Save Her by Abigail Osborne (novel books to read .txt) 📗

Flora was not surprised that Cecelia was being so dismissive. She had tried everything in her power to stop the wedding from going ahead. Along with her joyful memories of the day, there would always be the memory of Cecelia’s last-ditch attempt to stop the marriage.

Flora had been sharing a bittersweet moment with Sophie, wishing with all her heart that her mother and father were there. Staring into the mirror intently, like if she stared hard enough she could conjure their image, standing and trying to see their faces either side of her in the mirror.

‘They’ll be watching, Flo. Don’t doubt that,’ said Sophie assuredly.

Relinquishing her melancholia, Flora had focused on the fizz of excitement when she thought about becoming Sam’s wife. Belonging to someone finally. Starting a family of her own. She twirled in her dress, a huge smile on her face. Sophie perched on the bed, her happiness seemed to match Flora’s own.

It had been the perfect moment. Unadulterated, pure happiness. One of those moments that happen so rarely. Where the heart fills up, like it might burst from your chest and your smile is so wide it hurts your face. Her happiness was intense and overwhelming. A feeling that would lodge in her mind forever. The joy of the moment never fading, no matter how much time passed. She had thought nothing could spoil it. That was until Cecelia had burst through the door.

She did not stop to acknowledge Flora’s wedding dress, she only gave Sophie a cursory glance as she strode into the room, a woman on a mission. She sat down on the chaise longue at the end of the bed, regal in a royal-blue dress, her pearl-white hair coiffed to within an inch of its life. Not even a hurricane would dislodge a strand.

‘Can we help you?’ asked Sophie, not one to be intimidated by uncomfortable silences.

‘I’ve come to stop this mockery of a wedding. I can’t see another son of mine trapped into marriage by some two-bit harlot.’

Flora’s mouth fell open in shock. Cecelia’s words knocked the breath from her body.

Sophie leapt to her feet, shoulders pulled back, a look of outrage and shock on her face. ‘Excuse me?’

‘You heard me. I’ve had enough. We all know what you girls are really after. I will not play these games anymore. Not when it comes to Sam.’

Flora reached out to the chest of drawers for support. She knew that Cecelia did not approve of her, but she had thought she could see that Sam was happy, so she was grudgingly putting up with Sophie and Flora, content to play her games. But to come here, on her wedding day, calling her a money-grabbing harlot… Flora blinked back the tears and bit down on her tongue to control herself.

Sophie replied, ‘I think you need to watch what you say, Cecelia. If I hear you say one more bad word about Flora, I will not be held responsible for my actions.’ Her voice was ice cold.

‘Oh, like I’m scared of you.’ Cecelia laughed and threw her a look of utter disdain.

Sophie had moved towards Cecelia, standing over her, looking fierce. Even though anger was pulsating off her, it did nothing to ruin her beauty. Wrapped in a blush-pink bridesmaid dress, she was elegant and sophisticated with her blonde hair in a chignon. She also looked ten seconds away from punching Cecelia in the face. ‘You should be. You have no idea what I’m capable of.’ Sophie’s voice was low and menacing.

‘Oh shush, you pathetic child.’ Cecelia stood up and walked around Sophie, moving next to Flora. ‘Look, what’s it going to take? We both know you just want the money. I was too slow to stop Greg from making the biggest mistake of his life, but I won’t let that happen again.’ Cecelia opened her clutch bag and pulled out her cheque book and a pen. She looked at Flora expectantly. ‘Go on. Name your price.’

Flora shook her head. ‘I… I love Sam. I don’t want anything.’

‘Oh, come now. Do you really think this relationship is going to last? What can you possibly offer him?’ She sneered at Flora. ‘An orphan with no money or standing. At least she–’ she nodded at Sophie ‘–has a business head and can contribute something of value to the company. But you? You have no ambition, no talent and nothing to offer my son except embarrassment and eventually heartbreak. Now. Name. Your. Price.’

Flora shook her head. Cecelia scribbled on the cheque, ripped it out and thrust it into Flora’s hand. She glanced down and saw the cheque was for five million pounds.

Sophie moved swiftly across the room and placed herself in front of Flora, blocking Cecelia’s view of her. ‘How dare you speak to Flora like that! Sam, rightly so, worships the ground Flora walks on. She is kind, loving and beautiful inside and out. You should be thanking your lucky stars that Sam has someone like her in his life. Do you really think that Flora would marry Sam if she didn’t love him? Why on earth would either of us marry into this family, knowing it meant we had to spend time with you?’ Sophie raised her hand and poked Cecelia in the shoulder to emphasise her point. Then she grabbed her mother-in-law’s arm and marched her towards the door. ‘Now get out of here, you old bat. Go back downstairs, take your seat and use those incredible acting skills of yours to make Sam think you are the happiest you have ever been. You will not spoil this day for Flora.’ She pushed Cecelia again, so hard that the older woman stumbled out into the hallway.

Cecelia looked at them both, ashen-faced and shaking with rage. ‘Well, I–’

‘Get out!’ shouted Sophie. ‘Leave now and we will never speak of this again. I don’t think your precious son would like to hear that you tried to pay off his bride-to-be.’

Cecelia