Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Pierre replied, “Yes.” In truth, he hadn’t paid attention to the music, too absorbed in watching her.
The two of them shared a quiet laugh, a secret moment that made Caden squint suspiciously. “Hey, you two,” he called out, “Did I pay for your happiness today?”
Pierre blinked, snapping back to reality, and quickly put some distance between himself and Gemma.
Blushing, Gemma turned toward Alicia, her steps deliberate as she tried to divert Caden’s attention. “Alicia, are you happy today?”
“Yes,” Alicia replied warmly and pulled out a chair, motioning for Gemma to sit beside her. “Yes. But tell me – are you dating Pierre?”
Gemma shook her head firmly. “No. He’s just my bodyguard.”
Alicia’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell your brother.”
Gemma froze, her confidence faltering. Was her act that transparent? Heat crept up her neck as she whispered, “Thank you, Alicia.”
Alicia chuckled. “You’re so easy to fool. I was just testing you.”
Gemma’s face turned a deeper shade of red. She protested, “Why have you become so mischievous?”
“Because only a mischievous woman could end up with Caden,” Alicia quipped with a wink.
Gemma was speechless.
Caden, lounging at ease, set his wine glass down and pulled Alicia closer with a confident arm. “The wine is good. Want to try?”
Alicia didn’t hesitate. She leaned in and tasted it-straight from his lips.
Caden smirked, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “You’re getting the hang of it.”
Gemma remarked, “Is this really appropriate?”
Caden leaned back, utterly unbothered. “Don’t you have your own bodyguard to smooch?”
But when Caden glanced around, his brow furrowed. Pierre, who’d been standing dutifully behind Gemma just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
Pierre received a call from Talia. Preferring privacy, he stepped outside to take it.
There was a moment of silence on the line, broken by the sound of a bottle shattering. Then, Talia’s sobs followed. Concerned, Pierre steadied himself and went back inside to Gemma. “I need to step out for a while. Stay with Mr. Ward until I return, and please, stay put,” he said firmly.
Gemma, noticing his serious tone, expressed her worry, “What’s going on?”
“Just a friend in need,” Pierre responded quietly. “I’ll be back before dinner.”
Gemma nodded. “Take care.”
Pierre rushed to the hotel specified on the invitation. He had braced for the worst regarding Talia, but upon arrival, he found the wedding ceremony in full swing. The couple was just ascending the stage.
The venue was beautifully decorated with romantic petals, creating a festive atmosphere. Nichol was slipping a ring onto Talia’s finger. Both seemed to radiate joy. Standing at the entrance, Pierre’s brow furrowed. If all seemed well, what prompted Talia’s distressing call? What was truly happening? Could the earlier cry for help have been a mere prank? Pierre lingered, watching the ceremony conclude with a growing sense of unease.
As the celebration continued and the newlyweds went to change, Pierre found his way to the dressing room. He knocked softly.
A tense voice answered, “Who is it?”
“Pierre.”
Talia opened the door, her expression one of panic. Seeing Pierre, she hastily dried her tears and pushed him away. “You need to leave now!”
It was then that Pierre noticed the bruises marring her shoulders and face, artfully concealed by makeup earlier.
His voice filled with anger. “Has he hurt you again?”
Talia shook her head miserably. “Pierre, please just go. I can’t involve you in this.”
Pierre’s frustration was evident. “In a country where the law protects you, why are you still afraid of him? Talia, you were fearless when we were together. What has changed?”
Talia collapsed to the floor, weeping. “Please, just leave.”
Pierre assisted her to her feet. “I’m calling the police.”
Talia resisted, torn between fear and hope. She didn’t…
Pierre didn’t want to drag himself into her troubles, yet Talia desperately clung to this last strand of hope. The struggle was brief before she yielded, embracing him and crying bitterly. Pierre’s voice was resolute. “Don’t be scared. I’ll get the police. They’ll handle it.”
As Talia’s sobs continued, Pierre supported her and turned to leave, only to encounter Nichol, who seemed to have been waiting. His smile was menacing. “And where do you think you’re going, my dear?”
Talia instinctively shrank back. Knowing Nichol’s unpredictable anger, she pushed Pierre away. “You have to leave.”
Yet, Pierre stood his ground, facing Nichol.
Although Pierre was more imposing than Nichol, Talia approached Nichol submissively. “He was just leaving. We’re old friends. Please don’t misunderstand,” Talia said in a low voice.
Nichol softly touched her hand. “Why would I misunderstand? But my dear, shouldn’t you have changed your dress by now?”
Talia’s face went pale, her voice strained. “I’ll change right now.”
Talia bowed her head and walked toward the changing room. Nichol shot a mocking glance at Pierre. “Talia and I are married now. You’re too late, my friend. Perhaps in another life, she could have been yours.”
Pierre responded coldly, “Being married doesn’t excuse domestic violence. How arrogant will you be when the police are here?”
At the mention of the police, Nichol laughed more brazenly. “Domestic violence? You mean the love marks from our passionate nights? Aren’t couples allowed their private games? Don’t police officers have private lives too?” Nichol adjusted his clothes, smirking, and walked toward the changing room. “Besides, she’s so docile. How could I possibly harm her?”
His words halted Pierre, forcing him to consider what truly frightened Talia.
As Pierre mulled this over, unsettling noises emerged from inside.
The sound of a man’s heavy breathing mingled with a woman’s sobs filled the air. Pierre’s expression hardened.
Then, he heard Nichol’s harsh whisper, “Louder! Make sure he hears every bit of it!”
A cry of pain from Talia broke through.
No longer able to contain himself, Pierre kicked the door open, yanked Nichol out, and landed a firm punch on him.
Gemma had left Alicia’s early, returned home, and planned her evening out, changing into a pretty dress as dusk settled. As the night deepened, she tried calling Pierre repeatedly, each call going unanswered.
Tears welled up as she stared blankly at the sky, wondering about Pierre’s silence. Had something happened to him? Without their usual constant contact, it felt like he had disappeared.
Just then, the sound of a car engine broke the silence in the yard.
Her spirits lifted, and she hurried outside, her dress swirling around her.
Corey stepped out of the vehicle, his arms open wide, smiling. “Sweetheart.”
Recognizing her brother, Gemma slowed. “Corey.” Her voice tinged with disappointment and complaint. “Why are you here?”
Noticing her distress, Corey’s smile faded to a frown. “What’s wrong? Has someone been troubling you?” He looked around the empty living room. “Where’s your bodyguard?”
Corey had planned to take Gemma out for fun, given the holiday. However, he found her distressed about a bodyguard.
“Abandoned his duties without notice?” Corey scowled. “Who does Pierre think he is?”
Despite her disappointment, Gemma defended Pierre. “He left because his friend was in trouble.”
“How long has he even been in Warrington? What friends could he possibly have here? I’ll fire him tomorrow,” Corey replied.
Gemma pursed her lips. She didn’t throw a tantrum, but the disappointment in her eyes stung Corey.
Exasperated, Corey said, “He’s messed this up more than once. Why are you defending him? Do you want him to disrespect me later?”
“You didn’t see how kind he is to me.”
“Am I not kind to you?”
“It’s because he’s as kind as you that I like him.”
Corey was speechless. Seeing his sister’s aggrieved and innocent look, his heart softened. “I’ll find out where he is.”
Each of Corey’s bodyguards was equipped with a tracking device.
Corey soon discovered Pierre was at the police station. His expression darkened. “Why is he at the police station? When did he leave?”
“Before lunch today,” Gemma replied.
It had been eight hours. Corey asked in a cold tone, “Have you been waiting for him all this time?”
Gemma, anxious, changed the subject. “Corey, please, let’s just go find him. He must have gone to the police station for his friend. We need to get him out fast.”
Exasperated, Corey commanded, “Go back to your room and stay there. I’ll have someone watch over you. I’m going to the police station myself to bring him back.”
Gemma resisted. “I want to go with you.”
“It’s not safe for a girl at the police station at night. It’s full of shady characters. What if someone tries to harm you?”
With you and Pierre there, how could anyone harm me?” Gemma said with a bright smile. “Pierre is an excellent fighter.”
Corey felt a surge of worry. So, his sister wasn’t lovesick but genuinely captivated by Pierre.
Corey took Gemma in the car to the police station. Despite reaching their destination, he insisted she stay inside the vehicle.
After issuing his instructions, Corey stepped out of the car and left a bodyguard to keep an eye on her. Gemma, ever compliant and understanding, leaned out the window. “Pierre, please be gentle with Pierre.” This plea only intensified Corey’s displeasure toward Pierre.
Inside the station, Pierre was detained. Nichol had been injured and taken to the hospital, and after giving her statement, Talia came out to meet Pierre.