Filed to story: Shattered Vows (Venessa Windsor) Book PDF Free
She could easily ignore idle chatter, but she couldn’t allow those who had hurt her in the past to find any leverage to keep inflicting endless pain on her.
Cole was taken aback for a moment.
Looking at Venessa’s petite face, devoid of any expression, he felt an inexplicable irritation stirring within him.
She had been calling him “Mr. Lockwood” throughout the day.
Once upon a time, there was someone who used to chatter non-stop around him, always expressing her fondness for him.
The cheerful little girl who loved to call him “Caz” seemed to have vanished from this world.
The Venessa of the present seemed so unfamiliar as if she had exchanged her soul, so unfamiliar that he couldn’t recognize her.
“All right then, I’ve bought some medicine and food for you.”
Cole was about to hand over the items in his hands to Venessa when a figure approached briskly.
It was Gabe.
He was surprised when he saw Cole. “What are you doing here?”
“I just came to drop off some things for your sister, then I’ll leave.”
“Since she’s my sister, there’s no need for you to worry.”
Gabe’s contemptuous gaze swept over Cole’s face, subtly implying that his interest was not genuine.
He then turned his gaze toward Venessa and reprimanded, “Didn’t I tell you before that Cole is now Madison’s fiancé? How come you seem to have no sense of boundaries? Or could it be that after spending four years in prison, you harbored resentment and purposely cozied up to Cole just to upset Madison? You’re a scheming b*tch!”
Venessa’s face flushed red with anger. She was caught off guard by the sudden scolding.
She glared at Gabe, wishing she could bore a hole through his face with her stare, and snapped, “Mr. Pierce, are you afraid others won’t realize you’re acting like a jerk?”
Gabe was furious. “How dare you call me a jerk?”
Cole stepped in to defend Venessa. “Enough, Gabe! Ms. Pierce didn’t intentionally cozy up to me. Please, stop attacking her with such venomous words!”
Venessa turned her anger toward Cole. “Shut up, I don’t need your hypocritical defense! You two are as bad as each other. Neither of you is worth a dime!”
Gabe was dumbfounded.
Not only did Venessa not play the victim to gain Cole’s sympathy, she even dared to confront him harshly.
“Get out! All of you, get out!” In a fit of rage, Venessa slammed the door shut.
Both men were left outside the room, stunned.
Gabe knocked on the door repeatedly, but Venessa didn’t open it, nearly causing him to explode with frustration.
Slightly exasperated, Cole said, “Let’s go. If I were in your sister’s shoes, I’d be angry too. If you can’t say anything nice, just stay silent. No one will think you’re mute.”
Gabe glared at him and sarcastically remarked, “Cole, how did you happen to run into Venessa at the hotel and even pay for her room? This so-called chance encounter was riddled with flaws! On my way back from the prison, I saw a familiar car. It must have been yours.
You were already planning to pick her up from the prison, weren’t you?”
Cole didn’t deny it.
Visibly agitated, Gabe demanded, “Do you have feelings for her?”
Cole remained silent.
Enraged, Gabe grabbed him by the collar and shouted, “You’re looking for the next best thing, aren’t you? You’re such a scoundrel! How could you do this to Madison?”
“Venessa is your sister too, but you’re completely biased! If you don’t care for Venessa, does that mean no one else is allowed to?”
“What good does it do to care for her? Did she even spare you a glance? Did she accept the things you buy for her?” Gabe said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Four years ago, you mistreated her. Did you really think she would forgive you so easily? Don’t be naive!”
“She will never forgive me, let alone you. We all wronged her four years ago, but you were the worst!” Cole growled in frustration. “She endured four years of hardship in prison, and not only did you ignore her, but you also declared that Venessa was no longer part of the Pierce family! Most of the pain she endured was because of you!”
Gabe was at a loss for words.
Cole’s words hit hard because they were true.
Four years ago, he had made a tough call to protect his family’s interests and keep Venessa from implicating the family.
He publicly declared to the Lorimer family that Venessa had no ties with the Pierce family anymore, leaving her without their protection.
Could she have stayed safe without that shield?
The realization that he had caused her suffering hit Gabe like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless.
Cole patted his shoulder and said, “It’s a miracle Venessa made it back alive. Stop playing favorites and figure out how you’re going to make it up to her!”
After he spoke, he let out a heavy sigh.
He was one of the offenders. He wanted to make it up to Venessa too.
His eyes darkened as he muttered to himself in a defeated tone, “She kept calling me ‘Mr. Lockwood’ all day.”
Gabe’s dark eyes showed a hint of pain as he said, “She kept calling me ‘Mr. Pierce’ too.”
Both of them sighed deeply.
When their eyes met again, it was a glaring contest, each unable to bear the other’s gaze.
Gabe warned sternly, “How to make amends is my business. Stay away from Venessa! If you even think about hurting Madison, just wait and see what I’ll do to you. Don’t think your status as the Lockwood heir scares me!”
Cole let out a scornful laugh, then turned around and walked away, ignoring Gabe.
Gabe was on the verge of exploding with frustration.
He grew up with Cole and was very familiar with his temperament.
Once he had made up his mind about something or someone, he wouldn’t easily give up.
Interfering wasn’t an option, so Gabe could only keep a close eye on Venessa and make sure she didn’t become the other woman.
As they left the hotel, Gabe caught up to Cole and blocked his path. His tone softened noticeably as he said, “I remember you had a childhood friend named Percival Shapiro. He’s a renowned international medical professor with impressive skills.”
