May You Last Forever

My mother died of pure shock.
She died because she watched the wedding that was supposed to be mine unfold with a different bride at the altarTodds business partner.
The moment my mother took her last breath, my wedding became her funeral.
But Todd ordered the reception to continue. He demanded that I personally place the wedding ring on Noras finger.
Do it, he hissed, his jaw tight. Put the ring on her. Ill explain later tonight.
I ignored the fury in his eyes, gathered my mothers lifeless body in my arms, and walked out of the hotel.
At eight oclock that night, the wedding with the substitute bride concluded "perfectly."
Nora posted on her Instagram, and it was liked by hundreds of thousands.
Hehe! Finally married the light of my life today! A big thank you to the third wheel for finally realizing her place and leaving.
Todd immediately followed up with his own post: Some people just aren't worthy of love.
From the cold silence of the city morgue, I liked both their posts and left a single comment: May you last forever.
Then I collected my mothers ashes and went home to pack.
Only to find Todd and Nora locked in a passionate kiss on the new sofa I had bought for our married life.

1
It was late when I finally got home, exhausted, clutching the urn that held my mother. The moonlight was bone-chillingly cold.
As I reached the door, I saw them: Noras high heels, placed right where the lady of the house would leave them.
It wasn't the first time she'd been here.
For the past three years, ever since Nora became a senior partner at Stone Enterprises, she had used "business meetings" as an excuse to come over at all hours. Early morning, late at night, even in the middle of a torrential downpournothing could dampen her "professional ambition."
I used to fight him on it. Todds response was always the same: I needed to know my place.
When the company makes money, hed say, youre the one who gets to sit around and do nothing. Youre the one who benefits.
When I brought it up again, he would shut me out, giving me the silent treatment for days until I broke down and apologized.
I still loved him then, so Id tell myself it was okay.
But all that self-deception got me was this small, light box of ashes in my hands.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped me as I walked in. The first thing I saw was Todd and Nora on the sofa I had chosen for our new life together, locked in a heated kiss. Under the dim light, Noras pale skin was flushed, her body draped over Todds as if she didn't have a bone in it. She was clearly drunk.
When he saw me, Todds eyes flickered to the urn in my hands before he gently pushed Nora off him, carefully setting her down on the cushions.
So, shes actually dead, he said, his voice a low drawl. Not just putting on a show.
He looked down his nose at me, his tone a mockery of comfort laced with sharp impatience. Havent you made enough of a scene? Fine. Ill tell you what you want to hear. I feel guilty. Happy now?
I just stared at him, a laugh bubbling up, sharp and painful.
When my mother collapsed, hed accused her of faking it, saying it would be better if she just died for real. Hed ordered the wedding to proceed. Now that his wish had come true, this was his version of guilt.
This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I was finally marrying the man Id loved for twenty years, the boy I grew up with. And I had another, even bigger surprise planned for him.
Todd had a condition that made the odds of him having a child less than one in a million. His greatest dream was to be a father. The entire Stone family had moved heaven and earth, praying for a miracle. His grandmother had even devoted her life to a convent, praying day and night for an heir.
But somehow, by what felt like a karmic reward for all my years as a doctor, I was pregnant with his child. The confirmation, the ultrasound report that was meant to be his greatest gift, was folded in my pocket.
Now, just looking at his face made my stomach turn.
My voice was eerily calm when I spoke. Todd. Were done.
I watched his eyes widen in shock as I delivered the final blow. From this moment on, I hope we never see each other again until the day we die.
The love I had for him died with my mother. I was going to leave quietly tonight, out of respect for his grandmother, who had always treated me like her own flesh and blood. But he had just crossed a line.
Isnt my guilt enough for you? Do you want me to get on my knees and beg?
His hand shot out, his fingers digging into my arm. He stared at me, his jaw clenched just as it had been when hed ordered me to put the ring on Noras finger. You need to learn your place, Mia.
I didnt want to engage. I wrenched my arm free and turned to gather my mother's belongings. I just wanted to get away from these two monsters.
But then, Nora stirred on the sofa and sat up.
Her eyes landed on the urn.
Oh? she said, her voice a theatrical gasp. Is that your mother in there?
My goodness, shes really gone? Im so, so sorry, Mia.
Her feigned sympathy vanished in an instant. She turned to Todd, her voice becoming a sickly-sweet whine. Todd! I absolutely love that urn! My little dog died yesterday, could you ask Mia to give it to me? The poor thing deserves a nice box, don't you think? Please?
I stared at her, my mind reeling in disbelief.
But Todd was already reaching for the urn.
Give it to me, he commanded.
Its the perfect size for a dog.

2
Todd was strong. As I felt my mothers urn slipping from my grasp, about to be desecrated for his so-called dog, a primal instinct took over.
I lunged forward and sank my teeth into his wrist.
The coppery taste of blood flooded my mouth, so vile it made me want to retch.
You bitch! His face twisted into a mask of fury. The slap came fast and hard, a brutal crack against my cheek.
As I fell, my only thought was to shield the urn, cradling it tightly to my chest. My head, however, slammed into the sharp corner of the coffee table.
Todd! Nora rushed to his side, fussing over his hand before glaring at me. Mia, why would you bite him? He cares about you so much! Its just an urn. Dont you think he would have gotten your mother a much better one later?
Clutching my mothers ashes, I struggled to my feet. A warm trickle of blood ran down my face, dripping onto the polished wood of the urn.
My mother had adored me. But the person shed loved most in this world, even more than me, was the man standing before me. In that moment, something inside me shattered.
He cares about me? I shrieked. He cares, so he replaces me at my own wedding and scares my mother to death?
Dont you forget, Todd! Don't you forget what my mother did for you! Who was it that ran into a burning building to save you when you were seven, scarring her own face to pull you out!
Now I just want to leave. Get out of my way!
Enough!
Todd strode forward, his hand clamping around my throat, and slammed me against the wall. A crushing pressure stole my breath, but it was his next words, roared into my face, that truly suffocated me.
Mia! He squeezed harder, his features contorted with rage. How long are you going to hold that ancient history over my head? You have this life, isnt that enough?!
He forced the last words through gritted teeth. What right do you have to talk about leaving? I already said I feel guilty. Don't push your fucking luck!
My face was turning purple. Tears mixed with the blood streaming from my head. I didnt dare fight back with my hands. I was terrified that if I let go, my mothers ashes would fall. She had suffered enough in life. I wouldn't let her be hurt in death.
Just as my vision started to black out, Nora drifted over. She didn't try to stop him. She just watched, her voice dripping with false concern. Mia, Todd does love you. He only married me because everyone agrees were a better match. Our union will make the companys stock price soar.
But he told me, she cooed, that in private, youll always be the real Mrs. Stone.
Hes already sacrificing so much. Why cant you and your mother just try to understand him instead of getting hung up on formalities?
Her words were gasoline on a fire. I felt Todds rage spike.
Mia! Why cant you be more like Nora? Why cant you ever just understand?
The pressure on my throat intensified, his knuckles turning white.
Apologize to Nora, he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. And I promise you, outside of public events, you will always be the lady of this house.
Just as I was about to pass out, he released me. I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as he stared down at me with a look of pity, of charity, of absolute command.
A volcano of fury erupted inside me, tearing through every cell in my body.
Todd! I told you! I dont want it!
I scrambled into the kitchen, grabbed a butcher knife, and charged at them.
I was just going to leave, I screamed, but now I want you dead!
My attack was the final trigger. Todds own control snapped completely. He shoved Nora behind him and, with a furious roar, kicked out.
His foot slammed into my stomach.
Right where his child, the child hed longed for, was growing.
The force sent me flying backward into a bookshelf. A pain so sharp and absolute it stole my breath exploded in my abdomen. A hot, crimson flood gushed down my legs, pooling beneath me in a horrifyingly bright red stain.

3
I was paralyzed in a pool of my own blood, my body a symphony of agony. But the sharpest pain came from my belly, from the place where a tiny life had just begun.
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and tears blurred my vision. Clutching my mothers urn, I looked at Todd, standing cold and distant across the room. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't obey.
My hand trembled as I reached for my stomach. A violent cough wracked my body, and I spat out a mouthful of blood. The sight made Nora shriek and cling to Todds arm, her delicate features a mask of horror.
What are you playing at, Mia? Todd sneered, his face dark with contempt. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and began fastidiously wiping a drop of my blood from his shoe. I barely touched you. Stop acting like youre dying.
Noras eyes welled with tears as she looked at me with wide, innocent eyes. Todd! Do you think do you think shes pregnant? Look at all that blood its so disgusting, oh! She covered her mouth and made a show of gagging.
The act was so transparently fake, but Todd fell for it completely. He gently patted her back. If it disgusts you, then dont look.
His gaze shifted to me, his disgust just as palpable. Her? Pregnant? If she were He let out a cold, cynical laugh. Please. The whole world would know about it. Shed be using it as leverage for a better deal.
His voice dripped with scorn, the poison of his words filling the room. Shes a manipulative bitch always has been.
Just as he finished, another cramp, more violent than the last, seized me. It was a pain that bored through my skin, pierced my bones, and seared my very soul. It felt as if tiny hands were twisting every nerve in my body, my babys last, furious protest against its own destruction.
I coughed again, harder this time. A bloody, broken laugh escaped my lips.
Todd look My hand shook as I reached into my pocket. With fingers slick with the blood of our child, I pulled out the crumpled ultrasound report. I held it out to him. Look at this and then Im leaving.
And I wish you two a long and miserable life together.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "285684" to read the entire book.