Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

Shelley emerged from the fitting room, already donned in her wedding gown. Nirupama’s creations always embodied a seamless blend of sensuality, beauty, and grandeur, each gown carrying its own significance and emotions. This particular dress exuded an overall sense of sweetness; the form-fitting lace delicately concealed sensitive areas, while the layered chiffon created a sense of allure and mystery.

At that moment, Festus was left speechless when Shelley stepped out. “You look stunning, my princess,” he uttered, presenting her with a rose. Shelley blushed as she took the rose from his hand, delicate petals adorned with fresh dew, infusing her fair fingertips with a subtle floral fragrance.

“Absolutely gorgeous, Festus has an eye for beauty,” Luzia remarked upon learning that Festus had personally selected the gown. “Unlike me and Vivian, who even chose their own bridal shops.”

Receiving compliments about her fiance naturally made Shelley proud and happy, but when Luzia praised only Festus and not her, Shelley felt a bit displeased. “Festus has a good eye, but isn’t it because I look good?” she retorted.

“Indeed, you are right,” Vivian chuckled, covering her mouth. “Festus has a good eye for choosing a wedding gown, and the bride is even more beautiful.”

“Vivian always knows what to say,” Shelley said, triumphantly touching Luzia’s hand with the rose. “Stay and attend my wedding, my friend.”

“I hope to,” Luzia shrugged, saying, “I really do.” Without a definitive answer, Shelley didn’t feel disheartened. While she hoped Luzia would stay, she wouldn’t do anything to make her uncomfortable.

“My waist feels a bit loose,” Shelley found Nirupama and showed her the problem. “Your waist is too slender, dear,” Nirupama said, removing the tape measure hanging around her neck to re-measure Shelley’s waist. “Please give me some time. I need to make adjustments to this dress to perfectly accentuate your charm. Your groom will certainly be captivated by you.”

As Shelley turned to check her measurements, finishing her afternoon tea, they bid Nirupama farewell. Shelley was heading to the harbor, with Festus driving her. Vivian and Luzia, on the other hand, returned to the apartment with Mare.

Just outside Nirupama’s shop, Mare’s phone rang. He went to the side to answer the call, while Vivian and Luzia stood waiting at the door.

“Aren’t you leaving yet?” Shelley, sitting in the passenger seat, asked Vivian and Luzia standing at the door.

Luzia pointed to Mare, “He’s on the phone.”

Just as Mare answered the call, a furious shout from Alajos on the other end came through, “Richard has escaped. He might go looking for Vivian. Mare, where are you guys now?”

“What?” Mare couldn’t contain his shock, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

As his gaze fell upon Vivian, he suddenly noticed a red dot trained on her.

Ambush!

“Vivian, get down!” Mare shouted in horror, lunging towards Vivian and pulling Luzia down with him.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Bullets pierced through the glass display of the bridal shop, the shattering of glass and gunfire causing panic among passersby, screams echoing through the street.

Festus was startled; he nearly hit the gas pedal, but thankfully, he reacted quickly and hit the brakes in time.

“What’s happening?” Shelley was terrified. Having just realized what had occurred, her face turned pale.

Shelley leaned out the car window, incessantly tapping the door, asking from the huddled trio on the ground, “Are you all okay? Luzia? Vivian? Mare?”

“Lie down,” Festus reached out, pressing down Shelley’s head, a gun in his hand cocking. “Mare, get in quickly.”

Without Festus having to say, Mare knew it was too late to call for the driver now. He immediately opened Festus’s car door for easier access for Luzia to get in, helping Vivian to her feet. As Mare raised his head, there were two shots hitting Festus’s car, one grazing the roof, the other hitting the bridal shop’s sign.

Trembling in Mare’s arms, Vivian clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, barely suppressing the scream rising in her throat.

Don’t scream, don’t panic. Mare will protect her; she will be fine.

Vivian’s breath was rapid. The sudden fall caught her off guard, her hand instinctively cushioning her stomach, the 25-week-old bump experiencing a dull ache.

“Vivian! Vivian!” Luzia leaned over the car seat, assisting Mare in pulling Vivian into the car.

“Bang!”

“Mare!” Luzia held Vivian tightly in her arms, as Mare held onto thecar door, drawing his gun to fire outside.

Bratva members emerged from both sides of the street, surrounding the red sports car. Festus hit the gas, swerving ahead.

Shelley bent down, hands wrapped around her head, trying to curl into a ball as much as possible. The seatbelt secured her, preventing her from being thrown out in the high-speed rush of Festus’s driving.

She covered her pounding heart, feeling dizzy and almost nauseous. “Bratva? Are they really this audacious now?” As soon as she spoke, Shelley realized her folly. Wasn’t it also broad daylight when Vivian was attacked at the spa last time?

Fortunately, despite the thrilling Bratva attack, after escaping their encirclement, there was no pursuit. They had safely escaped.