Kane's voice echoed chillingly in the clear morning air smooth as aged whiskey a reminder of a past Bella had sought desperately to forget.
On the other hand Evie appeared to change in a subtle yet significant way. A chilly victorious smile that stopped short of her eyes replaced her irate frown. Regaining her composure with alarming speed she straightened her coat. There was a hint of possessiveness and knowledge in her eyes as she glanced at Kane.
Her voice was suddenly sweet almost saccharine and she purred "Kane" in sharp contrast to her previous venom. "As usual the timing was perfect."
She stepped in his direction in a subtly supportive gesture. Kane just cocked his head his dark eyes fixed on Bellas. Her astonishment and his strength were acknowledged silently by that icy smirk.
"Bella" Evie said in a tone that was now dangerously calm and condescending. Let me properly introduce you. Dear this isnt just a longtime acquaintance.
"This is Kane. Additionally he is not merely the associate Samuel alluded to. He is my silent partner in Lexora."
Bella felt as though she had been physically struck by the words. Lexora, the tech behemoth.
Samuel didnt seem to be able to break free from the intricate web that was more than just blackmail. Samuel ran a hand through his already unkempt hair and groaned in a strangled manner.
"No" Evie said. With a raspy voice he begged but she cut him off with a stern contemptuous look. Turning back to Bella Evies smile widened into a cold victorious grin.
With a harsh almost theatrical flourish she elaborated "Our cooperation depends entirely on Samuels total compliance. All of the awkward little secrets from his past stay just that—secrets—after he signs the paperwork and joins the family. Kane has here an interest in maintaining order. He has excellent leverage skills."
Everything Kane said was confirmed by his widening grin. He appeared to be a puppeteer who had just untied his strings and was relishing in his audiences appalled response.
Bella felt sick to her stomach. Suddenly the parks air felt oppressively thin. She first glanced at Evies victorious rage then at Kanes icy cunning gaze and finally at Samuel whose face was a mask of complete defeat.
He couldnt move.
"So this is your grand plan Evie?" Bella asked in a voice that was surprisingly strong despite being a little tremulous.
With her eyes burning with a mix of heartache and intense disappointment she turned to face Samuel and asked "You can't force a man into a marriage he doesnt want To live a lie for power and control?"
Samuel flinched as though he had been struck.
"And you Samuel? Youll just let them do this? Youll just walk into this prison because of a mistake from your past? Is this the man I fell in love with? A coward?"
A distinct form of agony shame abruptly filled his eyes which were still wide with terror.
A part of him broke.
"I need time!" Samuel loudly yelled over the still park his voice clear but hoarse. "I need some time to think about this marriage! I cant and wont make such a big decision under pressure! he said staring at Evie with a fierce desperate challenge in his eyes. This collaboration—the one with Lexora Evie—depends on my willingness. And I need time! I am not willing right now!"
With a desperate hand he held her back as she screamed "Samuel! What are you doing?! You fool!"
Yet Kane just watched his smirk unwavering but his dark eyes slightly hardening as he took in this unexpected defiance. As if figuring out his intricate game plan his eyes darted from Samuel to Bella and back to Evie.
"Youre coming with me you idiot" She yelled and pulled him over to Kanes waiting car.
Since his last remaining reserves of defiance had been used Samuel made no attempt to resist. A silent agony filled his eyes as he gave Bella one final lingering glance before he was crammed into the svelte black sedan.
Kane paused before getting into the car. At a distance his dark eyes locked with Bellas. Even though his smirk was still there it now had a deeper meaning that made Bella feel cold.
After giving her one last barely noticeable nod—a mysterious acknowledgement—he slid into the back seat of the vehicle. Bella found herself alone in the peaceful park as the sleek black car slid away its tinted windows rolling up as silently as it had arrived.
But the underlying tension was still evident. The new date was then revealed. After three weeks.
Then came a flurry of planning a sumptuous event intended to highlight Evies strength and dominance and dispel any uncertainty regarding the actual extent of her influence over Samuel. Each prestigious doorstep received invitations that were embossed with elaborate gold leaf.
It was scheduled at a historic cathedral known for its magnificence. No detail was missed and no expense was spared. It was a proclamation and a meticulously planned performance meant to solidify her triumph.
But what was she to do?
Evie was strong Kane was hiding in the shadows and Samuel was stuck. On a cool autumn morning the wedding day finally came and Bella was engulfed in a whirlpool of contradictory feelings.
She must have seen it. In order to finally start to heal she needed to see the end to validate the truth of her loss to ingrain it in her memory. Or maybe a small stupid part of her wished for a miracle.
She wore modest dark clothing preferring to remain anonymous to be elegant. Her hands were so tight on the steering wheel that her knuckles were white as she drove to the cathedral.
She parked a few blocks away and decided to walk the remaining distance her heart racing with each stride. With its stained-glass windows glimmering with ethereal light the imposing stone structure towered over her as she approached the cathedrals grand entrance.
Entering discreetly through a side door Bella found a quiet place at the very back of the enormous nave partially hidden by a tall pillar. She raised her head her eyes inevitably drawn to the altar. She was looking at a brutal scene. Samuel appeared completely defeated and pale as he stood at the altar.
The weight of his immaculately tailored suit caused his shoulders to slump and his normally bright eyes to become lifeless and shadowed.On his wedding day he appeared more like a prisoner than a man which ultimately led to his execution.
Beside him Evie smiled a picture of triumphant happiness radiant and frighteningly beautiful in a custom-made gown that shimmered with lace and pearls. With a wide smile for the congregation she held onto his arm possessively but Bella could see the icy cunning sparkle in her eyes.
The stern-faced officiant stood in front of them and began the sacred vows with his voice. A searing excruciating pain stabbed Bella in the chest. It was authentic. It was really taking place. She gasped for air as it left her lungs. This was the harsh deafening reality not a dream.
The large room was filled with the officiants clear solemn voice as it continued to drone on. "Would you Samuel Alexander Hayes take Evelyn Grace Thorne to be your legally wed wife?"
Samuel had his head slightly bent. With a flicker of desperate sadness in his eyes he slowly raised it while glancing over the faces of the congregation.
He was engrossed in his own golden cage. "Do you promise to have and hold on to from now on for better or worse richer or poorer in health or illness to love and cherish until death do you part?"
The words lingered in the air laden with empty promises. With his lips parted and his voice hardly audible Samuel was about to say the two words that would decide his doom and break Bellas heart.
"I do—"
Bella felt a strong tremor as soon as the syllable left his mouth. She saw a cruel mocking tableau of a future that would never be hers as the scene faded before her eyes. Despite everything she was surprised to see them getting married.
She clung desperately to the hope that he would find a way out but it was crushed into a million painful pieces. She was struck physically by a deep blazing pain. Her face was flooded with hot uncontrollable tears that made the lavish scene in front of her dim.
She had come here expecting a miracle but all she found was private destruction and public humiliation. Bella cried choking and pivoted on her heel.
With each desperate humiliating step her heart broke as she ran stumbling blindly down the aisle while her tears blinded her. She simply ran—from the echo of dishonesty from the gilded cage and from the heartbreaking realization of what she had lost.