Chapter 717
“Andrew, I’m so scared,” Tessa sobbed and collapsed on the floor. Fear had consumed her. How had their lives spiraled into this nightmare? And on their wedding night, no less. Andrew her Andrew, would never normally lay a finger on her. Something was tembly
wrong
She prayed for a retum to normaley, but Andrew advanced toward her with a predatory step.
Panic–stricken, Tessa scrambled back until she was comered, her back pressed against the cold wall. The murderous intent emanating from Andrew was unmistakable, and she felt a chilling certainty that she wouldn’t survive the night.
Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her fingernails digging painfully into her palms. “Andrew, please stop, please. I’m really scared,” she cried, shaking her head, curling into a ball in the comer, her eyes wide with terror
Andrew’s hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her delicate throat
Did Aubree not feel fear when the assault happened? How could Tessa do that to Aubree?
Echoing in Andrew’s mind were Aubree’s words- “I thought you were behind it His eyes, bloodshot with rage and sorrow, spilled over with tears. Even as he hurt Tessa, the pain in his own heart was insurmountable.
Andrew wanted to end Tessa, but his fingers lacked the strength. Overwhelmed by grief, his hand trembled and fell away as a sob brake from his throat, a sound akin to a wounded beast at the height of its anguish.
He wanted to roat to tear the room asunder, but he could not muster the strength. All his energy seemed to have been sapped the moment he saw that damning video.
As he tried to wipe the tears from his cheeks, they only seemed to multiply. A sickly sweet taste filled his throat. He yearned to pass out. to escape into unconsciousness, but he remained agonizingly awake and utterly powerless.
Feeling his grip loosen, Tessa opened her eyes through her tears and wrapped her arms around him, seeking some semblance of warmth. “Andrew…”
Every part of him ached, especially where Tessa clung to him. He wished he could tear off that patch of skin. Pushing her away, he used the wall for support to stand, his crimson gaze sweeping the room.
He pulled out a lighter and set the curtain aflame.
“No, no! Andrew, I’m begging you, stop! This is our honeymoon suite!” Tessa’s voice was hoarse with desperation. She clung to his legs. pleading, tears streaming down her face. The embroidery on their bedding, the stitches on her bridal gown–all handcrafted, all burning before her eyes.
“Andrew, what’s happened to you?” she cried, her voice a raw, anguished rasp
Her wedding night was in ruins, the room choking with smoke as the flames took hold, but Andrew just stood in silence, watching it all
burm.
“Andrew…” Tessa clung to his legs, trying to stand. He kicked her away. His upbringing never taught him not to strike a woman. His shoe landed on Tessa’s chest, and he felt nothing but calm as she writhed in agony.
Aubree was right–Andrew and Tessa were the ones who deserved hell.
In the end, Tessa’s tears ran dry, replaced by a hoarse, painful wail. She watched as her cherished decor turned to ash. If she didn’t escape, both she and Andrew would be consumed by the blaze.
Andrew gave her one last look before walking away. She begged him to take her with him; she was too weak to escape on her own. But he left without a backward glance, his departure resolute and cold.
As he disappeared, Tessa found a reserve of strength fueled by resentment. She dragged herself towards safety, her fingernails snapping, trailing blood behind her. When she reached the ground floor, she saw Andrew outside, smoking against the backdrop of a fiery inferno, their silhouettes aglow
Tessa collapsed on the ground, now free from the flames. She cried bitterly, her body wracked with pain
The wedding night she had longed for ended in tragic disarray. The man she loved had abandoned her to save himself.
