THE MAN THEY TRIED TO ERASE

4

The late afternoon sun slanted across the large window of Ruth’s chamber. Thin ivory curtains stirred softly in the breeze. Finn sat in the plush chair beside the bed, straightening the tie Ruth had just given him. Across from him, Ruth stood in front of the mirror; her blue gown clung to her with effortless elegance, and that mischievous smile of hers never left her face.

“That tie suits you perfectly,” Ruth said, glancing over before sweeping a light stroke of lipstick across her lips. “Now you actually look like the husband of an honorable woman.”

Finn raised an eyebrow, half-mocking. “Husband? We haven’t even tied the knot yet.”

Ruth turned and approached him. She placed her fingers under his chin and tipped his face up to meet her eyes. “Tomorrow, Finn. Tomorrow it’s official. I don’t like to delay what can make me happy.”

Finn laughed softly, brushing Ruth’s hand away gently. “You never fool around, do you? You even had the lawyer come tonight.”

“I’m serious about you.” Ruth’s smile softened, then she walked to the table and opened a box of luxurious invitations. She took out one golden card—blank. “This one’s empty. You may deliver it to anyone you think should know about our wedding.”

Finn studied the card a long moment before reaching out to take it. “I already know who I’m giving it to.”

Ruth leaned in, curiosity bright in her eyes. “Someone from your past?”

Finn held his breath for a second, then let a faint smile cross his lips. “You could say that. No need for you to know the details. Just let me handle this small thing.”

Ruth eyed him with secrets on her face, as if to ask more, but she only nodded. “Alright. But don’t be long. I want you back before nightfall. There are many things I want to talk about… about our future.”

Finn stood, straightening the suit Ruth had bought him. “Don’t worry, Ruth. I’ll be back on time. Besides, who would dare refuse an invitation from Ruth Callahan?”

Ruth laughed and leaned in to kiss his cheek briefly. “Go. And make sure they know how lucky I am… to have you.”

“Of course, Honey.”

Finn kissed Ruth’s mouth, then hurried to the front door where a luxury car waited.

He passed the bodyguard, who watched him with a sour look.

“Sharp eyes, Henry — you look like an eagle,” Finn called.

Henry didn’t answer. He just watched Finn get into the car, which pulled away from the estate.

Thirty minutes later the car stopped in front of a grand colonial house. Wide grounds, tall gates, and the family nameplate reading “Walton” stood proudly at the entrance.

Finn stepped out slowly, the golden invitation clutched tight in his hand. His breath felt heavy—not from nerves, but from the bitter memories surfacing.

This house had been the beginning of everything: the woman he’d loved, the humiliation, the wound he still carried.

Before Finn could knock, the great door swung open. Christy—Daniella’s mother—stood in the doorway, eyes scanning him up and down with contempt. Her face immediately twisted at the sight of his suit.

“Oh… look who’s come,” Christy’s voice sliced through the air. “Street rat who ruined our family’s name. Finn the lunatic is out of the asylum!”

Finn smiled thinly, holding the burning anger inside. “Good afternoon, Christy. I’m not here to fight. I only came to deliver an invitation.”

Christy narrowed her eyes and let out a short, derisive laugh. “An invitation? And who are you now, Finn? A flyer seller? Or do you want our pity so you can beg for spare change?”

Before Finn could respond, the sound of heels announced Daniella’s arrival. She stepped out in an expensive dress, flawless makeup, followed by Hans—the tall man whose arrogant grin had always set Finn’s blood boiling.

“Oh my God…” Daniella laughed when she saw him. “I thought you’d starved to death in the asylum. You can still stand. Amazing. Truly, you’re insane—no wonder you belonged there.”

Hans sneered, placing his hand possessively on Daniella’s hip. “He’s just fishing for sympathy again. You know Finn—always the attention seeker.”

Finn clenched his hands behind his back, keeping his face calm. “I didn’t come to argue. I just want you to read this.” He set the golden invitation down on a small table by the entrance.

Daniella glanced at it and scoffed. “Oh wow, look—his own wedding card. Is this an invite to a cheap noodle shop?”

Christy stepped forward, took the card, and unfolded it. The laughter died on her lips as her eyes fell on the gilded lettering. She read, then read again, as if to make sure she hadn’t misread it.

“Ruth Callahan?” she whispered, disbelief thick in her tone.

Daniella snatched the invitation from her mother’s hands. Her eyes widened; her face went pale. “This is a joke, right?”

Hans read over her shoulder. His smug grin faded, replaced by genuine surprise. “Dammit… Ruth Callahan? The investor who’s always rejected your family’s offers?”

Finn allowed a crooked smile. “Tomorrow… I marry her. I thought it only fair that my ex-wife and family know.”

Daniella covered her mouth with her hand, staring at him as if she couldn’t process it. “No… no, this can’t be. Ruth… she could never choose you! You were even institutionalized!”

Panic laced her voice. Christy shot a warning look at her daughter. “Daniella! Enough!”

Finn stepped forward coolly, eyes hard and dripping with mockery. “Ah, so the truth finally comes out. You’re the one who put me there, aren’t you? Everyone knows I’m not crazy. You just wanted me gone because you were caught with Hans.”

Hans took a half-step toward Finn, jaw tight. “Watch your mouth, Finn. You have no proof.”

Finn laughed low and cutting. “Proof? The entire town has whispered about you two for years. I was just too foolish—too trusting of Daniella. I thought love could beat everything. Turns out what I was fighting was lies and contempt.”

Daniella’s teeth clenched; tears of fury sparkled at the corners of her eyes. “You deserved it! You were never enough—never rich enough, strong enough, anything! I just needed a reason to get rid of you, and your stupid outburst gave it to me!”

Finn’s smile turned ice-cold. He glanced at Hans. “And now you stand beside her, Hans—the bitter reward of betrayal. But look—here I stand, holding the invitation to my own wedding with Ruth Callahan, while you only watch from the outside.”

Christy, who had held back her emotions, finally exploded. “Do you think marrying Ruth will redeem you? You’re still a lunatic! You’ll never be worthy of our family. You will never be Daniella.”

Finn regarded her for a long second, then bowed his head slightly. “Worthy? I don’t need to be equal to you. Starting tomorrow… I’ll be standing far above you.”

A heavy silence pressed into the room. Daniella gasped; Hans fell silent; Christy’s face froze. Finn turned and walked away without looking back.

The golden invitation lay on the table, gleaming under the chandelier—a painful reminder that the man they’d derided now held the key to something they’d never reach.

Finn climbed back into the car and shut the door calmly. A cold smile spread across his lips. “Tomorrow, Daniella… you’ll see me at the altar. Then you’ll realize all your games have finally collapsed.”

The car pulled away, leaving the house behind and a taste of victory warming Finn’s chest.