My Groom Let Me Die to Save His Mistress

The invitation to Ivy's birthday gala arrived like a death sentence. Black cardstock with silver embossing, delivered by a Russell family messenger who watched me with cold eyes.

"You'll attend," he said, not a question but a command. "Miss Russell insists."

I clutched the invitation, my fingers trembling. "Tell Miss Russell I'm still recovering."

The messenger's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Miss Russell said to remind you about your family home in Connecticut. How unfortunate it would be if something happened to it."

My blood ran cold. The Garcia family estate—my parents' legacy, the only thing I had left of them.

"I'll be there," I whispered.

---

The ballroom of the Manhattan penthouse glittered with chandeliers and champagne flutes. I stood alone near a column, watching Ivy hold court in a crimson gown that hugged her perfect figure. Ander remained close to her side, his hand resting possessively on her lower back.

"Elaina." Ivy's voice cut through the crowd as she approached, Ander in tow. "How lovely of you to join us."

I forced a smile. "Happy birthday."

"Let's toast," she announced, raising her glass. The room quieted as all eyes turned to her. "To new beginnings and... unexpected endings."

Something in her tone made my skin crawl. I glanced up nervously at the massive crystal chandelier above us, its weight suddenly seeming impossible to support.

A faint creak echoed overhead.

"Elaina," Ander's voice was tense, his eyes fixed on something above me. "Move."

Before I could react, the sound of splintering wood filled the air. The chandelier—a monstrous thing of crystal and brass—began to detach from the ceiling.

Time slowed.

I saw Ander's face transform with calculation. His eyes darted between Ivy and me, measuring, deciding.

He lunged forward.

For one heartbeat, I thought he was coming for me.

Instead, he tackled Ivy out of the way, shoving me violently aside in the process.

"Get down!" he shouted.

I stumbled backward, losing my balance. The chandelier crashed down where Ivy had stood seconds before.

But I wasn't clear of danger.

A massive shard of crystal and brass struck my shoulder and arm as debris rained down. I screamed as it tore through my flesh, pinning me to the floor.

Blood pooled beneath me, warm and sticky against the cold marble.

Through the haze of pain, I saw Ander cradling Ivy protectively, checking her for injuries while I lay bleeding.

---

The hospital room smelled of antiseptic and despair. I stared at the ceiling, counting tiles to distract from the throbbing pain in my arm and shoulder.

The door creaked open.

Ander stood there, disheveled and reeking of expensive whiskey. His tie hung loosely around his neck, his shirt wrinkled as if he'd slept in it.

"Elaina." His voice cracked. "I'm sorry."

I turned my face away, unable to look at him. "Go away."

"I had to save her." He stepped closer, swaying slightly. "If she died, they would have killed you."

"And what about me?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "What about my life?"

He reached for my hand, but I jerked away. "Don't touch me."

"It was the only way," he insisted, his eyes wild with desperation. "You don't understand what they're capable of."

"I understand perfectly." I grabbed the vase of flowers from the bedside table and hurled it at him. It shattered against the wall, water and glass exploding everywhere. "Get out!"

Ander flinched but didn't move. "Your scars will heal," he said quietly.

"My scars?" I laughed bitterly. "You mean the ones you gave me while protecting her?"

The door opened again, and Ivy appeared, her face a mask of false concern. She took in my bandaged arm, her lips curving into a smirk before she schooled her features.

"Darling," she cooed to Ander. "The doctor said she needs rest."

Ander looked between us, something breaking in his eyes before he turned and walked out.

---

The cemetery was silent except for the rustling of leaves and the distant sound of traffic. I knelt before my parents' graves, tracing their names on the marble headstones.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I should have been there."

"You're always so dramatic." Ivy's voice sliced through the peaceful silence.

I turned to find her leaning against a nearby tree, watching me with amusement.

"What are you doing here?" I stood, clutching my purse tighter.

"Checking on you." She approached slowly, her heels clicking against the stone pathway. "Those scars suit you, by the way. A permanent reminder of where your priorities should be."

"I don't need reminders from you."

"Oh, but you do." Her smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. "You still don't understand what really happened that night, do you?"

My heart stuttered. "What are you talking about?"

Ivy stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Your parents' accident? It wasn't an accident at all."

The world tilted beneath my feet. "What?"

"I had my men cut the brake lines." She traced a finger along my cheek, and I recoiled from her touch. "Right before they drove to pay your ransom."

"Why?" The word barely escaped my lips.

"Because they were going to pay it." Her eyes gleamed with sociopathic glee. "And I couldn't have that. Not when I'd already decided Ander was going to be mine."

"You're lying," I whispered, though something in her eyes told me she wasn't.

"Ask him." She leaned in, her breath hot against my ear. "Deep down, he knows. But he's too much of a coward to act. He loves his shipping empire more than justice for your parents."

She straightened, adjusting her designer jacket. "Oh, and Elaina? That scar on your arm? It's just the beginning of what I'm capable of."

As she walked away, leaving me trembling between my parents' graves, I realized with horrifying clarity that the worst was yet to come.