Chapter 4
I casually lifted my glass and took a sip, keeping my expression unreadable.}]
We’d discover whether the curse was real or just an old family myth in three days.}
The room buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses, but the moment Louis appeared at the top of the grand crystal staircase, silence rippled through the crowd.§
Nicole stood beside him, her hand locked tightly in his.”
They descended together, each step guided by the rhythm of the music, which flowed like a gentle wave.
Then, without warning, Louis’s face twisted in pain.
His foot slipped, and in an instant, he lost his balance. He tumbled down the stairs, landing on the ground with a sickening thud.
A collective gasp rippled through the room.
“Do you think Louis is dead?” someone asked, voice trembling with concern.>
Several people quickly gathered, kneeling to see if Louis was alive.
A tense moment passed before one of them let out a sigh of relief.
“He’s still breathing. Get him to the hospital, fast!”
Right then, Louis collapsed. Chaos erupted, and within minutes, he was rushed to the hospital.
The wedding screeched to a halt.
But the curse?}
That was just getting started.
I glanced up at Nicole, still frozen at the top of the stairs, her eyes wide with terror.}
She didn’t scream. She didn’t move.
I didn’t say a word. Just turned and walked away.
When Louis fell, she’d been close enough to catch him.
But she didn’t.
Worse, when he reached out for her, desperate, she pushed him away.
“Elise, was this your doing?” Nicole’s voice rang out from behind me, full of accusation.
I didn’t even respond. The truth didn’t need to be said.
…
Later that day, when Louis regained consciousness, he ordered that I be taken to the hospital.
“Elise, do you think pulling these tricks will make me believe in the Jefferson family curse?” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Let me tell you, you can’t fool me.“>
I looked at him coolly. “What the hell are you talking about?“}
With her eyes swollen and red from crying, Nicole stepped forward.
“Elise, I had people investigate. It was you who drugged Louis’s water, causing his legs to go numb, embarrassing him in front of everyone. He almost lost his life.”
She was on the verge of tears again.
“It’s my fault,” Nicole added, her voice trembling. “I was so worried about the baby… I didn’t grab you in time. Louis, it’s all my fault.“} Louis raised his hand to wipe away her tears, his gaze softening. “Nicole, I don’t blame you. The baby is the most important thing.” Then his eyes darted to me, his voice becoming cold. “Elise, be thankful Nicole and the baby are fine. Or else, I wouldn’t let you off so easily. You’ve ruined my life, so don’t think you’ll get away with it. I’m cutting off your mother’s medicine. Let her learn a lesson.“}
My breath caught in my throat, panic flashing in my eyes.
“No, Louis! You can’t stop my mother’s medication!” I snapped, voice trembling. “If you’re angry, take it out on me! My mom got hurt saving your life. If you cut off her meds now, she might never wake up!“>
Louis’s eyes narrowed, his tone like ice. “Don’t try to threaten me. Who told you to ruin my wedding with Nicole today?”
I fumbled in my bag, pulled out the freshly printed divorce agreement, and shoved it into his hands.
“I told you, it’s the curse. If you divorce me now, nothing will happen. It’s your last chance.”
Louis’s expression twisted into a bitter sneer. With one sharp motion, he ripped the papers to shreds.
“Elise, do you really think I’m that stupid? Still playing the curse card? You want a divorce?“}]
Then he threw the torn pieces to the floor and sneered, “Keep dreaming.”
With that, Louis gave the order.
His men dragged me back to the Anderson estate and threw me into the confinement room. Desperation surged through me as I pounded on the door.”
“Please! Please open the door, let me out! I need to see Louis!“}
I kept yelling, voice cracking, hands raw.
“Open it, please! My mother needs me! I have to save her!”
On the other side, the guard’s voice emerged, icy and indifferent.”
“Madam, please don’t make this harder than it already is.”
…
For three long days, I screamed until my voice gave out, until all that was left was the sound of my ragged breathing and the silence pressing in around me.
My eyes were swollen from crying, my throat raw, and the weight of hopelessness settled over me like a shroud.
When I thought I couldn’t take another second, the door creaked open.
Louis stood there, leaning casually against the frame, a smirk playing on his lips.”
“Today’s my grandfather’s 80th birthday. You’re coming with me. And this time,” he said coolly, “don’t try anything.”
Elise’s POV
Louis glanced at the maid behind him and ordered, “Get her ready. We leave in half an hour.”@
Without waiting, I snatched my phone and quickly turned it on. A string of missed calls from the hospital flashed on the screen, each one a painful reminder.
With trembling hands, I called back.
Ms. Jefferson, why did it take you so long to answer? Your mother passed away last night…”
The voice on the other end was stiff, professional, but it felt like a punch to the gut.
stood there, stunned, as I was brought before Louis. With his arm casually draped around Nicole’s waist, they entered his private car when he rolled down the window and looked at me.
Nicole can’t stand the smell of the new car,” Louis said nonchalantly. “You take another one.“}
As his car drove away, I stood there clutching my phone, staring at the hospital’s death notice glowing on the screen.
Rage rose inside me, sharp and unrelenting. All I felt was hatred for Louis and everything he had taken from me.
At that moment, it felt like fate itself had turned cruel.
Then, out of nowhere, a runaway truck barreled toward Louis’s car.
