Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chuck had met Suzan a handful of times.

Aside from being younger, he honestly couldn't see any redeeming qualities in her.

Especially with all that tech on display-she dressed like a walking gadget store, and it was honestly off-putting.

The first time Chuck had met Suzan, he'd sensed something calculating about her. She was clever, maybe a little too clever for her own good.

She was nothing compared to Effie. Not even in the same league.

And yet, somehow, the two were half-sisters-same father, different mothers.

What really disgusted Chuck was that Suzan had known perfectly well that Mitchell was her sister's fiancé, and still she'd gone after him. There was no shame in her game, and Chuck found it despicable.

But Mitchell seemed utterly bewitched by her. He thought Suzan was beautiful and young; even her little tantrums and moods struck him as endearing.

Mitchell, for his part, was reveling in the whole thing.

It was a classic case of the onlooker seeing clearly while the person involved was hopelessly blind.

Chuck could see it plain as day: Mitchell was completely infatuated, unable to see the situation for what it was.

Once he and Effie really split up, that's when Mitchell would realize what a mistake he'd made. Regret would come, sure as day.

After a long silence, Mitchell let out a scornful laugh. "Impossible. Suzan's sweet and thoughtful, and she makes the first move. Effie? She's as prim as a nun-so uptight it makes me sick."

Chuck kept his mouth shut. He knew arguing would be pointless.

Sooner or later, Mitchell would have to learn his lesson the hard way.

Right now, Mitchell was completely out of his mind, lost to all reason.

Mitchell was used to thinking of himself as special, someone the world revolved

around. Deep down, he'd always looked down on Effie.

He figured Effie needed him, couldn't get by without him.

So when Effie finally made a clean break, Mitchell was furious.

The next day, he wired the money over to her.

When Effie saw the bank notification, she froze. This was her "compensation" for all those lost years.

She stared at the string of numbers on her phone, a storm of emotions swirling inside her.

It was finally done.

A clean break. Time to start over.

Effie started updating her résumé, ready to send out applications.

She was also waiting for the results of the competition she'd entered. The first round results would be out soon.

With more free time than she'd had in ages, Effie decided to go grocery shopping and treat herself to a proper homemade dinner for once.noveldrama

She'd been so busy lately, she'd barely had time to eat, let alone cook.

She threw on some comfortable clothes and headed out the door.

The big supermarket was only a few blocks away, so she decided to walk.

A gentle breeze made the stroll pleasant, and for the first time in a while, Effie actually felt at ease.

Just as she reached the crosswalk across from the supermarket, an old, battered van suddenly sped toward her.

Effie startled, barely registering what was happening before the van screeched to a halt. Two masked men jumped out, moving fast. One clamped a cloth over her mouth, and in a matter of seconds, they dragged her into the van.

The vehicle tore off down the street.

Panic hit Effie like a wave. She fought back with everything she had, but the odds were hopelessly stacked against her.

The chemical fumes from the cloth seeped into her lungs. Her vision blurred, her limbs turned to lead, and she collapsed, helpless.

Just before darkness claimed her, one thought flashed through Effie's mind- Lyman.

Would he know something had happened to her?

If he did...would he come for her?

The world went black.

The van sped out of the city and finally stopped at an abandoned factory on the outskirts.

The men hauled Effie inside.

A bucket of icy water crashed over her head, jolting her awake.

Effie's mind swam as she slowly came to. Her head throbbed viciously from the ether. She forced her eyes open.

Two masked men stood before her, staring down with cold, unfeeling eyes.