Awakened Behind Bars: The Golden Finger

Chapter 7: Don't do this!

“If you try anything funny today, you leave this place in a coffin,” Mr. Vixen said coldly to Desmond who sat stiffly on the seat with his hands clenched on his thighs. It was his wedding day, yet it felt more like the day of his execution.

He stood and moved to sit in front of the mirror. He didn’t know what he was supposed to feel anymore. For the past week, they had tortured him in ways that left no visible marks but endless pain. His back still hurt. His knee throbbed. And yet they had forced him into a singlet, then a shirt, and then a suit on top of it all, even though the layers only made the pain worse.

The suit wasn’t even his size. The sleeves stopped just before his wrists. There were no cufflinks, wrist watches. Not even perfume. Everything about him looked wrong. They had done it on purpose.

Mr. Vixen glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time. He better be out there.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Desmond was left alone in the room. Moments later, the door opened again and one of the huge men, Shambu, walked in.

“Come on,” Shambu said. “Get out of there now.”

Desmond looked up at him. “But it’s not time for the wedding,” he said carefully. “I just need to make a call. I need to speak to the nurse.”

Shambu shot him a death glare. Desmond just stood there. He knew there was no way these people would let him leave. Desmond knew that if things continued the way they were, his sister would literally die. The nurse had said the hospital was already talking about discharging her because no one was coming for her and no payment was being made.

The thought alone made his heart ache. “Please… just let me,” he said weakly.

“You’re going nowhere,” Shambu replied flatly.

Just then, Cherry walked in.

The contrast between them was too obvious to ignore. While Desmond looked exhausted, and broken, Cherry looked like royalty. Her wedding gown was exquisite, and perfectly fitted, shimmering with sparkles and fine thread. Her hair was styled flawlessly, and her perfume filled the room with a soft, expensive scent.

Desmond looked at her with desperation in his eyes. “Cherry, please,” he said. “I need to talk to you.”

Shambu immediately stepped forward. “You’re not married yet. You have no right to speak to the Miss.”

“Please,” Desmond insisted, his voice shaking. “It’s important. Just listen to me.”

He felt that maybe he could get through to her. Even though Cherry was the reason his life had fallen apart, he still hoped that as a woman, she might have a softer heart and understand his pain.

To his surprise, Cherry didn’t argue.

She turned to Shambu. “Leave us. Let him speak.”

“As you wish, Miss,” Shambu said, bowing slightly before walking out.

Cherry crossed her arms over her chest. “And what is it you’d like to discuss with me, you wretch?”

Desmond ignored the insult. “Please, Cherry,” he said quickly. “A week ago, I got a call from a nurse. She said my sister is actually alive. She’s in Carter City. She told me to come and get her.”

Cherry listened without interrupting.

“If I don’t go to her,” Desmond continued, his voice cracking, “they’ll kick her out of the hospital. She might die. She’s only fifteen. She’s the only family I have left. Please.”

Cherry paused.V“Wow,” she said softly. “That’s so sad. You must really be going through a lot.”

Then she burst into laughter. “Did you really think talking to me about it would make things better?”

The next thing Cherry did was reach behind herself and unzip her dress. Desmond’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?” he asked, suddenly feeling uneasy.

Cherry smirked as the zipper slid down. The heavy wedding gown pooled at her feet until she stood in only her undergarments. Then she reached into her bra and pulled out a small knife. “Aren’t you wondering why I agreed to talk to you in the first place?” she asked calmly.

Desmond frowned, his brows furrowing. “Did you really think I wanted to exchange words with you?” she continued, shaking her head. “Hell no.”

His eyes dropped to her skin, and he stiffened. There were fresh bruises and marks already scattered across her arms and shoulders. “How did you… what are those?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, these?” Cherry said lightly, turning her arm so he could see better. “This was a little something I planned hours ago. A special gift for you, Desmond.”

“I don’t understand,” he said.

“You will,” she replied. “These marks are your ticket out. You didn’t want this marriage, right?” She scoffed. “Well, now you have a way out.”

Before he could react, she stretched out her arm and dragged the knife across the middle of it. She gasped sharply. “Gosh, that hurts,” she hissed. “But I’m sure you'll hurt a lot more.”

“Cherry, stop!” Desmond moved forward quickly. “Don’t do this!”

He reached for the knife in panic, and managed to grab it from her hand. “Have you gone insane?” he snapped. “Why would you intentionally hurt yourself? What is wrong with you?”

“Oh, yes,” Cherry said coolly. “I am insane. I’d rather do this than be tied to someone like you.” She glanced at her bleeding arm. “Marrying you would hurt far more.”

“Then don’t marry me!” Desmond said desperately. “I don’t want this marriage either. If you hadn’t accused me, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “I know your type. You want this family, money, and name. But none of that is going to happen.”

She reached for the knife again, but Desmond lifted his arm high. Being taller, she couldn’t reach it. Cherry paused, then smirked.

She stepped back, slowly, until her back met the wall. She stared at it for a brief moment.

“Cherry…what are you doing?” Desmond asked gingerly.

The next second, she slammed her head against the wall. Desmond froze as blood trickled down her forehead as she lifted her head and looked straight at him. Then she turned and rushed out of the room.

“Cherry. Wait!” Desmond shouted, running after her.

“Cherry, stop!” he shouted, his footsteps pounding behind her.

She reached the stairs and rushed down them, lifting her dress as she went. Desmond followed despite the sharp pain spreading through his back. By the time they reached the last step, Cherry suddenly screamed. “Mom! Dad! Everyone!”

Her voice echoed through the hall.

She burst into loud sobs, drawing instant attention. People turned, gasping in shock as they did. Before anyone could react, Cherry dropped to the ground, her body going limp.

“Cherry!” her father shouted, rushing forward.

“Oh my goodness. What is this? What happened to you?” her mother cried as she knelt beside her, shaking with panic.

Cherry stirred weakly, her face pale. “Cherry… sweetheart…” her mother whispered.

“She…she needs water!” Sophie

yelled. “Get some water quickly.”

Cherry coughed softly, her lashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. “He… he…” she struggled to speak. Her trembling finger lifted, pointing shakily at Desmond. “He said he wanted to talk to me,” Cherry cried weakly. “I listened… and then he started threatening me. He told me to stop the wedding.”

Her sobs grew louder. “When I refused, he tried to force himself on me,” she continued, shaking her head. “I tried to run away…”

She broke down completely.

“And then… then he tried to kill me, Dad.”