The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

I wore a reversible design long dress. Since I always wear black, the dress I ordered has a black garment inside. I had a hunch Jessica was brewing up some drama, aiming to cast me as the villainous sister-in-law. Yet, her swiftness in action caught me off guard; I had anticipated a more theatrical display, perhaps in front of a larger audience.

As the door to the extension room swung open, Jessica, her cronies, and her mother stood dumbfounded at the sight of me in my elegant black dress.

Amir's distress was palpable as his eyes met mine. The contrast of my current attire against the white he had seen earlier clearly didn't mind him. Amir, being the traditionalist he is, doesn't place much weight on appearances, a trait perhaps explaining Jessica's lack of genuine affection for him.

"That's impossible! Amir, Sarah was wearing white just moments ago. You remember, don't you?" Jessica's words stumbled out, tinged with jealousy evident in her gaze. Despite my current choice of black dress, its embellished fabric sparkled, resembling a constellation of stars, outshining Jessica's wedding gown.

Turning to Amir, I couldn't contain my incredulity.

"Unbelievable! Amir, your fiancée has been tormenting me! They locked me inside this room, and now I'm the one being painted as the villain? Besides, is it my fault if I'm more beautiful than her?" I accused, the silence around us amplifying the weight of my words.

The people around were speechless, but my mic drop moment left them with nothing to say.

I knew it wasn't cool to keep putting Amir in the middle like he's some kind of referee breaking up our spats, but I wasn't about to let another toxic situation slide in our family.

"Ah, it was you who slapped me! I knew it! Including you in my bridal party was a mistake! And you were wearing a long white dress earlier," Jessica exclaimed. "That's right!" her maid of honor chimed in.

Amir felt exhausted trying to make sense of it all.

I clapped sarcastically and said, "It's amusing how you're all ganging up on me. Did you know you're mocking each other in private chat?"

The women couldn't look at each other, and they couldn't respond. I knew it! I wasn't sure about my last statement, but I knew how awful Jessica could be!

"Amir, do you recognize any of these women in all your years with Jessica? Do you know them besides Mrs. Woods?"

He remained silent, his lips sealed as if guarding against an impending storm. It was clear he had no intention of fueling the fire further.

"No! That's why you're pushing me to be part of her bridal party. They were all social media personalities! They weren't even her real friends! And I wouldn't be surprised if the groomsmen were set up similarly."

Grandpa Mitchell entered the room, causing Jessica to step back.

"What's happening here?" Grandpa asked.

"Grandpa!" I acted, pretending to cry. I approached him. "These women bullied me. They locked me in that room," I complained to him.

Grandpa Mitchell's expression twisted in displeasure. "Amir, what is the meaning of this?"

Jessica, trembling with apprehension, quickly interrupted, "No, Grandpa! It was Sarah who slapped me!"

"If Sarah harmed you, there must have been a reason! Are you suggesting my granddaughter acts without cause as if she's lost her mind?" Grandpa retorted sharply, causing Jessica to clench her jaw in frustration. "That woman is utterly unhinged! That's why tragedy befell her child; it didn't want Sarah as its mother when it entered this world! Her own baby rejects her, ashamed that its mother was abandoned by its father! She's deranged!" Jessica spat out angrily.

A shocked gasp rippled through the room as Jessica's words hung heavily. The other women exchanged concerned glances, their whispers casting wary glances in my direction.

Grandpa Mitchell's anger was palpable. His features contorted with fury, and I felt tension coiling in my muscles, pained by the venomous words exchanged.

"Jess, apologize to Sarah now!" Amir's voice broke the tense silence.

"Why should I apologize? Especially to her!" Jessica shot back defiantly. "Have some backbone! Are you going to stand by and let them disrespect me like this? I want nothing to do with your family, not with that old hog or with Sarah-they're both meddlers, utterly worthless!"

"Jessica!" Amir's sharp rebuke cut through the tension.

"And you have the nerve to humiliate my family in this manner?" Grandpa Mitchell sneered. "Sancho!" he called out to his assistant.

"Boss?"

"Announce to everyone that we are severing ties with the Woods Family! Remove Mr. Woods from his managerial position and divest our stocks in their company!" Grandpa Mitchell's chest heaved with the weight of his decision. "Grandpa Mitchell, I'm sorry!" Mrs. Woods knelt. She was evidently the only one who truly understood the gravity of Grandpa's command. "P-please forgive my daughter," she pleaded.

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"Amanda, give this woman a good slap," I commanded, finally exacting retribution for Jessica's disrespect toward my deceased child. Despite the threat of tears, I steadied myself with resolve.

Jessica's eyes widened in disbelief. It seemed inconceivable to her that a mere maid would dare to slap her, a humiliation that reverberated through those presents.

"A-Amir!" Jessica appealed to my brother for aid.

Grandpa warned Amir sternly. "If you truly desire this woman in our family, she must face the consequences of her actions! You've heard how she humiliated me and Sarah!"

Amanda delivered not one but two resounding slaps to Jessica's cheeks on my behalf before breaking down in tears and collapsing to the ground. Her mother rushed to her side while Amir stood bewildered, grappling with many emotions. I could see he was exhausted from the ongoing drama.

Grandpa Mitchell called his assistant once more. "Sancho!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Ensure that Jessica Woods is never again welcomed within my mansion!" Grandpa declared, his disgust evident toward Amir's fiancée.

"Understood, sir."

Grandpa Mitchell departed, his demeanor tinged with frustration.

"Brother, did you know what your girlfriend introduced me to her friends as? Your mistress, your other woman!"

The women appeared visibly shocked, especially when I referred to Amir as my brother.

"The idea of me having a happy relationship with your fiancée is more far-fetched than a crow turning white! I'm truly disappointed." I gritted my teeth as I stormed out of the room, making my way to the main building of the mansion, specifically to the bar area.

I needed a drink!

"Could I have a Margarita, please?" I asked the bartender. The drink was swiftly handed to me, and I downed it in one gulp.

Sitting there, I pondered whether I bore responsibility for my child's death. I also couldn't help but wonder if I had provoked Amir's girlfriend in some way for her to make such an accusation. Or perhaps...

"Miss Sarah!" Mr. Reynolds' soft call drew my attention. He stood off to the side, near the tall indoor plants, clearly attempting to remain inconspicuous.

It seemed he preferred to keep our interactions discreet, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the event. Mr. Reynolds was intelligent and able to anticipate trouble when I tasked him with contacting the previous wedding planner.

Approaching Amir's assistant, he seemed eager to whisper something to me. Leaning in closer, I listened intently to what he had to say.

"Ms. Sarah, just as you instructed, the wedding planner informed me that she caught Ms. Jessica cheating with one of the groomsmen. The previous planner overheard the one groomsman boasting about meeting Ms. Jessica tonight behind the boss's back. When confronted, Ms. Jessica decided to sever our ties with the planner," Mr. Reynolds whispered.

Before my temper could fully flare, an arm wrapped around me, pulling me away from Mr. Reynolds. When I lifted my head, I was met with a punishing kiss.

My mind went blank, and I couldn't move right away. Mr. Reynolds's cheeks flushed, clearly taken aback by what the troublemaker Philip had done.

Philip's eyes narrowed as he turned to Mr. Reynolds. "She's a young, innocent woman! What are you trying to do? She's almost like your daughter!"

Mr. Reynolds was stunned, and I was barely coming back to my senses, still reeling from that punishing, mind-boggling, cum-inducing kiss. Did Philip think there was something between me and Amir's assistant?

"Uhm, M-Mr. Cornell, it's not what it looks like," Mr. Reynolds stammered. "I'm not a groomer."

"Philip, you're so annoying! You're the one acting like a groomer! I am his daughter!" I interjected.

Mr. Reynolds was speechless, unable to bring himself to speak.

"What?" On the other hand, Philip seemed confused, knowing I was an orphan.

"I mean, he treated me like a daughter! What's your problem? But most of all, I want my knuckles on your face! Could you please stop stealing kisses? What are you even doing here?" I retorted.

Mr. Reynolds was aware of my relationship with the rascal Philip!

Before Philip could respond, I was startled as Mr. Reynolds' eyes widened. He turned away and pointed his fingers towards the two men approaching the bar station.