Free Web NovelChapter 397: Chapter 394: Nightmare at the Wedding
The sky this morning was gray and overcast, a sign that a heavy rain was coming.
Jean Grant and Nicholas Ainsworth’s wedding was held at the Seagull Hotel.
Early in the morning, Jean returned from the Ainsworth residence to her own family’s home. The makeup artist had already been waiting for some time.
This was Jean’s second time being a bride, so she was already familiar with some of the proceedings.
An hour later, her bridal makeup was done. She put on a long-sleeved undershirt before slipping into her wedding dress.
Putting on a wedding dress again felt completely different this time.
Mrs. Grant, full of unease, repeated her instructions in Jean’s ear again and again until it was time to head to the church.
Nicholas Ainsworth was sharply dressed in a suit, his hair styled in the latest fashion. From head to toe, he was a perfect match for Jean.
When Mr. Grant took Jean’s hand and gave it to Nicholas, thunderous applause erupted.
The pastor began the vows.
After questioning Nicholas, the pastor turned to Jean. The beautiful couple stood before him—a more perfect scene could not be imagined.
But, just as bad luck would have it, something went wrong.
At the crucial moment, before Jean could even say "I do," the tightly closed doors of the church were pushed open.
A sudden flood of light poured in.
All eyes turned to the person who had just arrived.
One look at the visitor, and the expressions on everyone’s faces changed dramatically.
The visitor was none other than Jean’s ex-husband, Marlon Marshall.
From before their divorce to after, and right up until now, the media had never stopped reporting on the two of them. Marlon had just been released from prison and was much thinner than before.
The weight loss made him look even more striking.
He was also dressed well, in a sky-blue shirt under a black suit.
He didn’t look like he was there to crash the wedding.
"What... what are you doing here?!"
Marlon smiled calmly. "Jean, I’m not here to ruin your wedding. I have no desire to go back to prison so soon. I’m here to wish you well."
Perhaps others would believe his words—that he had turned over a new leaf and decided to live an honest life.
But Jean knew his rotten nature all too well. His words only made her hair stand on end and a chill run down her spine.
The others breathed a sigh of relief, because Marlon’s voice was just so calm.
Calm enough to make them think that his two-plus years in prison had completely smoothed his rough edges.
But in reality, only he knew what was truly going on in his mind.
To everyone’s surprise, Marlon actually sat down in the guest section, looking for all the world like a prodigal son who had returned.
The wedding resumed. The pastor started the vows once more.
Jean’s "I do" finally came out, and the pastor announced, "You may now exchange rings."
They placed the wedding rings on each other’s fingers.
The two began to kiss. Throughout the kiss, Jean felt no sweetness at all. Her heart was pounding with anxiety, and she felt a pair of eyes staring holes into her back.
The kiss ended, and applause washed over them again. The beautiful couple was now married.
Everyone headed to the hotel.
The journey there was relatively peaceful.
Jean’s wariness began to ease.
Once at the hotel, she took her gown to the presidential suite to change.
The red qipao she wore perfectly showcased her exquisite curves.
Jean stood before the mirror, very satisfied with her appearance.
But just then.
The balcony door opened. She froze for a second, then turned her head to see Marlon walking in with a broad smile.
Jean’s first thought was to run.
But it was clearly too late.
"How... how did you get in?"
He slowly approached her. "Over the balcony, of course. It’s never easy to see you. You know, that ledge on the balcony is so narrow. If I’d fallen, I would’ve been splattered into a meat patty."
"Why didn’t you fall to your death?" ’Seeing him now was like looking at a demon.’
Marlon’s expression tightened. He stepped forward, grabbed her chin tightly, and forced her to look at him.
"How could I grant your wish so easily? Jean Grant, I worked my ass off to get out, and I’m not going back in so easily again. You better be ready. You tricked me once, but you won’t get a second chance."
’A sense of fear rose in her heart. As the saying goes, a man with nothing to lose has nothing to fear. Once someone has lost everything, they don’t even care about their own life, let alone anyone else’s.’
She tried to struggle, but he grabbed a handful of her hair, pulling it so hard it hurt.
"Let go of me, or I’ll scream."
He laughed brazenly. "If you were going to scream, would you have waited this long? You would’ve screamed already."
’Jean had to admit she didn’t dare scream. She had just gotten married and was afraid Nicholas and the others would misunderstand.’
But this only fanned the flames of Marlon’s arrogance.
"What... what do you want? Why won’t you stop hounding me!"
"Last time, not only did I not get any money, you also got me thrown in prison. Heh. This time, I won’t be so stupid." He dragged her to the edge of the bed.
He shoved Jean right down onto it.
"Now you’re someone else’s wife. I’ve always wanted to have some fun with another man’s wife, make a cuckold out of him. That sounds like a real accomplishment."
Jean never would have imagined that he’d be carrying handcuffs.
He pinned her hands above her head and cuffed them.
"Marlon, I have to go make the toasts soon! Nicholas will be here any minute! Get out of here right now, or you’ll regret it!"
"Perfect timing. He can watch." He showed no sign of leaving, instead looking like he was ready to push his luck even further.
He forcibly undid her qipao, pulled down her panties, and even remembered to snap a couple of photos.
Having not been with a woman in a long time, his movements were fast and rough.
Jean’s resistance was utterly futile.
Marlon didn’t gag her. Watching her, wanting to scream but not daring to, the repressed hatred in his heart began to surface bit by bit.
Pinning down her legs, he channeled all his hatred and fury into his actions.
Jean fought to suppress the frantic beating of her heart.
In the end, she had no choice but to close her eyes, pretend it was all a dream, and pray for it to end quickly.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
It was immediately followed by Nicholas’s voice.
"Jean, it’s time for the toasts. Are you changed?"
Jean’s eyes flew open, her face a mask of panic. She struggled to compose herself.
"Wait... I’m almost ready... You... go see to the guests. I’ll be right there."
"Just open the door."
"I’m almost dressed."
"Forget it. Don’t worry about opening it. I’ll go get the key card."
The footsteps faded away. Jean looked at the man on top of her and pleaded helplessly, "Marlon, I’m begging you, can’t you just go..."
