Chapter 0402

“No,” I tried to shove her away. “Noah, don’t listen to her. Remember. Just remember.”

Suddenly, hands were on me. Zoe’s face was twisted as she shoved me, and I fell to the marble floor, the tiles slamming into my back.

“You fat, ugly cow,” she growled, stepping toward me as I moved backward on the floor. “You are nothing but a stupid, good-for-nothing whore. Did you really think Noah would ever want you? You’re unlovable. A nobody. A cheaper version of me.”

The crowd gasped at Zoe’s vitriol, but she didn’t seem to notice or care. She advanced, picking up the skirt of her white dress. “You will never be good enough,” she snarled, spittle flying from her mouth. “You will never be me!”

Reeling back her leg, she kicked me in the ribs. Blinding pain shot through me; someone screamed, a child began to cry. As I gasped for air, I caught sight of Noah out of the corner of my eye. He was clutching his head, sinking to his knees as if in terrible pain. Zoe loomed over me, her white dress billowing around her like some twisted angel of vengeance. She kicked me again, and again, and again, each brutal impact sending a new wave of pain through my body.

“I should have just killed you when I had the chance in that haunted house,” she hissed between kicks. “It would have been so much easier. So much cleaner. No one would have missed you.”

Just as I thought I couldn’t take any more, strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me to safety. Drake helped me to my feet, supporting me as I swayed unsteadily. I took a deep, shuddering breath, wincing at the pain in my ribs. But I refused to back down. Lifting my chin, I pressed one hand into my side and slowly raised the other, pointing a trembling finger at her.

“You are the ugly one, Zoe,” I choked out. “You are ugly on the inside. Look at yourself. Look at what you’ve become.” I swallowed hard, drawing in a rasping breath. In the background, I saw Viona crouching beside Noah, whispering to him.

Even though my legs were unsteady, I broke free from Drake, stepping toward Zoe.

“You say I’ll never be you,” I rasped. “But I don’t want to be you, Zoe. Maybe once, but not anymore. Not now that I know what you truly are. Not now that we all know.”

My words seemed to hit Zoe like a punch to the gut. She stared at me, her face contorted, spittle running down her chin, her veil torn. It was only then that the magnitude of what she had done—the rage—seemed to dawn on her.

Slowly, as if in a daze, she turned to face the congregation. Her bouquet slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor with a soft thud. The entire chapel was deathly silent, hundreds of shocked faces staring back at her.

In the front pew, I saw Adam crying, clinging to his grandmother. “Mommy’s a monster,” he whimpered.

And there, being helped to his feet by Viona, was Noah. His eyes were clear now, filled with a mixture of horror and dawning realization.

“I… I remember,” he said, his voice ringing out in the silent chapel.

He turned to Zoe, his expression hardening. “Get out,” he growled.

Zoe’s face crumpled. “Noah, please,” she pleaded, reaching for him. “I—I didn’t do anything, I swear. She’s lying!”

But it was too late. Everyone had seen the truth behind her beautiful mask. Even her own parents looked stunned and disgusted, keeping Adam far away from her.

For a moment, Zoe stood frozen, her eyes darting around wildly like a cornered animal. Then, with a strangled sob, she gathered up her skirts and fled, the sound of her heels echoing through the chapel as she ran. As the doors slammed behind her, I felt all the strength leave my body. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor in a heap.