hapter 12 Chapter 12 When Matilda went upstairs to pack her things , she noticed their wedding photos . 95 55 vouchers She had never been much of a smiler , and on their wedding photo day , no matter how hard the photographer tried , she just couldn't force a natural smile . Brandon had joked to the photographer , " Other people get married for happiness . I'm marrying for her cold face - how about that ? " Hearing that , Matilda had laughed for real , from the heart , sweet and happy . Back then , she never could've imagined she and Brandon would one day be spitting venom at each other , standing on opposite sides . A sharp pain tightened in her chest , making it hard to breathe . Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she sank to the floor . It took a while before she could finally catch her breath again . Matilda braced herself on the bed and stood up . Then she went to the living room's activity area , grabbed a golf club , and smashed every wedding photo in sight . Then she tore up the promise letter Brandon had once written by hand . Back then , Brandon had promised in front of her parents and begged , " Please let me marry Matilda . I'll love and cherish her for life . If not , then let me lose everything I love and never be able to stand again ." Matilda let out a bitter smile , scattered the scraps of paper , and dragged her suitcase downstairs . Zack was already gone . Brandon and Shelby were still in the main hall . Shelby clung to Brandon , whispering , " Brandon , I'll never betray you . I'll never leave you . " Brandon held her hand . " I believe you . " Tully rolled her eyes in secret . When she spotted Matilda coming down , she rushed to hand Matilda an umbrella . " It's raining out ." Before Matilda could thank her , Brandon's cold voice cut in . " If you've got a backbone , don't use anything from the Grimes family ." " Brandon , come on . Everything Matilda owns was bought with the Grimes family's money . How's she supposed to pay it all back ? " Shelby sneered . Matilda let out a cold laugh . Then , as if she had snapped , she hurled her suitcase straight at Shelby . Brandon quickly pulled Shelby into his arms . The suitcase slammed into his shoulder and hit the floor , spilling clothes everywhere . Matilda's eyes burned red . " Stuff bought with the Grimes family's money , right ? Fine , I'll give it all back . Earrings , necklace , watch - take it all ." 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 12 95 55 vouchers She threw each piece of jewelry at their faces . " Don't you just love picking up other people's leftovers ? I'm giving them all to you ! " Then Matilda yanked at her clothes . " Here , take these too ! " She was left standing in nothing but her underwear , her hands moving to strip that off as well . Brandon panicked , shouting at Tully , " What are you waiting for ? Stop her ! " He thought Matilda had completely lost her mind . The servants were all watching - she had no shame left . Matilda screamed , " Even if I walk out of here naked , I'm still clean ! Unlike you two , pawing at each other , calling yourselves family while hiding filthy thoughts nastier than anyone could imagine- " Tully scrambled to grab a beige embroidered dress from the suitcase and rushed to cover her . Matilda shoved her away , but when she saw it was the dress her mother had sewn by hand , her rage crumbled . Only heavy breathing remained after her outburst . She let Tully help her into the dress . Her eyes were wet with tears . She looked up , trying hard not to let them fall . " I'll remember today . " She turned back , her bloodshot eyes blazing . " You'd better stay alive and wait for me ." Matilda stumbled into the street . The misty rain blurred her vision , drops rolling down her cheeks - she couldn't tell if it was the rain or her tears . A matte gray Porsche pulled up . The window rolled down , revealing Shelby's gloating face . " Your car is a pain to drive . I'll tell Brandon to send it to the junkyard ." She smirked and added , " Oh , and Matilda - I don't pick up leftovers . Some things were mine from the start . If it doesn't belong to me , I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me . Like that ugly dress you're wearing . " Her smile twisted as she backed up the Porsche , then suddenly gunned it forward . By the time Matilda realized what Shelby was doing , it was too late . The tires splashed muddy water all over her , soaking her dress and hair until she looked a complete mess . Shelby's shrill laugh rang out . " Matilda , you look like a stray dog now ! " " Shelby ! " Matilda screamed through clenched teeth , her voice mixing grief and fury with the thunder overhead . She wanted to tear Shelby apart . She sprinted after the car , wild with rage . Just then , another car stopped in front of her . Tessa jumped out and wrapped her arms around Matilda , holding her back . " I saw everything . Matilda , calm down . She won't get away with this . Just hold on a little longer , okay ? " A flash of clarity flickered in Matilda's red eyes . As she saw Tessa's heartbroken face , her anger collapsed into 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 12 sorrow . : 95 55 vouchers She finally broke down , sobbing . " Tessa , I was wrong . I should never have married Brandon . I should've left Itera City and taken my parents overseas . If I had , they wouldn't have died . It's all my fault ! " Tessa's tears spilled . " No , it's not your fault . You're innocent . They're the ones who are wrong . Zack's not home -come stay with me . I even learned how to cook Domburgh food , just to make it for you ." Matilda stared at Tessa , dazed , then wiped her tears and tried to pull herself together . Tessa helped her into the car . They had barely pulled away when a loud bang came from behind . A bulletproof Maybach had rammed them at a controlled speed . The car jolted , but Matilda and Tessa hardly wanted to deal with it . Tessa's driver , Samuel , grabbed an umbrella and stepped out to check . Their white BMW had a long scratch down the paint . Samuel was about to curse out the other driver , but then the Maybach's window slid down . Samuel immediately swallowed his words . He thought anyone who could afford such an expensive luxury car would hire a driver . However , inside sat a distinguished young man , driving himself . He held out a bank card , his voice calm . " Let's settle this quietly . This card doesn't need a password . Fix the car first , then find a way to give the rest to Ms. Warren inside . Got it ? " His words and tone were even , almost gentle , like he was calmly teaching Samuel how to handle things . But Samuel couldn't meet his eyes . They were clear and soft , yet gave off the quiet pressure of a python coiled overhead - not the fear of being eaten alive , but a subtle weight that made his skin crawl . Samuel swallowed hard , took the card , and hurried back to the car . AD Comment