A Rescuer?

"It's obviously fake," someone answered. "We've been there for most of Zoey's life. We know the kind of girl she is. If the hotel is his, what's stopping him from saying that Zoey's companies are his too?"

A timid female voice spoke up hesitantly. "But I Googled the shirt he's wearing. It's a very expensive luxury item. Not even Bart has it."

An angry Bartholomew glared at the girl. "It's your first time coming into the city. Like hell you know anything! We came from the same town, and you're taking an outsider's side?"

The girl shrank and kept her mouth shut. Zoey looked away, happy with the result. She grabbed Bartholomew's arm and held it high, showing the gleaming rings around their ring fingers.

She looked at me like I was a defeated man.

"Can you prove that our wedding day is today, Winston? Neither my parents or relatives ever saw you. I'd have arranged a meeting if I wanted to marry you. Besides, I never got the license with you.

"We never took a wedding photo. I never gave you any wedding gifts. You have nothing, but Bart has prepared everything." Zoey leaned on Bartholomew's shoulder, a smug, victorious smile curling her lips.

"Yeah, Winston. You can't just run your mouth."

I had no reply for that, and my silence made everyone think I was in the wrong. Yes, I was stupid enough to ask for no proof but a verbal agreement. I loved her deeply, and I wanted for nothing in life.

And that love for her became the very thing that stabbed me in the back. Everyone was now pointing at me like I was the villain.

"Anything you want to say for yourself, you homewrecker?"

"We can't just let him leave! Let's teach him a lesson!"

Someone yanked my hair and dragged me down to the ground. Bartholomew's dad shot a look at the half-naked greasy man. The guy got the message and bent over. He leered at me as his hand brushed across my abs.

"You shouldn't wreck people's family. I'll teach you how to behave."

I shouted and thrashed as I tried to break away, but my arms and legs were pinned down.

Fear swept through me. I called out Zoey's name loudly, hoping her conscience would make her stop these animals.

Zoey froze, and she was about to stop those people, but Bartholomew pulled her back. "He ruined our wedding and my mood. I want to teach him a lesson."

She was hesitant. "But…"

"It's just a little lesson. You know my town's folks. They won't do anything too harsh. Besides, we're right here. Nothing bad's going to happen."

Zoey stopped talking. Bartholomew wrapped his arms around her, while a dazed Zoey caressed his back as they watched more and more people touching me.

"Let me go! This is molestation! You'll go to prison for this!"

And then someone slapped me hard enough, I saw stars.

"Don't try to lecture us, you slut! We're not molesting you! We're doing God's work!"

And then their filthy words drowned me out. Just when I thought hope was not coming, a voice came from the entrance.

"Apologies for the delay. Something held me—" When the man saw my face, horror crept into his voice. "Stop this right now! What are you doing?"