Chapter 16
Song: 'Give me love' by Ed Sheeran
Give me love like never before
Cause lately I've been craving more
And it's been a while, but I still feel the same
Maybe I should let you go
You know I'll fight my corner
And that tonight I'll call ya
After my blood is drowning in alcohol
No, I just wanna hold ya
Give a little time to me, or burn this out
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around
All I want is the taste that your lips allow
Ma-my, my-my-y, oh give me love
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*EDIT*: Please, reread the previous chapter as it has little changes in it. A precious reader was kind enough to point out some lacking, rightfully so. It's fixed now, so be the sweethearts that you all are and reread it. Thanks :*
ELIJAH'S POV
Something that even she couldn't do.
She...
Only a few steps were separating me and Hannah Evans when her image struck like a bullet in my mind.
Her blood-soaked image.
Blood...
All over and around her white dress.
My eyes didn't break contact with the girl walking towards me but it wasn't her that I was seeing, in fact, my mind was somewhere else. Somewhere dark. Everything slowed down as visuals of the day four years ago when my whole world shattered replayed in my mind clearer than ever like it was yesterday.
I don't know for how long I was in that zone, revisiting every moment of it, reliving every quiver and pain it caused. The trembling of my hands as they held her, soaking red with her blood. The feeling of my heart clenching so hard I thought it'll burst. The desperation of my voice, the heaviness of my breath, the numb, the helplessness. Each and everything coming back to me opening up all the unhealed wounds I've been carrying around for four years.
I snapped back to reality as I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and I almost grimaced like a bucket of ice-cold water dropped on me bringing me back to the present. I turned and saw my mom's worried face, concern written all over her. I looked at her without blinking, still not comprehending. She gave my shoulder a little squeeze, knowing exactly what I was going through. I can see a layer of wetness in her eyes as she patted my back gently and turned back, clearly hiding her tears.
I turned around and saw everyone looking at me with perplexity. Then my eyes set back to the girl who was now standing right in front of me. I knew my gaze has gone beyond dark when I looked at the people around me but realized the intensity of it when she recoiled a little with fear.
It was at that I completely registered where I was lost and what was going on. The demons I've been trying to fight were now once again resurfacing and are getting stronger than they've ever been and they are tearing me apart.
What was I even thinking before? Giving an edge of the doubt to this gold digger, try to reason with me without wanting to, seeing things which aren't possible ever. How can I think something so absurd and ridiculous? I'm definitely losing my mind!
It must be the effect of the amount of alcohol I've been consuming lately along with my current state of mind that's rendering me numb of all my logical sense to the point that I'm hallucinating things, reading into the situations that aren't likely to happen ever. Yeah, that must be it.
After gaining control over my thoughts once again, I focused back on the greedy, money-hungry whore ̶ ̶ because that's what she is ̶ ̶ despise written all over me.
That's right, I despise her, she disgusts me like no one else.
Her eyes widened when she saw the intensity of hatred in my eyes. I can tell she's confused but more than that she looks scared.
Serves her right.
She should be scared because what awaits her will be terrifying.
My ruthless stare darkened further and she averted her eyes unable to meet mine. She kept fidgeting with her hands as her previous confidence faltered. I kept my unflinching hard gaze on her, intimidating her to make her see what is she getting herself into. Maybe it'll change her mind now.
At that thought, my sight went 10x crueler than it was before.
My thoughts were cut in between when the priest started the damned 'ceremony' if you could call it that.
"Dear ladies and gentlemen, family, and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honor. Into this holy agreement, these two people come together to be joined. If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."
This agreement is anything but holy. It's trading. Only God in which I don't believe knows how much I wanted to speak against it. But I have to stay quiet and roll with it... for now.
A low humorless snicker escaped me, and at that, she looked at me again but averted it as soon as she saw my eyes fixated on her as if my gaze burned her. The minister once again started talking but my sole center of attention was at her.
"Marriage is a sacred union between husband and wife and shall remain unbroken. It is the base of a stable and loving relationship and is a joining of two hearts, bodies, and souls. The husband and wife are there to support one another and provide love and care in times of joy and times of adversity."
What are the bases of this marriage then?
Business
Contract
Merger
Money
"We are all here today to witness the joining in wedded bliss of Elijah and Hannah. This joyous day celebrates the commitment and love with which Elijah and Hannah will start their lives together. Through God, you are joined together in the holiest of bonds."
He took a pause, stepped a little further towards us, and turned in my direction.
"Does you two have your own vows that you wan..."
'No' the minister looked taken aback at my quick and harsh reply but nevertheless, nodded.
"Do you, Elijah Alexander Norman take Hannah Anne Evans to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
My voice held no emotions yet it was cold enough to freeze lava. I noticed her stiffen.
The priest turned towards her at that.
"Do you, Hannah Anne Evans take Elijah Alexander Norman to be your lawfully wedded husband and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
Silence
Utter and complete silence.
Everyone was now looking at her suspiciously, including me, waiting for her to answer.
She didn't!
More and more seconds passed as pin drop silence reigned over us, heaviness all around in the air.
As I observed her more and more, I could tell she was contemplating, battling with her inner self. A turmoil is visible in her hazel eyes giving her thoughts away.
It got me curious as well as the silence prolonged.
Will she say no?
Can we stop this adversity right here?
I can tell the commotion around us was getting louder and louder, everyone eyeing the person next to them with confusion but my mind took notice of none of it as I kept looking at her.
Silence.
Just answer already, dammit!
.
.
.
.
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Anddd a bit of cliffhanger there, isn't it? Please don't kill me... *author hides*
What do you think Hannah's answer will be?
Should she say yes or no?
Leave your comments to answer what you think will happen.
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