Page 117 of Devil's Tulip

A fresh wave of panic slams into me.

“What’s on that flash?” I demand angrily as I realize that no, this isn’t Aunt Marie’s fault at all, but mine for being such a fool and letting her into our home.Fucking dumbass.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” Aldo cuts in impatiently, “Now come on, let's get this ceremony over with.” He beckons at Carlo and the priest.

“Wrong, Aldo. She does have to worry about it.” Aunt Marie slithers towards me, her smile widening. “We’ve planted evidence thatyoustole this information from Michael’s laptop to share it with the man you’re cheating on Michael with, and in turn the man, who in this fictional story is our mole, handed the flash over to us.”

Cold sweat slicks down my spine and forehead as understanding dawns. “What are you talking about?” The question is pointless. I already know. I just need to hear it, need to understand exactly what I’m up against.

Uncle Aldo is only too happy to elaborate. “You see, the flash drive I gave my wife contained a little surprise—viruses that overrode Michael’s security on his devices and gave us access to a treasure trove of information on your husband. Damning information thatyou’regoing to leak. And you’re going to take the fall for.”

No.

No, no, no.

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s not going to work. Michael knows I would never do anything to betray him. He knows I love him.” Except… I never told him, did I? A lump swells in my throat. Michael is too smart to be fooled like I was, right?He has to be.

“Does he now?” Uncle Aldo smirks and nods at Aunt Marie.

Before I can react, she grabs my right hand and rubs the flash all over my fingers. Horror floods me when I realize what she’sdoing, and I start to thrash against my bonds, but it’s useless. I’m well and truly trapped.

Once she’s satisfied that my fingerprints are thoroughly imprinted on the drive, she retreats, and I watch, chest heaving as Uncle Aldo nods at the judge, who clears his throat and steps forward.

“We’re gathered here today to?—”

“None of that nonsense now,” my uncle cuts the man off sharply. “We all know why we’re here and that one of the parties isn’t willing. Skip the formalities.”

The judge's eyes flick to mine before quickly darting away. He opens his robe, revealing a suit underneath, and pulls out a stack of documents from his pocket. “I have with me here the lady’s divorce papers from her first husband and the marriage contract to her new husband.”

Oh God.

Dread suffocates me as sweat streams down my body.

This nightmare is real.

The judge hands what I assume must be the marriage contract to Carlo and Uncle Aldo. “I’ll need her signature on this.” He waves two papers up and starts walking towards me. “Her fingerprints will do just fine in this case since I doubt she’ll willingly sign anything.”

I curl my fingers into fists, shaking my head at him frantically. “No, please don’t. Please.”

The man doesn’t even look at my face as he kneels before me and tries to force my right hand open. I keep it clenched tight, so he switches to my left hand. That’s when, for the first time I notice—my ring is missing. Aunt Marie or someone else must have taken it off.

Then, suddenly, everything shifts.

The judge lets out a horrified gasp and stumbles back, falling on his ass, his face paling as if he’s just seen a ghost. I frown at him. What the hell is wrong with him?

His gaze is glued to my left hand—more specifically, to the tattoo on my ring finger.

He shakes his head violently. “I… I didn’t know she was married to the Mad Hatter.” His voice is barely a whisper. Then he scrambles to his feet like a man who’s just realized he’s standing on a landmine. “She’s Nightshade property. No. This—this is suicide, Carlo, and I won’t go down with you. I won’t do it.” With that, he spins on his heel and bolts out of the office.

I stay quiet, stunned by this unexpected turn.

Did that just?—?

What does this mean for me?

Is the cursed wedding… off? Are they going to let me go now?

Carlo curses viciously and runs after the judge, leaving me alone with my aunt and uncle. The latter walks forward and glares down at my finger. His face blanches. “You’re part of the Nightshades now?”

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