Chapter 49: A Double Breakdown
Sonya was the one Seraphina had stepped on for eight years, fueling her vanity and sense of superiority. Seraphina never expected Sonya to marry into the Reynolds family, marrying the one man who’d rejected her.
Julian Jennings’s breakdown had shocked the guests, but Seraphina’s outburst was even more astonishing. The Reynolds Crown Prince’s bride was beautiful, elegant, and poised. Why were Julian Jennings and Seraphina so devastated?
Sonya stepped from behind Henry, her gaze cold.
“Wasn’t someone talking about slapping themselves yesterday?” Sonya sneered.“Ms. West, you have many fans outside.”
Seraphina glared.“How dare you,
a
wretch discarded
abandoned by Julian…”
“Say one more word, and I’ll rip your mouth apart!”
Grandma Reynolds stormed forward, standing beside Sonya.
“My granddaughter–in–law is wonderful. Anyone who bullies her should ask the Reynolds family for permission first!”
Sonya turned; Henry’s parents, Jason Reynolds–they all stood behind her. This was what having family support felt like. She didn’t need to fight alone.
New York’s elite watched; reporters clicked away; fans crowded outside. Everyone was witnessing this moment.
Sonya held Henry’s hand in one hand and Grandma Reynolds’s in the other, the warmth grounding her.
“I didn’t want to talk about the three of us, but my silence doesn’t mean I was wrong. We broke up, and I didn’t want unnecessary drama. But you repeatedly bullied me, and I endured it. But this is the last time. Don’t push me; I know too much about your dirty secrets!”
Seraphina gritted her teeth, forcing a smile.“I’m not afraid of you. Don’t think you’re important just because you married into the Reynolds family.”
“Shut up!” Jennings’s father glared at Seraphina, then at Henry.“What’s wrong with you? Apologize to Mrs. Sullivan!”
Seraphina stared at him incredulously.“Father, you want me to apologize to… Sonya?”
Jennings’s father sighed, approaching Seraphina.“If you still want to marry into our family, apologize now!”
“No!” Seraphina cried.
Mrs. Jennings stood behind her, scolding Jennings’s father.“Are you crazy? Make Seraphina apologize? What about the Jennings family’s face?”
“You’re crazy! Is face more important than our partnership?”
“But…”
“And after this, does the Jennings family even *have* any face left?”
Mrs. Jennings looked at her despondent son, pushing Seraphina.“Seraphina, just apologize to Sonya.”
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Chapter 49: A Double Breakdown
“Mother, why do I have to apologize to that little bitch?”
“Jennings Corporation needs Ella Corporation’s partnership. It’s the future of Jennings Corporation.”
“Absolutely not!”
Mrs. Jennings sighed.“I thought you were sensible, but if you don’t care about the Jennings family’s future, you’re not suitable to be our daughter–in–law.”
Seraphina bit her lip, hoping Julian Jennings would intervene, but he was still staring at Sonya, oblivious to her. If the wedding was canceled, her reputation would be ruined,
Seraphina clenched her fists and walked towards Sonya.
“Mrs. Sullivan, I apologize for my earlier rudeness,”
Sonya looked down at the bowing Seraphina. It wasn’t satisfying; it was like stepping in something disgusting. She wanted to be done with it.
“Seraphina, remember what I said. This is the last time!”
Sonya turned to Henry.“Let’s go inside.”
Henry kissed her forehead.“Okay,”
After the initial commotion, the wedding proceeded smoothly. Henry held her hand, accepting blessings from their family and friends. She was no longer Ms. Ella; she was Mrs. Sullivan.
Their wedding night was passionate.
He took her to shower, then they went to bed. She fell asleep quickly, but woke to find Henry
gone.
She heard noises outside and went to the window. The “double happiness” characters were torn; the
easel in the yard was overturned. Julian Jennings was the culprit.
Drunk, he was wreaking havoc.
Henry went out in slippers, punching Julian Jennings to the ground, then kicking him repeatedly. Julian Jennings curled up, shivering.
Henry bent down, cold–faced.“Are you sober now?”
Julian Jennings laughed.“I’m sorry…”
“I don’t care. Just remember–if you ever bother Sonya again, I’ll kill you!”
Henry dragged Julian Jennings out and locked the door.
Sonya returned to bed. Henry entered, changed, then hugged her.
She snuggled closer.“What were you doing?”
“Killing a rat.”
Sonya laughed.“I bet it was a big one.”
Henry laughed. Her head rested on his chin, her forehead against his throat; she felt the vibrations of his laughter.
She kissed his Adam’s apple.
“Aren’t you sleepy?” he teased.
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Chacher 49 A Double Breakdown
Sonya yawned. I’m so sleepy!”
But Henry rolled over, his eyes only on her, gentle this time.
His fists were hard, and he was ruthless, but with her, he was gentle.
Sonya woke late; Henry was already up.
He’d made breakfast.
“Sorry, I should have gotten up with you.”
Henry hugged her, kissing her forehead. “I’ll make breakfast; you don’t need to wake up early?
‘I’ll do the dishes.”
“Okay.”
They divided the chores and ate breakfast. Henry said he was going to the office but would be back in the afternoon.
“If you’re busy, don’t worry about me.”
Henry smirked.“I’d rather be in bed than at the office.”
Sonya glared. “You’re incorrigible.”
At the door, Henry kissed her goodbye.
She then encountered the bruised and battered Julian Jennings.
She ignored him, but he was defiant.
“Sonya, this is your fault.”
Sonya was puzzled.“What do you mean?”
Julian Jennings smirked.“I contacted a demolition crew. Your parents‘ house will be demolished and rebuilt today, erasing all traces of your family!”
