He Said He Loved Me, Then Gave Her Our Marriage Certificate Chapter 07

He Said He Loved Me, Then Gave Her Our Marriage Certificate Chapter 07

When I did not move, Grant reached for me.

“Come on, Talia. Don’t make a scene in front of everyone.”

Hayes blocked him. “Don’t touch her.”

Grant looked ready to tear the room apart. “What gives you the right to stop me?”

“I’m her husband,” Hayes said. “And you’re a filthy cheater she no longer wants near her.”

I stepped farther back. “My husband is right.

“You disgust me.”

Serena began sobbing below the stage.

“What is that supposed to mean, Talia? Are you calling me dirty in front of all these people?”

“Do you have to tear open my worst wound for an audience? You knew I was assaulted while protecting you.

“You told me I would always be innocent in your eyes.

“Was every kind thing you did for me a lie?”

She limped onto the stage and turned her tear-streaked face toward the guests.

“I know you’re angry because Grant married me. You’re jealous, but what did I do wrong?”

“Does one man matter more than the fact that I saved your life?”

A wave of shocked whispers swept through the ballroom.

“She was assaulted saving Talia? Then this is cruel.”

“If someone saved my life and fell for my boyfriend, I’d let him go,

“They still had an affair behind Talia’s back. She has every right to be furious.”

I clenched my hands and made the hardest decision of my life.

“Very few people knew what happened to you until you made it public. I didn’t tear open your wound,

Serena.

“You did.”

“Everyone knows cheating is disgusting. I was speaking about Grant’s betrayal, not your assault.

“The fact that you assumed otherwise has nothing to do with me.”

“As for the debt I thought I owed you…’

Hayes interrupted gently.

“Whether Mrs. Whitmore ever saved Talia at all remains to be proven

Serena’s eyes widened. “Now that Talia has a more powerful man protecting her, you’re going to erase what

I did for her?”

I looked at Hayes in confusion.

He tightened his hold on my hand, silently asking me to trust him.

“Mrs. Whitmore, did you know the man who assaulted you five years ago was arrested yesterday?”

Serena’s gaze darted away. Then she shrieked.

“What are you implying? He was a monster..

“Am I supposed to go congratulate the police because they finally caught him?”

People began whispering about Hayes instead.

Grant stepped forward.

“Have you considered what this does to Talia?”

“She escaped him, but that night left scars she’ll carry forever. Why drag her attacker into her wedding?”

Hayes glanced at his aide, who passed him a file.

“I planned to let Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore enjoy the reception before discussing this. But Serena chose to attack my wife in public.”

“Normally, a survivor would feel some relief knowing her attacker had finally been held accountable. Why do you look terrified?”

Every trace of color vanished from Serena’s face.

Hayes turned to me.

“Talia, after I learned what happened, I quietly searched for the man for years. I didn’t understand his motive, and I was afraid he might come after you again.”

“My security team found him yesterday and turned him over to Sterling Bay police. During questioning, the

detectives uncovered the truth.”

“Serena lied to everyone.”

The man was never a stranger who chose the two of you at random. He was Serena’s boyfriend.”