Chapter 1184:
“Collin Riley, do you take Linsey Brooks as your lawful wedded wife, to love, comfort, honor, and protect her, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
Mockery dripped from Collin’s voice as he answered without a trace of sincerity. “Yes, I do.”
“Very well.” Nervous sweat beaded on the priest’s trembling forehead as he dabbed it away.
Following the sacred ritual despite its twisted circumstances, he turned his attention to Linsey. “Linsey Brooks, do you take Collin Riley as your lawful wedded husband, to love, comfort, honor, and protect him, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
White-knuckled fists trembled at Linsey’s sides as she forced the words through gritted teeth. “Yes, I do.”
Sacred vows spoken under the priest’s quavering voice, witnessed by stone-faced bodyguards, sealed their unholy union.
Bitter tears blurred Linsey’s vision as she stood frozen in place, her heart heavy with crushing defeat.
This morning had dawned with such promise—her wedding day with Felix, a celebration she had dreamed of for months.
Instead, fate had bound her to this cold-hearted devil named Collin.
Linsey drew in a slow breath, doing her best to suppress the surge of bitterness rising inside her. Now that the deal was done, she had no reason to stay a minute longer. Finding Felix was her top priority.
Without glancing back, Linsey gathered her skirt and headed for the door. Collin’s voice cut through the air behind her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
She snapped back, defensive and cold, “Home, of course. Where else?”
Discover fresh tales on gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․çо𝗺
But Collin had other ideas. “You’re my wife now, at least in the eyes of the law. There’s no reason for you to go back to your old place. Come with me.”
Once again, Linsey found herself completely thrown off by this infuriating man. She barely knew him. Fifteen minutes ago, she was about to marry someone she had loved for years. This stranger had shattered her wedding and was demanding she move in with him as if it were nothing.
Never in her life had someone left her this agitated, her whole body trembling with anger. Each breath was a struggle, and it felt like she might just fall apart. Swallowing her tears, Linsey squared her shoulders and glared at him with red-rimmed eyes.
“I agreed to marry you, but don’t push your luck. I refuse to live under the same roof as you,” she declared with unwavering determination. Right then, she turned around, striding out without looking back.
Collin remained relaxed, lounging in his wheelchair, clearly in no rush to stop her.
But Linsey hadn’t made it far before two bodyguards stepped into her path. She tried moving left; they blocked her. She shifted right; they shadowed her every move. There was no getting past them.
“Out of my way,” Linsey snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.
The guards stood their ground, silent and unmoving.
