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She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 6
Archie’s POVA sudden ache bloomed in my chest—sharp, tight, like something was slipping through my fingers and I couldn’t stop it.And then Betty’s sugary voice cut into my thoughts.“What are you thinking about, Archie?” she purred.We were in the bridal lounge, tucked away in one of the powder rooms reserved for the bride and groom. The wedding was minutes away, and she was glowing, content. I was… not.“Nothing,” I lied, grabbing my phone. “Just need to make a call.”I stepped out before she could follow.I hadn’t heard from Sabrina. I figured she was still pissed—my mother had publicly announced my marriage to Betty, even though I’d planned to tell her myself. What she didn’t know—what no one knew—was that this wedding was for show. A move. A game piece.But then, just as I unlocked my phone, her message appeared.“Hope you enjoy your wedding today. Don’t bother checking in. We’ll be no longer your worries.”What the hell?Enjoy your wedding? We’ll be no longer your worries?A c
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Archie’s POVBy the time I reached the airport, drenched in sweat, the news hit me like a punch to the ribs.The flight to Las Vegas had taken off early.I’d missed them.Fuck.I stood in the middle of the terminal, scanning the crowd, hoping—no, begging—for a miracle. Some sign of her. A familiar dress. A little girl’s laughter.But the terminal was empty.Sabrina was gone, back to Las Vegas. Back to the world she came from. Back to her home.How could she?My sadness quickly twisted into something hotter. Sharper. Anger burned through me, wild and irrational.How could she just leave me? Hasn’t she promised— promised —to always stay by my side?Then came the denial. This wasn’t real. Sabrina hadn’t left me. She was just going home for the holidays. Just needed space. That was all.Except… in all the years we were together, she never once left me alone. Never without a word.And now? I had lost contact with her.…I hailed a cab, still breathless, my brain spinning.“Where to, sir?” t
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Archie’s POVI reread her final message—cold, measured, final.“Hope you enjoy your wedding. Don’t bother checking in. We’ll be no longer your worries.”It pissed me off now. Not my worries? I slammed the phone on the desk, jaw clenched.Why couldn’t she see what kind of hell I’ve been stuck in?I didn’t think. I just typed.“Are you out of your damn mind, Sabrina? Flying home without a word? That’s real mature.”“You think you can just go back to your old life like none of this ever happened? You gave birth to my daughter—our daughter. You don’t get to just bail.”“If you come back, I won’t be this mad, alright? Couples fight. We can work this out.”“Relax. I didn’t marry Betty. It was all for show. I told you—you were always going to be my only Mrs. Valez.”And I hit send.…I waited.A whole day and a whole damn night.Nothing. No call. No message. No sign she was still on the other end.I’d called her so many times I lost count. The ringing became the only background noise in my o
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 9
Sabrina’s POVOur flight left earlier than scheduled. A small blessing, really.The sooner we got out of New York, the better.By the time we landed in Las Vegas, the city lights had already begun to shimmer in that familiar, dizzying way—neon promises stretching across the desert.I booked a hotel since Elly and I still had another flight tomorrow. Las Vegas was never our destination.Elly and I climbed into the back of a cab, the driver humming to himself while some gossip segment crackled through the radio.“Can you believe Archie Valez ran out of his own Christmas wedding?”“No way.”“I’m serious. Left the bride at the altar. She’s pregnant, too.”“Betty Valez, right? His aunt? Well, former aunt. Married to his uncle back in the day.”“Yup. And apparently, the Valez family wanted to keep things in the bloodline. Word is, Betty’s carrying a boy.”“So why’d he ditch her?”“My source says he ran off to chase his ex-girlfriend—some girl named Sabrina Marcellus.”“Sabrina who?”“You hav
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Sabrina’s POVWhen we touched down, Ava was already waiting on the tarmac—smiling like she had when we were kids sneaking into our mother’s office.“Oh, I missed you, honey,” she breathed, pulling me into her arms. Her hug was strong, familiar, grounding. Then she scooped Elly up, peppering kisses across her cheeks.“And Elly! Did you miss Aunt Ava?”“I missed you!” Elly giggled, throwing her arms around Ava’s neck.I smiled. They smiled.And in that moment, everything felt right.…“Miss Sabrina is back!”The manor echoed with excitement as I stepped through the gates. Staff and maids swarmed in with cheers, warm embraces, welcoming me like I had never left.“Come on,” Ava said, lacing her fingers through mine. “Mother had the maid prepare enough food to feed three hundred people. You know how she is.”The Marcellus manor was exactly as I remembered—grand, gilded, but wrapped in warmth. It didn’t need to prove anything. It just was.And when I saw her—our mother—I froze.She looked th
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 11
Sabrina’s POV“You really think a few empty words will erase all those lies, betrayal, and humiliation you dragged me through?” I asked, voice ice.He had the nerve to smile. Smile. And that was when I realized: he still didn’t get it.“You don’t seriously expect me to forgive you and waltz back to New York after that little speech, do you?” I said, my tone sharp as glass.It was almost funny. Almost.“You make me sick, Archie. God, why didn’t I see through you sooner?”His brows drew together, confusion flickering across his face. He wasn’t used to hearing me speak in such a harsh tone before. Not to him at least.“What… what did you just say?” he asked, stunned.I didn’t blink. “I said you’re fucking disgusting, Archie Valez.”His cheeks flushed crimson, his jaw tightening with insulted rage. “I apologized, Sabrina. What more do you want from me? I came all this way—”Of course. Of course Archie Valez thought an apology was enough. That if he showed up looking miserable and muttered
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Sabrina’s POVThe man I loved for six years—the father of my child—broke his promise to marry me, rather getting tangled up with his aunt, giving her a baby and a wedding.He thought I’d stay quiet. That I’d wait, loyal and obedient, while he played house with someone else.What he didn’t know?I was already planning my escape.And in just a few days, I’d be gone—with our daughter. He won't be able to find us ever again.After I tucked Elly back into bed, I pulled out the laptop and booked two tickets to Las Vegas. It was close to Christmas, so nearly everything was sold out. The earliest flight I could get was on Christmas Eve—three days from now. I guessed most people would already be home by then, celebrating the holidays with their families.Christmas had always meant something to me. It was the day I met Archie. Our anniversary.Funny, how fate liked to twist the knife with a smile.Because this year, Christmas would be the day I left him—with our daughter.I was still staring at
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Sabrina’s POVArchie took it, blinking. “You’re… not mad?”He sounded confused. Like the absence of my rage meant something was wrong.“No reason to be mad,” I said, voice smooth as silk. “You’re just doing what you think you’re supposed to.”He smiled like that meant something. “Thank you for understanding, babe.”The door shut behind him.And just like that, I was alone again. In the same house. On the same couch. But I wasn’t the same woman.Three more days.Then I’d be gone for good.I hope you’re happy, Archie. I really do.Because Betty? She’s all yours now. Just like you always wanted.…Archie didn’t come back that night.I’d told myself he wouldn’t, that I knew better by now. But knowing didn’t stop the ache. There was still a small, stubborn part of me that held out hope. And when it was crushed—as it always was—I didn’t let myself fall apart this time. I had more important things to do than mourn a man who’d stopped choosing me a long time ago.So, I got up early and made
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She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 11
Sabrina’s POV“You really think a few empty words will erase all those lies, betrayal, and humiliation you dragged me through?” I asked, voice ice.He had the nerve to smile. Smile. And that was when I realized: he still didn’t get it.“You don’t seriously expect me to forgive you and waltz back to New York after that little speech, do you?” I said, my tone sharp as glass.It was almost funny. Almost.“You make me sick, Archie. God, why didn’t I see through you sooner?”His brows drew together, confusion flickering across his face. He wasn’t used to hearing me speak in such a harsh tone before. Not to him at least.“What… what did you just say?” he asked, stunned.I didn’t blink. “I said you’re fucking disgusting, Archie Valez.”His cheeks flushed crimson, his jaw tightening with insulted rage. “I apologized, Sabrina. What more do you want from me? I came all this way—”Of course. Of course Archie Valez thought an apology was enough. That if he showed up looking miserable and muttered
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Sabrina’s POVWhen we touched down, Ava was already waiting on the tarmac—smiling like she had when we were kids sneaking into our mother’s office.“Oh, I missed you, honey,” she breathed, pulling me into her arms. Her hug was strong, familiar, grounding. Then she scooped Elly up, peppering kisses across her cheeks.“And Elly! Did you miss Aunt Ava?”“I missed you!” Elly giggled, throwing her arms around Ava’s neck.I smiled. They smiled.And in that moment, everything felt right.…“Miss Sabrina is back!”The manor echoed with excitement as I stepped through the gates. Staff and maids swarmed in with cheers, warm embraces, welcoming me like I had never left.“Come on,” Ava said, lacing her fingers through mine. “Mother had the maid prepare enough food to feed three hundred people. You know how she is.”The Marcellus manor was exactly as I remembered—grand, gilded, but wrapped in warmth. It didn’t need to prove anything. It just was.And when I saw her—our mother—I froze.She looked th
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 9
Sabrina’s POVOur flight left earlier than scheduled. A small blessing, really.The sooner we got out of New York, the better.By the time we landed in Las Vegas, the city lights had already begun to shimmer in that familiar, dizzying way—neon promises stretching across the desert.I booked a hotel since Elly and I still had another flight tomorrow. Las Vegas was never our destination.Elly and I climbed into the back of a cab, the driver humming to himself while some gossip segment crackled through the radio.“Can you believe Archie Valez ran out of his own Christmas wedding?”“No way.”“I’m serious. Left the bride at the altar. She’s pregnant, too.”“Betty Valez, right? His aunt? Well, former aunt. Married to his uncle back in the day.”“Yup. And apparently, the Valez family wanted to keep things in the bloodline. Word is, Betty’s carrying a boy.”“So why’d he ditch her?”“My source says he ran off to chase his ex-girlfriend—some girl named Sabrina Marcellus.”“Sabrina who?”“You hav
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 8
Archie’s POVI reread her final message—cold, measured, final.“Hope you enjoy your wedding. Don’t bother checking in. We’ll be no longer your worries.”It pissed me off now. Not my worries? I slammed the phone on the desk, jaw clenched.Why couldn’t she see what kind of hell I’ve been stuck in?I didn’t think. I just typed.“Are you out of your damn mind, Sabrina? Flying home without a word? That’s real mature.”“You think you can just go back to your old life like none of this ever happened? You gave birth to my daughter—our daughter. You don’t get to just bail.”“If you come back, I won’t be this mad, alright? Couples fight. We can work this out.”“Relax. I didn’t marry Betty. It was all for show. I told you—you were always going to be my only Mrs. Valez.”And I hit send.…I waited.A whole day and a whole damn night.Nothing. No call. No message. No sign she was still on the other end.I’d called her so many times I lost count. The ringing became the only background noise in my o
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 7
Archie’s POVBy the time I reached the airport, drenched in sweat, the news hit me like a punch to the ribs.The flight to Las Vegas had taken off early.I’d missed them.Fuck.I stood in the middle of the terminal, scanning the crowd, hoping—no, begging—for a miracle. Some sign of her. A familiar dress. A little girl’s laughter.But the terminal was empty.Sabrina was gone, back to Las Vegas. Back to the world she came from. Back to her home.How could she?My sadness quickly twisted into something hotter. Sharper. Anger burned through me, wild and irrational.How could she just leave me? Hasn’t she promised— promised —to always stay by my side?Then came the denial. This wasn’t real. Sabrina hadn’t left me. She was just going home for the holidays. Just needed space. That was all.Except… in all the years we were together, she never once left me alone. Never without a word.And now? I had lost contact with her.…I hailed a cab, still breathless, my brain spinning.“Where to, sir?” t
She Doesn’t Beg, She Destroys 6
Archie’s POVA sudden ache bloomed in my chest—sharp, tight, like something was slipping through my fingers and I couldn’t stop it.And then Betty’s sugary voice cut into my thoughts.“What are you thinking about, Archie?” she purred.We were in the bridal lounge, tucked away in one of the powder rooms reserved for the bride and groom. The wedding was minutes away, and she was glowing, content. I was… not.“Nothing,” I lied, grabbing my phone. “Just need to make a call.”I stepped out before she could follow.I hadn’t heard from Sabrina. I figured she was still pissed—my mother had publicly announced my marriage to Betty, even though I’d planned to tell her myself. What she didn’t know—what no one knew—was that this wedding was for show. A move. A game piece.But then, just as I unlocked my phone, her message appeared.“Hope you enjoy your wedding today. Don’t bother checking in. We’ll be no longer your worries.”What the hell?Enjoy your wedding? We’ll be no longer your worries?A c
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Sabrina’s POVElly rushed to my side, panic all over her face. “Are you hurt, Mommy?”I managed a smile and shook my head. “No, sweetheart. Mommy’s okay. Let’s get out of here.”I scooped her into my arms and turned for the gates.But we didn’t make it far.A cluster of guards moved in, blocking our way like a wall of stone. One stepped forward, voice cold. “Who said you could leave after that stunt?”And then she appeared—Sally—striding out like a queen addressing her court, “Throw this crazy woman out like the trash she is. Don’t let her walk out of here.”I hugged Elly tighter. “Don’t you dare touch her!”Luckily they didn’t come for her. They came for me.Five guards. Their hands gripped like iron, forcing me to the ground. I heard Elly scream, felt her little hands trying to pull them away. But she was no match for them.My cheek scraped the stone as one of the guards shoved his boot between my shoulders, pinning me down. The pressure made my ribs scream.And still—my only thought
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Sabrina’s POVElly didn’t hesitate. The moment she saw him, she ran forward, her arms stretched wide. “Daddy! Daddy! Look at my dress!”My heart clenched.But Archie’s face drained of color. He looked like he’d seen a ghost.He moved quickly, reaching for her, eyes darting around the room. “Elly? Who brought you here? Where’s your mother?”He wasn’t happy to see her, wasn’t even surprised.He was panicked.And in that moment, the truth hit me like a slap.That message… it wasn’t from Archie.He hadn’t remembered the promise or prepared anything for Elly.Whispers began floating in the air, sharp as broken glass.“Who is that rude little girl? Calling a man she doesn’t know her daddy?”“Isn’t Archie’s child still in Betty’s belly?”“I thought Archie never married. Where’d this kid even come from?”“Probably just some desperate woman trying to pawn her kid off on him for money.”“Look at her. She looks like the type.”Archie’s face flushed a dark red—embarrassed, angry, or both. He stepp
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Sabrina’s POVI turned and looked at Archie. “Is that what you want as well?”The man who had once knelt beside my hospital bed, a velvet box in his hand, shaking with nerves and joy.“I know it’s not a ring,” he’d said, voice thick with emotion. “But I want you to have it. You’ll be my one and only, Sabrina. My Mrs. Valez.”We were happy then, foolishly and stupidly.After Elly, Sally had tried to take it back. But Archie stood his ground back then. Said it belonged to me. The mother of his child.And now? Now he just looked at the floor.“Sabrina,” he murmured, not meeting my eyes, “why don’t you give it to Betty? I’ll buy you another one…”That was all I needed to hear.“You can have it.”I unclasped the necklace, my fingers trembling only slightly. I hadn’t taken it off in years. It had become part of me.And now, with its absence, came something I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.Freedom.I placed it on the table without a word.Then, in a room full of Valez and their judgmental
