Chapter 49: A Double Breakdown
For eight years, Seraphina had stepped on Sonya, fueling her own vanity and sense of superiority. She never expected that Sonya would marry into the Reynolds family, especially the one man who had once rejected her.
Julian Jennings’s breakdown had shocked the guests, but Seraphina’s outburst was even more astonishing. The Reynolds Crown Prince’s bride was beautiful, elegant, and poised. Why, then, were Julian and Seraphina so devastated?
Sonya stepped out from behind Henry, her gaze icy.
“Wasn’t someone talking about slapping themselves yesterday?” Sonya sneered. “Ms. West, you have quite a fan club outside.”
Seraphina glared. “How dare you, a wretch abandoned by Julian—”
“Say one more word, and I’ll rip your mouth apart!” Sonya retorted.
At that moment, Grandma Reynolds stormed forward, standing beside Sonya.
“My granddaughter-in-law is wonderful. Anyone who dares to bully her should first ask the Reynolds family for permission!”
Sonya turned to look. Henry’s parents, Jason Reynolds—everyone—stood behind her. This was what family support felt like. She didn’t have to fight alone.
New York’s elite watched, cameras flashing, fans gathering outside. Everyone was witnessing this moment.
Sonya held Henry’s hand with one hand and Grandma Reynolds’s with the other, the warmth of both grounding her.
“I didn’t want to discuss the past, but my silence doesn’t mean I was wrong. We broke up, and I didn’t want any unnecessary drama. But you bullied me repeatedly, and I endured it. This is the last time. Don’t push me—I know too much about your dirty little secrets!”
Seraphina gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “I’m not afraid of you. Don’t think you’re important just because you married into the Reynolds family.”
“Shut up!” Jennings’s father snapped, glaring at Seraphina, then turning to Henry. “What’s wrong with you? Apologize to Mrs. Sullivan!”
Seraphina stared at him incredulously. “Father, you want me to apologize to… Sonya?”
Jennings’s father sighed, walking toward Seraphina. “If you still want to marry into our family, apologize now!”
“No!” Seraphina cried out.
Mrs. Jennings, standing behind her, scolded her husband. “Are you crazy? Make Seraphina apologize? What about the Jennings family’s reputation?”
“You’re crazy! Is reputation more important than our partnership?” he retorted.
“But…” Mrs. Jennings faltered.
“And after this, does the Jennings family even have any reputation left?” he pressed.
Mrs. Jennings looked at her despondent son before pushing Seraphina forward. “Seraphina, just apologize to Sonya.”
“Mother, why do I have to apologize to that little bitch?” Seraphina snapped.
“Jennings Corporation needs Ella Corporation’s partnership. It’s the future of Jennings Corporation.”
“Absolutely not!” Seraphina shouted.
Mrs. Jennings sighed. “I thought you were sensible, but if you don’t care about the Jennings family’s future, you’re not suitable to be our daughter-in-law.”
Seraphina bit her lip, hoping Julian would intervene, but he remained fixed on Sonya, oblivious to her. If the wedding were called off, her reputation would be ruined.
Seraphina clenched her fists and walked toward Sonya.
“Mrs. Sullivan, I apologize for my earlier rudeness.”
Sonya looked down at Seraphina, who was bowing before her. The apology wasn’t satisfying—it felt like stepping in something foul. She wanted to be done with it.
“Seraphina, remember what I said. This is the last time!” Sonya warned.
She turned to Henry. “Let’s go inside.”
Henry kissed her forehead. “Okay.”
After the commotion died down, the wedding continued smoothly. Henry held Sonya’s hand, accepting blessings from their family and friends. She was no longer Ms. Ella—she was Mrs. Sullivan.
That night, their wedding night, was passionate.
Afterward, they showered together and then went to bed. Sonya quickly fell asleep, but woke to find Henry gone. She heard noises outside and went to the window. The “double happiness” characters were torn, and the easel in the yard was overturned. Julian Jennings, drunk, was causing havoc.
Henry went outside in slippers, immediately punching Julian Jennings to the ground and kicking him repeatedly. Julian curled up, shivering.
Henry bent down, his face cold. “Are you sober now?”
Julian Jennings laughed drunkenly. “I’m sorry…”
“I don’t care. Just remember—if you ever bother Sonya again, I’ll kill you!” Henry growled.
He dragged Julian away, locking him outside.
Sonya returned to bed. A few moments later, Henry came in, changed, and hugged her.
She snuggled closer to him. “What were you doing?”
“Killing a rat,” he replied.
Sonya laughed. “I bet it was a big one.”
Henry laughed too, his laughter vibrating through her as her head rested on his chin, her forehead against his throat.
She kissed his Adam’s apple. “Aren’t you sleepy?” he teased.
Sonya yawned. “I’m so sleepy!”
But Henry rolled over, his eyes only on her, gentle this time.
His fists were hard, and he was ruthless, but with her, he was tender.
The next morning, Sonya woke late. Henry had already gotten up and made breakfast.
“Sorry, I should’ve gotten up with you,” he said, pulling her into a hug and kissing her forehead. “I’ll make breakfast. You don’t need to wake up early.”
“I’ll do the dishes,” she offered.
“Okay.”
They divided the chores and ate together. Henry mentioned he’d be going to the office but would return by the afternoon.
“If you’re busy, don’t worry about me,” Sonya said.
Henry smirked. “I’d rather be in bed than at the office.”
Sonya glared at him. “You’re incorrigible.”
At the door, Henry kissed her goodbye.
Then, Sonya encountered Julian Jennings. His bruises and battered body were hard to ignore. She chose to ignore him, but he was defiant.
“Sonya, this is your fault,” he spat.
Sonya raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Julian smirked. “I contacted a demolition crew. Your parents’ house is getting demolished and rebuilt today—erasing all traces of your family!”
