A Painter's Revenge: Love Redeemed

be. The white dress felt like a costume for a trag

hand, which should have been holding mine, w

en gasped, her face pale. "Ever

was always the

e face tight with a familiar mix

I need to get her out of here. Sh

uld say a word, he was already leading Eileen away

leave. He came back, his car pulling up besi

," he o

g into my skin, and pulled me into the passenger sea

hind. The road became a dirt track surrounded by dense

, Damian?" I asked,

eam," he said, his voice cold. "

side, and pulled me from the c

t me, Alana

gether, pulling the rope tight around the trunk. The rough

ileen got out, her face no longer pale and

slapped me across the face.

ing her hand. "But my wrist hurt

"Damian, my love, my hand is sor

softening into a look of deep con

Eileen. Anyt

an I had loved, the man who had promised to protect m

setting Eileen,

he hi

ce. Ten times. My head whipped back and forth wi

eathing a little heavi

l wedding dress was stained w

eft me. My eyes wer

from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. The gestu

, his voice a low murmur. "Her father was my

be back for you later. O

d placed her gently in the passenger seat. As they drove away, Eileen lo

of nausea and rage hit me. I coughed, and a

d reel

at my veil and scratching my face with her long nails. Damian had rushed to her side, cradling her and whispering reassurances while I

ectly at me. My best friend, Chloe, pushed me out of the way and took most of the burn on her arm. Eileen had gotten a few splashes on herself and cried out in pain.

ht hand. My painting hand. The one that had made me one of the most promisi

told him I wanted t

ts and me, tears in his eyes

hoked out. "It will never

incing performance, and I knew. I knew it was

sky opened up, and a cold, hard rain began to fall, soaking my torn dr

dark at the edges. I w

an't di

sharp pain a jolt to my system. I

ike this... The thought of what Damian would

. But the cold was relentless. The pain was a

es cl

pain, not from the cold, but from

ceiling was white. The smel

but my body scr

honey, you

rs. She rushed to my bedside, her

he sobbed, clutching my hand. "If anything h

hand weakly. My

rasped. "

tried to swallow, but my throat

h pity. She immediately handed m

with the screen, but my resolve was firm. I dialed

, low voice answered. It was Fran

es

aid, my voice hoarse. "

pause on t

"All of my family's assets transferred to your accoun

he sound was deep and steady, a strange comfort in the chaos of my

id. "I need you to com

be t