Page 168 of Four Fiances & I

But thinking doesn’t help. It makes everything a million times worse. It gives me time to realise I am the worst friend in the world.

Since the day of Dad's murder, Jasmine has been by my side. She has held me as I cried, raged and screamed. She has called me at least once a day and messaged me constantly. Every time things became too much, she was the one to make me talk and help me through it, and this is how I repay her: by destroying her wedding day.

The car pulls up outside of my home, and I can't get out quickly enough. The second I’m on my feet, I lean over and throw up. The vomit keeps coming as I sob through the pain. Jasmine was hurt because of me. It was all my fault.

A hand touches my shoulders, and I instantly step away from him, stumbling slightly, thanks to the alcohol.

“Don’t touch me,” I snap, standing back up. When I finally look at him, the hatred I feel towards him intensifies. “I fucking hate you,” I snarl before storming towards the front door.

“I know, and I can live with that, Abigail. However, can you live with the hate you feel towards yourself?”

The door opens as I approach, and my mum stands before me.

“Abigail?” I can see from her face that she wants an explanation, but I’m not giving her one, not tonight.

“I’m going to bed.” I snap at her, and I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. Storming through the entrance hall, I rush up the stairs and hide out of view as I try to catch my breath.

“I’m sorry Molly, she wouldn’t slow down, and I had to intervene.”

“I understand. Thank you for bringing her home, Alasdair,” Mum sighs, and I know she will be close to tears; she always is these days. “Maybe this will be the one time she realises her actions have consequences and stops drinking so much.”

“I’m afraid it will take more than this,” he replies. “If there is anything I can do to help, you know I will.”

“Thank you. You’ve been such a big help already.”

What help has that bastard been? If he had been helpful, we wouldn’t be in so much pain, and my dad would be alive.

Pushing myself away from the wall I’m leaning against, I head to my room, not wanting to be around the bastard for another moment. As soon as I’m in my room, I head to my wardrobe, where I have a bottle hidden. Pouring myself a strong drink I down it in one go before pouring another.

“If there is anything I can do to help, you know I will.”

Why would we want his help? I want him gone. Even if the others haven’t clicked on to what an evil bastard he is, I have, and I’m going to make sure he stays as far away from my family as he can. Because I’m not going to stop until I’ve made sure he knows what pain feels like and is dragged from that throne he thinks he sits on.

Alisdair McIntire needs to be brought to his knees, and I will be the one to do it.

ChapterFifty-Seven

VERITY

I haven’t stopped laughing and crying happy tears all day. Everything has been perfect, just as my friend deserved. The O’Reillys have pulled out all the stops since we left yesterday morning. This evening was supposed to be a small gathering around a little speaker and bottles of wine and other drinks to help yourself to. But the O’Reillys found a DJ, a pop-up bar with a bartender and a light-up dance floor. To say it's been perfect is an understatement. They even managed to find a photographer who had been snapping our pictures all day, and I can't wait to see the photos from this morning and the wedding. However, I have a feeling the ones from this evening may be a little messier.

“I need to sit,” Jasmine laughs, taking my hand and dragging me towards the area where everyone has pushed some tables together so they can all sit in one group.

Jasmine doesn’t let go of my hand until she falls onto Sean's lap.

“There’s my beautiful wife,” he smiles, kissing her.

“Hello, my gorgeous husband,” she grins back, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back.

Rolling my eyes, I sit on Ethan's lap as he wraps his arms around me.

“Your feet hurting yet?” he asks, kissing my cheek.

“If I say yes, will you carry me to bed later?” I tease.

“Already planned on it, Baby girl,” he winks, causing an inferno to start building between my legs.

“Where’s Abbi?” Jasmine asks, looking around and pulling my attention back to the table.

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