7#07

7

I gazed at Kendra, feeling a surge of incredulous bitterness as if the person before me had suddenly become unrecognizable.

"This is my wedding, Kendra. Naturally, it will be exactly as I desire," I replied, my tone harsher than I'd intended.

"Pay attention, Kendra—I'm marrying Rosie. This nonsense ends now. It's finished."

"You can't possibly marry her!" Kendra retorted, her voice laden with desperation.

She lunged forward, trying to grasp me, but in an instant, Rosie was there, enveloping me in her comforting, protective arms. The jacket draped over me felt like a necessary barrier.

Without hesitation, Rosie's hand connected with Kendra's cheek, the crisp sound resonating in the chilly air.

"Who do you think you are, Kendra? Daring to put your hands on my fiancé?"

Kendra reeled backward, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth, yet her smile was far from remorseful—it was provocative.