Chapter 3

But it was too late.

The altar, which had been deathly silent, erupted into a greater uproar. Everyone's eyes darted frantically between the delirious Mrs. Thorne and the ashen-faced Seraphina.

Some people even started recording videos.

Just then, Jason steadied the swaying Seraphina.

His voice was grave and urgent.

"Seraphina, listen. Your mother is having a mental breakdown right now; she's speaking nonsense."

"So many people have heard it, and some are secretly recording. If someone makes trouble and calls the police, they'll definitely investigate. Then not only will your mother be finished, but you'll also be questioned repeatedly. The Thorne family will be completely ruined!"

Seraphina was stunned by Jason's words, clutching his clothes, trembling.

"Then... then what do I do? Jason, I'm so scared."

A cold glint flickered in Jason's eyes, but his tone grew even calmer.

"There's only one way. forcefully send your mother to a mental hospital."

"You must maintain a consistent story externally, saying that your mother suffered too great a blow from your father's sudden death. That she's experiencing severe schizophrenia and delusions. This is the only way to protect her, and to protect you. Understand?"

A dazed Seraphina had long lost her judgment, relying completely on Jason.

Tears streaming, she nodded frantically.

"Okay!"

Under Jason's 'guidance,' Seraphina shakily signed the admission papers.

Several burly 'staff members' in uniform stepped forward, unceremoniously grabbing the still delirious, screaming, and struggling Mrs. Thorne, one on each side.

"Let me go!"

"Seraphina, I'm not sick! I'm your mother! Say something, they're trying to hurt me!"

"I don't want to go! Seraphina, don't let them take me!"

Mrs. Thorne shrieked as she was forcibly dragged from the altar, her black high heels kicking off and clattering to the ground.

I floated out after them.

I saw that the vehicle waiting wasn't an ambulance at all, but an unmarked black van.

She was shoved roughly into the back seat. Her struggles lasted only a moment.

A cold-faced man in the passenger seat raised his hand and slapped her, again and again.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Be quiet! You murderer!"

Mrs. Thorne was knocked sideways into the seat, left with only terrified whimpers.

The man emotionlessly pulled out his phone and reported.

"Mr. Jason, the person has been picked up. Following your instructions, we'll 'take good care' of her!"

By the time I floated back to the altar, the guests had left.

A funeral that should have been solemn and dignified had turned into a deeply embarrassing farce.

Seraphina, shocked and enraged, simply fainted.

But this time, Jason didn't help her.

He watched her coldly.

Then, with the tip of his shoe, he disdainfully and scornfully prodded Seraphina's limp body. His contempt was undisguised.

"Wake her up."

A bucket of ice water was splashed on Seraphina.

Seraphina jolted awake in the biting cold.

"Jason, what... what are you doing? Why..."

Jason curved a cold smile, leaning down to look at her.

"Why what?"

"I just don't want to pretend with you anymore."

Seraphina's voice instinctively trembled.

"Pretend? Is it because the Thorne family has fallen, and you think I'm useless now?"

"Jason, you weren't like this before, you used to constantly say you loved..."

Jason angrily cut Seraphina off.

"Enough! What right do you have to speak of 'love'! In that villa, there was never a single photo of Elara. Everything that belonged to her, I took care of three years ago, cleanly, not a trace left."

"When you deliberately let me see it, I knew. You were testing me."

Jason took a step forward, the invisible pressure almost suffocating Seraphina.

"You asked me who she was, didn't you?"

"Now, I'll give you the answer."

Jason's gaze drifted upward, all pretense gone, his cruel nature laid bare.

"Her name was Elara. She was the only wife I've ever had."

"Three years ago, at the abandoned factory west of the city, you pushed her. Your mother had the body dismembered into twenty-eight pieces to cover it up. Your father arranged for them to be cemented into the factory's foundation during the renovation."

I floated in the air.

I watched, cold and detached, as Seraphina trembled in absolute terror, too afraid to even sob.

Jason gripped Seraphina's neck, his eyes burning with monstrous hatred.

"I married you," he snarled, "to get close to my wife's murderer. Closer and closer..."

"...until I could kill you. Slowly."