Chapter 4 - Vengeance in White
Arthur carefully pulled his wife from the wreckage of the wall, cradling her fragile body against his chest.
Lily ran to them, burying her face in her mother’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
Eleanor weakly kissed the top of her daughter's head.
Arthur gently laid Eleanor down, ensuring she was breathing, before he slowly stood up.
The air in the room turned lethal.
Arthur turned around.
His eyes, usually warm and composed, were entirely black with murderous rage.
Vanessa was backing away, her pristine silk-chiffon dress dragging across the crushed white petals.
Her face was a mask of absolute terror.
"Arthur, listen to me," she stammered, raising her trembling hands.
"It’s not what it looks like. She’s crazy! She locked herself in there to ruin us—"
Arthur closed the distance in two strides.
He didn't speak.
He didn't hesitate.
He raised his hand and brought it down across Vanessa’s face with a crack so loud it echoed off the crystal chandeliers.
The slap snapped Vanessa’s head to the side.
A spray of blood from her lip spattered onto her white veil.
But Arthur wasn't done.
As she staggered, reeling from the blow, Arthur’s fist closed.
He drove a brutal, punishing punch straight into her jaw.
Vanessa crumpled.
She hit the floor of the stage with a heavy thud.
Her elaborate updo unraveled, and her veil tore as she gasped in pain.
She tried to scramble backward, crawling like a terrified insect toward the edge of the stage.
She left a trail of smeared blood on the white marble.
"Arthur, please!" she begged, sobbing hysterically.
Arthur lunged, grabbing a fistful of her hair and the delicate silk of her dress.
He yanked her violently backward, spinning her around, and shoved her with all his strength.
Vanessa tumbled down the carpeted steps of the altar.
She sprawled humiliatingly at the feet of the horrified guests.
Security guards, who had been frozen in shock, finally rushed the front.
"Don't you dare touch my family," Arthur roared.
His voice shook the very foundations of the room.
He pointed a bloodied finger at the guards.
"Grab that filthy animal! Drag her out of here and throw her to the police! Now!"
The guards didn't wait.
They seized Vanessa roughly by the arms.
She kicked and screamed, mascara running down her face, her designer gown ruined.
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They dragged her mercilessly down the center aisle.
She passed the hundreds of disgusted, silent guests who filmed her humiliating downfall on their phones.
