Chapter 14
In the beginning, Antonio turned Celia down. He would rudely push her away and shout at her with the worst cuss words he knew.
But, day by day, Antonio grew less resistant to Celia’s pursuit.
Sometimes, as she cried and pretended to fall to the ground, he would rush over and protect her in his arms.
He loathed and despised her, but somehow he had grown tender and indulgent towards her.
It all happened within 2 years.
Funny, wasn’t it?
I had known Antonio for more than 20 years, and we had been together for more than 10 years. But it only took 2 years for Celia to take him from
me!
While they were preparing for their wedding, Celia came to me once.
With a pair of sparkling eyes, she smiled at me so innocently.
She said, “Grace, do you see it now? Your poor mom couldn’t beat my mom. Now, you can’t beat me!”
I smiled and then took a few big steps forward. I grabbed her by the collar and gave her a dozen slaps.
Celia wailed and her voice was so shrill that Antonio came over to check on her.
He checked on her wounds in a panic, and then, he madly pushed me to
the ground.
He shouted. “You are a vicious one! She’s so ill. How could you have the heart to do this to her?”
I took a glance at my grazed palm and raised my phone with a straight face. The phone was playing the conversation between Celia and me just
now.
Both Antonio and Celia’s faces changed color. Antonio seemed to have mixed feelings, and I couldn’t tell if he was suspicious or shocked.
Celia only paused for 2 seconds, then she burst into tears.
“Grace, is this why you call me over? To set me up in front of him?
“I really wanna make peace with you before I die. Can you please not treat me like this?”
Antonio took Celia in his arms with so much gentleness. He bowed his head and then glared at me with a look of disappointment.
“Since when did you become so unreasonable? I don’t think I can come back to you if you go on like this!”
After Antonio had said this, he picked Celia up, carried her out, and rushed to the hospital.
My throat clenched and pain gripped my chest.
Once again, Antonio chose to believe Celia and left me alone here.
I froze there for a long time, and then, I slowly looked up at the miniature camera on the ceiling.
Time went by so quickly. It was their wedding day.
Ħ
My dad banned me from the wedding so I would not ruin it for them.
I casually held my phone and had a video chat with Janet. At the same time, she streamed the wedding live for me.
Janet’s camera was focused on Antonio and Celia.
He was tall and handsome in that suit. It was exactly the way I had pictured him as the bridegroom countless times.
His eyes were soft and fixed upon Celia with a tenderness that once belonged to me alone.
Celia lowered her head shyly. A smile danced on her lips, full of joy.
They were a perfect match and so in love with each other. Even I could not deny it.
Antonio had promised me many times that he would not kiss the bride on the wedding day, though I had never asked for it.
Yet he did not hesitate to press his lips to hers as she raised her face and stood on her toes.
People cheered and applauded. It was the happiest moment for the new couple, but it was also the moment when the police arrived.
They walked right up to Celia and showed her their badges.
“Are you Celia Parrish??A report has been filed against you. Now you are under investigation in a murder case. Please come with us.“