad. It must've shattered her."
"If York hadn't taken her overseas, she might've lost hope right along with her dad."
"They're like a fairy tale couple."
I could not stop myself from scoffing. Fairy tale? This was all just part of York's sick game. He did not love Susanna. The more she pushed him away, the more obsessed he became with the idea of conquering her.
