“Nevermind, I was just passing through. I wanted to inform you that I’m leaving,” I said.
“What is wrong with you, Faye?” Gabriel snapped just as Lily started crying.
“Oh my gosh, Faye, I’m sorry. Please don't leave because of me,” she cried in a pitiful voice.
He grabbed me and tried to drag me out of the hall but I pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me with your filthy hands!” I hissed at him.
“Let’s go somewhere and talk,” Gabriel said.
Suddenly the twins started hitting me furiously, “Wicked woman! You've hurt our mom.”
“That’s enough, children, I’m fine,” Lily said in-between sobs.
But the kids weren't done. Ace ran out of the hall and returned almost immediately holding my most precious possession.
“No!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening as I reached for him.
Ace giggled and let it go.
The deafening sound of my mother’s ashes hitting the floor as the jar broke was enough to drive me insane.
“What have you done?!” I yelled at him.
“If you hurt our new mommy again you'll regret it,” Ian stated.
The guests started murmuring.
“Who is this madwoman?”
“She’s the mistress who’s refused to leave Gabriel for eleven years now.”
“She’s so shameless trying to ruin another woman’s wedding.”
“Lily is so sweet she's even defending her.”
“She’s such a wicked woman.”
“Say whatever you want, I don't care!” I snapped suddenly, startling the gossipers, “These brats —”
“That’s enough, Faye!” Gabriel snapped.
I saw the slap before he raised his hand and I’ll be damned if I let him touch me.
I caught his hand midway and I slapped him twice, as a shocked gasp escaped his lips.
“Go to hell, Gabriel!” I hissed through gritted teeth.
Without waiting for a response, I stormed out of the hall, tears clouding my vision.
I refused to stop because I feared I would break down.
When I walked into the room, my heart felt empty. For ten years I hoped my kids' would love me but now it was clear that there was nothing left for me here.
I grabbed my suitcase and started arranging my clothes inside it.
A few minutes later, the door opened and Gabriel barged in, his eyes red with anger.
“What madness has taken over you, Faye?” he growled at me.
I ignored him as I tossed my shoes into the box. He suddenly grabbed my box and flung it across the room, scattering the things in it.
“Do I have your attention now?” he hissed at me.
I scoffed, “You can have the box and the clothes. In fact, I want nothing from here that has been tainted.”