(GREY'S Pov)
The room was dark, though it was afternoon, the darkness,in the room, wasn't as dark as the storm in my chest. My fist punched the heavy bag hanging from the ceiling,sweats drenched my body mixing with the blood down my knuckles. The air smelled of dust metal and grief.
Every punch I landed,I imagined it to be fate, cruel and heartless fate that brought me back too late to her.
I recalled the wedding video I watched, how Levander kissed her,it triggered more punches.
I came back for us,for her.Leaving her standing in the rain a year ago,her tears–still haunted me in my dreams. She gave me everything and asked for love in return but I walked away. I abandoned her, thinking I was doing the right thing, thinking she would be better off without me.
And now she's married. She's married to the same man who couldn't even love my sister,how will he love her when she hates her father.
"Darn it"I growled, slamming my fist so hard on the bag that it swung violently. I could still see her in my mind–those wide broken eyes in the rain,pleading with me not to go.
"Grey..no...no... don't go"
I had no idea the hell Gabriel was putting her through,she hid it from me, smiled through pain. I only saw the scars when it was too late.
I staggered back from the bag, breathing heavily,my chest heaved,I couldn't hold in all the emotions crashing around inside it. I glanced at the in the corner,her photo still sat there comfortably,she was smiling,a soft shy smile, the one I took unaware, the one she gave the first time I called her MY QUEEN.
"Anything for you,MY QUEEN"I told her and she smiled shyly.
I hurled the glass across the room,it crashed,the glass shattered against the wall,it broke into pieces. I couldn't tell her how much I missed her,how I pictured her beside me every night.
The wall I created around,she was the only one that broke it. And now she belonged to Levander. My breath hitched, I clenched my jaw swallowing the lump in my throat.
I hit the shelf beside me and it fell,I didn't stop,I poured everything on the mirror table down,I want every damn thing in the room to fall apart. Maybe then the whole ache will stop.
Then the door creaked open.
"Grey, Thorfinn ha...."She stopped talking looking around the room.She walked inside the wreckage of the room.
"Greyson!,what is this?!"She asked,her voice soft and cautious.
"It is what it is! I left her, I fûcking left her"I yelled out.
"I should've known you would be here grieving about her"Krystal snapped.
"She was your friend,stop talking like this.."
"The friend I regretted losing all because of one stupid guy"She said her voice cracked.
Emotions burned inside me.
"Yes,I did,I left her"I said with a broken voice,my eyes red.
"I warned you, didn't I? You didn't listen,why do you care now?, because she's married, because someone else had her"She said.
"I had no idea,I thought she'd be waiting for me, maybe mad,I had no idea Gabriel would get her married so early".
"She is gone already, don't forget mother warned.....
"Mother,mother, mother.. it's enough I don't care about what she thinks this time,I don't give a damn!"
Krystal smiled, maybe what she wanted to hear from me.
"Grey,she waited for you,she thought you would at least send help,but you never showed up. You've always listened to mother,never chose your happiness,you and Thorfinn".Krystal muttered.
"You know what hurts so much,she saw me yesterday and didn't even show any sign or recognise me".
Krystal embraced me,I didn't hesitate to hug her so tightly,darn tightly to myself.
Silence reigned for a while, Krystal sat me down,she called maids to clean up the mess, helped me with my wounds.
———
Meanwhile, Lagatha sat on her throne watching the CCTV videos, smiling. What's so special about this one girl,that her son is willing to go against her for her sake.
☆☆☆☆☆
The reception party had already begun in full swing, glittering with opulence,class and hidden tension.The air buzzed with chatter, waiters moved like shadows through the crowd, topping glasses, offering hors d'oeurvres, blending in but always watching.
In the outside it looked perfect,but not everything that shines are gold.
The guest list was no jokes–billionaires,CEOs,Politicians, and socialites.This isn't just anyhow person's reception, it's Levander Smith we're talking about. It was the kind of party the tabloids would live for.Every corner had someone whispering and pretending not to gossip.
-"OMG,this arrangements is beautiful"One whispered.
-"I can't wait to see the couple, especially Levander"Another purred.
Andrew and Aurora in the master's bedroom arguing.
"This is not just about Laura, it's about the woman my son loved"Aurora said, raising her voice.
"He never loved her,he doesn't know how to love her,if anyone should be blamed, it's him,not Lorraina"Andrew snapped.
"Lorraina's father is responsible for her death, he's the murderer,he killed Laura...
"Of course he did,so why should Lorraina suffer for her father's mistake,why should she bear the consequences"He cut in angrily.
"Because she's his daughter and am sure he can't beat to see his daughter in pain that alone will hurt her".
"Really, would you be happy if Zinnia was treated like that?if Zinnia was locked in that dark room?If Zinnia was strangled the way Levander did?"He yelled.
"No one would dare to treat my daughter like that and why would anyone do that...
"Are you listening to yourself? Lagatha herself didn't capture Lorraina,she didn't do anything,and her silence is dangerous but whatever she's planning is for Gabriel not Lorraina".
"Andrew, you're taking her side"Aurora muttered,tears in her eyes.
"Yes, I'm taking her side, I also have a daughter,if I was like Gabriel,I will never pray my daughter gets maltreated for my mistake!".
Zinnia stood at the entrance hearing everything,she clenched her fist angrily,all these arguments because of Lorraina.
"I hate her"She gritted.
__________
Lorraina locked herself in the bathroom,still wearing a robe, seated on the tiled floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her eyes were red, cheeks streaked with the kind of tears you don't cry just once.
The coffee. The slap. The shame. Every scene played in her head and it hurts so much. She thought she would be strong all these while,if she had retaliated but it worsened.
Last night, Levander didn't strangle her only he dragged her by the arm, threw her in a dark room,no light,no warmth. She screamed but her voice couldn't be heard.
A knock came,then another,then;
"Lorraina?" Dova's voice, soft and cautious.
She didn't answer.
"Mrs Smith,please... They're all waiting downstairs. Your husband's family, the press, everyone."
"Husband's family".She let out a weak laugh. Are they are family? Or her enemy?
"Let them wait." I said.
"Mrs Smith,the witch is ready to apologise, please give her a chance"Dova said and Grench glared.
"What are you glaring at oldie?" Dova rolled her eyes.
"I was mad... I acted out. I'm sorry, truly. Don't let them think you're weak. Get up, show them who you are." Grench said.
Silence.
Then Lorraina finally open up,she walked out looking so weak,her lips pale,her eyes swollen.She staggered and fall.
They helped her up. Her hands were trembling, but she didn't resist.
"Madame,what did you achieve after switching the coffee?"She asked Grench.
"I didn't expect them to react like that... I'm so sorry"Grench replied.
"Sorry? Sorry?"Lorraina chuckled more tears escaped her eyes.
"Ma'am, please"Grench pleaded.
Dova sighed,she really pity her so much. Lorraina said nothing she sat in front of the mirror.
They dressed her in silence. Applied makeup to mask the swelling around her eyes. Brushed out the tangles from her hair.When she finally looked in the mirror, she saw someone else. A doll,beautiful and polished one but lifeless.
Then the door creaked open and Levander stepped inside the room. Dova and Grench walked out instantly.
His presence was quiet,too quiet.He looked at her with a slow, calculated gaze and smirked. His eyes trailed from her face down to her revealed cleavage,then slowly,in between the parting,she looked more than stunning.
Lorraina turned away.
"Turn around," he said but she didn't move.
He stepped behind her, gripped her waist, and spun her toward the wall.
"Levi.."She gasped shaking with fear.
"This fear, exactly what I want to see every time, don't make things tough and toss that stubborness of yours away,it won't help you,wifey"He said,his voice alone made her heart raced athletically.
His fingers slid up her thighs, lifting the hem of her dress slowly.She gasped,his touch was rough, claiming, invasive. And yet, a moan slipped past her lips.
"Please...."She pleaded.
"I want you to scream my name,beg me,drip for me"He whispered hotly,his voice filled with lust.
He slapped her soft cheeks harder,then kissed her neck. She trembled. His hand traced her back, then pulled her around to face him.
"What are you doing?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
He didn't reply. He pulled her zipper down and lowered his mouth to her chest,his hand grabbed her right breast.
"Ouuuu"She moaned.
She's so weak but he didn't care to notice at all,her eyes shut and she held him more tightly.
He grabbed the other one, squeezing harshly,her hand grabbed his collar holding him to maintain her balance.
"Levander, stop."
_____________
Billionaires like Lagatha and her children,were specially invited to the reception.And they walked in.
Thorfinn.
Lagatha.
Grey.
Krystal.
The room turned.
-Oh my Gawd, Lagatha is here.
-Beauty runs in their blood.
-Thorfinn is so cute.
Thorfinn led, tall and confident, dressed in a black suit that looked like it was sewn onto his body. There was something in the way he walked, like the floor bowed slightly under his feet.
-She looks younger than her age.
-I was about to ask about her.
Beside him, Lagatha in an emerald dress that clung to every inch of her body. Her hair spilling down her shoulders, a smirk tugging at her lips as if the whole world bored her.
Her presence screamed, "I dare you to look away."
Grey walked slightly behind, a sharp navy-blue suit hugging his lean frame. His jaw was set. His eyes scanned the room like he was hunting. No smiles,just cold, bottled-up fury.
Krystal, beautiful and refined, wore a soft blush gown, fingers resting lightly on Grey's arm. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Together, they looked like royalty—and angerous which everyone noticed that.
Grey looking around,no sight of Lorraina, Krystal as well.
While Lagatha, observing the event, like she didn't come here to party,she came to accomplish a mission.
Thorfinn has no idea why he felt like the missing piece of his memory had something to do with the reception.He wished he could regain his memory, everything.
Zinnia smiled,she waved at Grey and walked to him.
"Hi"She smiled.
Grey said nothing,his hands in his pockets, looking around waiting for that one person.
"Zinnia,why don't you respect yourself and let him be"Krystal said.
"And why don't you mind your business"Zinnia shit back.
Krystal chuckled,no fight,she can't ruin anything now,his brother has to see Lorraina anyway.
Some girls taking pictures of Grey, and he posed so well for them. And Thorfinn,no one dared to approach him,he hates it and he showed it.
Levander's mother stood by the staircase, fingers twitching. His father adjusted his tie for the fifth time.
Zinnia was scrolling through her phone, annoyed
Then, a whisper ran through the crowd—"She's here."
-They look so perfect.
-So beautiful.
The doors parted and they walked in.
Levander led confidently, his arm around Lorraina's waist.Lorraina smiled softly, eyes downcast. She moved like a puppet, her steps rehearsed, her smile practiced.
Grey sighed, immediately their eyes locked but Lorraina looked away. That alone hurt him more,he stood on his ground calmly and patiently.
Lorraina couldn't help it,she glanced at Thorfinn who didn't seem to notice her at first,by the time he did,she already looked away.
Cameras flashed,from different angles.
"Mrs. Smith, one photo!"
"Mr. Smith! Any comment on the honeymoon plans?"
They paused briefly. Then moved on.
The music played again,guest settled admiring them.A string quartet resumed their piece.
And the spotlight flickered to life.Levander reached for Lorraina's hand.
But before their fingers touched—his phone rang,he stopped.
Grey couldn't take it,he won't be able to watch it,he can't see another man beside her, she's his and would always be.
He walked forward,step by step,straight toward Levander.
"May I have a dance... with your wife?" He asked.
🗣️What!!
Zinnia gasped loudly, clutching her necklace,several guests whispered audibly.