Chapter 3---Farewell, Playboy
1465 Words
Chapter 3-----Farewell, Playboy
"Here," I said, slapping the signed contract against Theodore's chest. "Now get out. And take your crap with you."
I couldn't believe it. For eight years I'd loved this man - eight! And it took until now for me to see him for what he really was.
I almost owed Alyssa a thank you card. Without her little stunt, I might've actually gotten married to this two-faced bastard. I sure as hell dodged a hell of a bullet here
.
Vanessa jumped up, face red with outrage. "This! This right here is why you'll never measure up to Alyssa! That girl's got manners, knows how to treat her elders—"
I spotted Buddy wandering by and did not even hesitate. "Buddy! Sic em!"
The corgi went nuts, barking and nipping at their heels as they scrambled backward.
"You've lost your mind!" Vanessa shrieked, nearly tripping over her designer purse.
Theodore looked at me like I'd grown a second head. "Jesus, Audrey. I thought you’re a better person than this."
How ironic, I thought of the same about Theodore too.
They beat a hasty retreat, leaving half their belongings behind in their panic. Whatever. I'd have the maid box it up for donation tomorrow. The money hit my account at 6:02am.
I was angry, but who would say no to money? But mostly I wanted to see Alyssa’s dying face. I was packing the jewelry set when my phone rang.
"Dad" flashed on the screen. I almost did not answer.
"You can't even visit your dying sister?" He yelled at me the moment the call connected. Of course, this was something that I had gotten used to.
"You're just like your mother."
I examined my nails. "Should I bring a cake too? Maybe some fireworks?"
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"Relax," I said. "It's a get-well-soon cake. And to ward off bad luck you know?”
My dad went silent.
“And of course, it’s a moment worth celebrating.”
“Audrey Shaw! You’re just as-”
I hung up on him before he could insult the memory of my late mother. The thought of him raging but unable to reach me made me chuckle darkly. Could Alyssa's terminal illness karma for her parents' sins? God is fair, I guess.
A voice spoke up when I was about to knock on the door to Alyssa’s hospital room.
"Audrey's probably thrilled," Lena's voice wavered. "She's always hated Alyssa. She had been bullying her since they were kids. Now that my baby's sick, I bet she's laughing in her sleep!"
A sob. Then, vicious: "Why won't God take that scheming girl instead? Why my daughter?!"
I kicked the door open.
Inside, Richard cradled Lena while sobbing. It was like a scene from some tragic romance novel cover. Everyone turned, expressions freezing as smoke detectors blared.
Theodore recovered first. "Ree. You came." He stepped forward, all fake warmth.
Ignoring him, I pulled out a lighter and a string of firecrackers from my bag.
"Audrey!" Theodore paled. "What the hell—"
"Cleansing the bad energy," I said cheerfully.
Richard connected the dots. "Don't you da—"
POPOPOPOPOP!
I tossed the sparking firecrackers at Theodore's feet. He yelped, diving for cover as the others scrambled like cockroaches. It was priceless.
If it was not for other patients, I'd have brought industrial-grade fireworks to really send Alyssa off. Smoke filled the room. The sprinklers burst to life, drenching the luxury suite in seconds.
Lena's shrieks and Alyssa's panicked cries for her mom were music to my ears. I stood just outside the doorway, remaining perfectly dry while they floundered in the artificial downpour. Hospital staff came running—doctors, nurses, security. The hallway flooded with gawkers as my soaked relatives emerged.
When the head physician heard about the firecrackers, his face turned purple with rage. "This isn't some backwater exorcism! If firecrackers can cure cancer, we would’ve sold them in the gift shop!" He rounded on Lena, "I understand parental distress, but this superstitious nonsense—"
"It was her!" Lena jabbed a dripping finger at me. "She did this on purpose! Arrest her!"
The doctor wasn't having it. "Let’s get the patient to a new room. Now."
Alyssa, drenched and shivering, clung to Theodore as nurses scrambled to relocate her. Lena shot me a look that could melt steel but scurried after them.
Richard wiped water from his eyes. "You'll pay for this, Audrey."
I did not even flinch. Mission accomplished—except I still had the jewelry. Sighing, I followed them to the new suite. Alyssa sat freshly changed on the bed. For once, she kept her venom in check—probably playing angel for Theodore.
"What now?" Lena snarled, emerging from the bathroom.
Ignoring her, I approached the happy couple and dropped the velvet box on the sheets. "Congratulations, Alyssa. You're finally getting your dream wedding." I smiled sweetly. "Though I suppose 'til death do us part' comes quicker for you. Consider your wish fulfilled I guess"
"AUDREY!"
But it was true. On her eighteenth birthday, Alyssa had made a wish. She would rather die if she could not get married to Theodore. She got exactly what she wished for.
But even with my harsh words, Alyssa did not lash out. Instead, she looked up at me with glistening eyes, her voice trembling like a delicate flower. "Thank you, sis... for letting me have Theodore. I know you’re angry, and I don’t blame you for what you did just now. This is all my fault..."
A single tear rolled down her cheek. Oh, bravo.
I couldn’t help but laugh. "Alyssa, when we were kids, at least you had the guts to be openly vicious. What happened? Afraid Theodore won’t like you if he sees the real you?"
She sniffled, doubling down on the pitiful act. "I was just a child back then... and you were always so perfect. I only acted out because I wanted attention. You’d never understand what it’s like... to feel like an outsider in your own home."
Oh, this was rich.
I shook my head in genuine admiration. "If there was an Oscar for victim complexes, you’ll win it every year."
From the moment she’d entered the Shaw household, she’d been treated like a princess—while I, the actual blood heir, was treated like a servant. And now she had the audacity to claim she was the one who’d been "living under someone else’s roof"?
I did not bother arguing. Instead, I leaned in and said sweetly, "You know, hearing you say that makes me feel like all those beatings I took were wasted. You might not know what it’s like to be an outsider, but you do know what it’s like to be dying. So... silver linings."
"Audrey!" Theodore cut in, scowling. "That’s enough."
Richard, ever the doting father, snarled, "How dare you mock your sister at a time like this? Watch your tongue—or you might be next!"
I turned to him, unfazed. "Careful with the curses, Dad. If they actually come true, your precious little girl won’t even make it to the afterlife in one piece. Without you two shielding her, she’s no match for me."
His face turned purple with rage.
Satisfied, I placed the jewelry box beside Alyssa. "Enjoy. Your beloved already paid for it."
Alyssa glanced at Theodore, who stiffened at that mention.
"So when’s the wedding?" I asked, feigning concern. I’d assumed they’d at least wait until her condition stabilized.
But Alyssa smiled sweetly. "Oh, you know, since you already have a wedding planned, we’ll just use yours, but with me as the bride."
*What?* My stomach dropped. *So they are essentially hijacking my wedding?*
Lena, noticing my reaction, brightened with spiteful glee. "Everything’s already booked, the invitations were sent. So why waste it? Might as well use what’s ready."
I did not answer. Instead, I turned to Theodore, hoping that I could see something from his expression. Be it remorse, or shame, or just about anything. This wedding had been six months of my life. The venue scouting, the handmade gown, flying to Europe for the jewelry…
And now it would all go to her?
Theodore, at least, had the decency to look guilty. He reached for my hand, but I jerked away.
"Ree… I’m sorry," he mumbled. "I know how much work you put into this. But that’s exactly why we shouldn’t let it go to waste. And Alyssa’s family. Surely you can—"
He trailed off under my glare.
I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms to keep from slapping him. "What? Keep it in the family?"
My laugh was jagged. "Is this what they mean by blood being thicker than water?"
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