Chapter 6
288 Vouchers
Jolie was half–conscious when they brought her back to the house.
Her body had broken down from the shock of ice water and the crushing weight of grief. She fell ill and never quite recovered.
From then on, only the housekeeper cared for her. Meanwhile, Leroy was busy traveling the world with Jane.
She said she’d lost over a decade of happiness and planned to take it all back. Leroy agreed without a second thought.
For weeks, entertainment headlines were dominated by the prince of New York’s elite and his beloved crush on a whirlwind international romance.
Photos showed them hand–in–hand along the Seine River, cheek to cheek in front of the pyramids, and wrapped in each other’s arms in a glowing blue ice cave in Antarctica.
Jolie looked at those pictures over and over, using each one to slowly peel her feelings for Leroy out of her chest.
A week later, he came back with Jane.
The first thing he said to her was, “Jane’s biggest regret was never having a wedding with me. I want to give her that.”
It wasn’t a question–it was a statement.
Jolie stared at the man who once loved her like his life depended on it and now looked like a stranger.
0.00%
15:37
Chapter 6
12
“Do you love her?” she wanted to ask, but the words caught in her throat. She looked down and gave herself the answer. “Of course he did. He always had.”
What she really wanted to ask was, “Leroy, did you ever love me?”
But then Jane stepped into the room and gently called his name, and he turned toward her without hesitation. Jolie saw her reflection vanish from his eyes.
She took a deep breath and let out a small smile. “Sure. I hope you’re both happy…”
7
“What did you say?” He caught the first part, but not the rest. He glanced at her, puzzled.
Jolie smiled again, a flicker of sorrow in her eyes. “Nothing. Just wishing you a smooth wedding.”
Leroy’s hand paused on the doorframe. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something, maybe comfort her.
But then Jane called
gain–and he let go.
The days that followed were filled with fittings, cake tastings, venue
handled every detail himself—more
tours, and photo shootstum
carefully and thoughtfully than he ever had when he married Jolie.
But just days before the wedding, Jane made a request. “Jolie, I don’t have a flower girl. I’d really like Nikita to be mine.”
“Jane, there are plenty of kids out there. Why Nikita? Are you up to something? I’m not agreeing to this.”
Tears welled up in Jane’s eyes instantly. She turned to Leroy with that helpless, pitiful look.
32.66%
15:37
Chapter 6
11
“Roy, I just… I don’t want a stranger walking my rings down the aisle. Nikita is your sister, too, right?”
“I’d feel safer with her. I promise, I’m not trying anything. Jolie just misunderstood me…”
Leroy gently flicked the tip of her nose and smiled dotingly. “Alright, whatever you want, okay? My little princess.”
Then his gaze turned cold, directed straight at Jolie.
She knew she had no room to say no. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
Just like that, her escape plan was ruined.
But she couldn’t leave Nikita behind. So, she called that number again.
“The plan’s changed. Nikita’s going to be Jane’s flower girl. I have to take her with me.
“And the most important thing–after faking my death five years ago, Leroy got paranoid. He had a tracker put in me. I can’t just vanish.”
There was a long silence before a low voice finally came through the line.
“No problem, Mrs. Yost. I’ll take care of it. As long as you can remove the tracker.”
Jolie slowly exhaled, her expression softening with relief.
“Okay. I’ll wait for you…”
70.38%
