The moment they saw my resolve, their expressions shifted.
Percival glared at me, all pretense gone. "I told them not to go after some pampered city princess, but did anyone listen?"
"They made me fake being sick just to trick her into coming back here to marry and settle down!"
"We didn't pay a cent in bride price, and she didn't bring a cent in dowry either!"
The words hit me one after another, each more absurd than the last. My heart skipped a beat.
"You faked your illness?"
My whole body was shaking.
"Dad, I brought you here to help, not to make things worse!" Nigel's voice came from the doorway.
He stormed in, flushed and frantic.
Leona was right behind him.
After a few sharp words, Percival went quiet.
"Nigel." My voice was barely holding together. "Explain. Now."
"You made your father fake an illness to trick me into coming back here and marrying you?"
I jabbed my finger at his face, fury flooding every vein.
Back then, Nigel had promised my parents we'd stay in Seaview City. It was only because of his father's "illness" that we'd moved back here at all.
Because I was soft-hearted, I agreed to stay and settle down here.
But I never imagined all of it had been a lie.
"So what if it was!"
"Lorraine, did you really expect me to move in with your family like some kept man?"
...
"Lorraine, please don't be upset."
"Nigel didn't mean it like that. You two have only been married two years. Why let it get this bad..."
Leona reached for my hand with that practiced look of concern. I shook her off.
"Drop the act, Leona!"
"The second we divorce, you'll slide right into my spot, won't you?"
Two sentences. That was all it took for every face in the room to change.
"Don't you dare open your mouth just to smear people. You want a divorce, so you pin your dirty laundry on Leona and Nigel?"
Nigel grabbed my hand too, squaring up like he had something to prove.
"Lorraine, what the hell are you talking about!"
He clamped down on my wrist and wouldn't let go. The pressure was enough to grind bone.
"Let go!"
I ducked my head and sank my teeth into his hand. Nigel gritted his teeth and hurled me away.
My back slammed straight into the glass cabinet. The panel shattered on impact.
I reached behind me on instinct. My fingers came back slick with blood.
"Lorraine, you brought this on yourself!"
"Sit here and think about what you've done!"