Shadows Drift Beyond Memory by Xarin Vale novel Chapter 50

Chapter 3

Marissa’s face twisted with rage. She tried to argue back.

But under Drew’s icy glare, she backed down.

“Fine! I’m sorry.”

The moment those three words came out, their friends immediately jumped in to smooth things over.

The whole mess finally wrapped up, half–assed as it was.

On the drive home, Drew clung to me, apologizing, coaxing me with soft words.

The second we got through the door, he dropped to his knees in front of me, looking up.

I cupped his face, forcing out each word like a warning:

‘Drew Sullivan. This is the last time.”

He nuzzled into my palm, voice trembling:

‘Lucia, I swear. Never again.”

But the next day, I walked into the wedding venue-

And the carpet was gone.

n its place: glowing red–hot coals and shattered ceramic shards scattered everywhere.

My face darkened instantly. I snapped at the event coordinator.

he stammered nervously:

Ms. Hayes, your husband requested this.”

forced down my fury:

Clear it out immediately. Lay down the carpet.”

Before she could move, Drew hurried over, voice gentle and pleading:

Lucia, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I had this specially arranged.”

You know my family has this tradition–at weddings, the bride walks across burning coals. It symbolizes walking toward a bright

uture.”

‘d heard about the Sullivan family tradition before.

16:10

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Rahy–NNA Plast Along But Bahute in.

Chapter 3

“But why so many coals? I thought it was just a few pieces–purely symbolic.”

Suddenly, the groomsmen chimed in:

‘That wouldn’t show enough sincerity!”

Besides, these are low–temp coals. They look red, but they’re not actually hot!”

One of the friends from that party sneered:

I thought you could handle anything. Can’t handle this? Seriously?”

Marissa added with a cold smirk:

If I were marrying Drew, I’d do whatever he asked without a second thought.”

seeing the undisguised malice and provocation in her eyes-

finally understood. This was a carefully orchestrated humiliation.

And the mastermind was my own fiancé.

whipped around, staring at Drew in disbelief.

A flash of panic and guilt flickered in his eyes:

Lucia, there are so many people here… don’t embarrass me…”

felt utterly absurd. I turned to leave, but Marissa suddenly grabbed me and hissed viciously in my ear:

Lucia Hayes, you really think Drew’s going to marry you?”

Let me tell you the truth–today’s wedding? It’s your funeral.”

he raised her hand.

our or five burly men rushed out from both sides and pinned me down.

struggled frantically, but I was no match for them.

‘he next second, my shoes and socks were violently ripped off, and I was shoved hard onto the glowing coals.

he instant my skin touched the fire, black smoke and the stench of burning flesh erupted.

could feel my skin curling and charring on the coals.

Searing pain drowned out all reason.

struggled, desperately looking at Drew:

‘Drew Sullivan, are you just going to stand there and watch Marissa kill me?!”

Chapter 3

But he only stood there, expressionless, watching me suffer:

“Lucia, don’t embarrass me.”

The flames devoured the flesh on my calves.

Through the agonizing pain, my vision blurred.

Just then, my parents and relatives entered the hall.

The moment they saw my condition, the smiles froze on their faces.

My mother screamed, trying to throw herself into the fire to save me.

But Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan blocked her:

“Walking over coals is a Sullivan family tradition. You agreed to it.”

“What’s the meaning of this now?!”

My mother’s whole body trembled as she pointed at them:

“You’re trying to kill my daughter!”

My father shoved aside the security guards and roared:

“What bullshit tradition! This wedding is off!”

Hearing that, the Hayes relatives surged forward.

The Sullivans were outnumbered and quickly overwhelmed.

Just as my parents were about to rescue me, Drew lunged forward and threatened through gritted teeth:

‘Lucia Hayes, you really want to call off the wedding?”

‘I don’t agree! You can’t leave me!”

I gripped my parents‘ hands tightly, without hesitation:

‘Oh really? Then I’ll see you in court!”

‘Drew Sullivan, I’m not just calling off this wedding–I’m pressing charges for attempted murder!”