Wedding Turned into Mourning

I screamed, shoving Herbert aside to snatch the photo. My eyes blazed with the urge to tear Lori apart.

"This is your idea of a proper funeral?" I demanded.

Herbert stayed silent, stepping protectively in front of Lori. She peeked out, slinging her arms over his shoulder, her eyes glinting with mockery.

"You're losing it?" she taunted. "This is a graveside bash, adding some life to the farewell. Otherwise, it's all doom and gloom. I'm not letting you and your sister tank my best friend's big day."

Chloe nodded, her nose in the air. "Gail brought this on herself. You expect us to cry over her? This party is a blast. She'd be drooling over the shirtless guys, even as a ghost."

I ground my teeth, glaring at Herbert. I had been an idiot to believe his promises.

"Last chance, Herbert!" I warned. "Keep shielding Lori, and we're not just done. I'll burn your world to ashes!"

He pressed his lips into a thin line, saying nothing. Her expression darkening, Lori lunged forward and slapped herself. "Mona, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd go nuts like this, but for Herbert's happiness, I'd take a bullet."

She dropped to her knees, smashing her forehead against Gail's photo frame until blood streamed down her face. Herbert's jaw tightened, and he yanked her into his arms.

"I choose Lori. Happy now?" he snapped at me. "She's just had my back. You can't stand that because she is my best friend?"

He ripped off his belt, bound my knees, and forced me to kneel before Gail's photo. "If you're so set on mourning your sister, stay there and cry!"

Pain seared as the belt bit into my skin.

He led her upstairs and fussed over her wounds, a flock of private doctors buzzing around. She chuckled, "Relax, I'm a tough chick, not some delicate princess."

Then she winced, burrowing into his chest like a wounded bird. His eyes held a warmth I'd never felt from him.

This man, who flinched at a kiss, pressed his lips gently near her wound. "Just like when we were kids, one kiss, and it's all better."

My heart twisted, but I forced the pain down. Then the housekeeper who'd helped me before appeared, her face tight with worry.

She leaned close, whispering, "Miss Woodard, I've got proof of what they did to Gail. Meet me in the garden tonight. Don't let anyone see you."

That night, Lori and Herbert were holed up watching some private movie. Herbert untied my belt, his tone casual. "Lori has always been one of the boys, loving this stuff. I'm just hanging with her. Don't read into it."

I bit my tongue as he locked me back in the room.

When the villa quieted, I pried open the window and leapt from the second story, twisting my ankle on impact. Ignoring the pain, I sprinted to the garden and grabbed the phone the housekeeper had hidden.

Floodlights suddenly blazed, pinning me in their glare. The housekeeper dropped to her knees, her voice shrill. "Miss Reilly didn't touch your sister. You'll ruin her if you do this!"