Mystery Bride's Revenge

Trevon brushed back a stray strand of Selina's hair before walking away. As he turned around, the corners of his mouth turned up in a sly grin. He had watched from the shadows how Selina had handled Madelyn, the motor mouth. There was something oddly satisfying about seeing her stand up for herself. Selina was one intriguing lady, that was for sure.

Night descended. Selina heard herself pleading. "No, please. I'm begging you, Dad. I swear I didn't do it... Mom, you've got to believe me! Mom! Manuel, trust me. I didn't lay a finger on Ashley." Then the Harveys shout rang out. "We don't want a wicked girl like you in this house! Better off dead: Get ou

Selina jolted awake, drenched in swear. She was breathing hard, gripping her throat as if feeling a deep, invisible wound. It took a few moments for the panic to subside.

"I can't believe this... A fresh stan, free from that toxic family circus, and I'm still haunted by the same old nightmare, Selina scoffed at herself. Breaking free from the mental scars wouldn't be easy. But at least this time, she saw right through their lies. It was a new dawn for real. As day broke and after sharing a quick breakfast with Trevon, Selina hit the gym. While pumping iron, she pondered her future. Back then, the craved her family's love and attention. Now, free of their grip, perhaps it was time to eye a career path to build something of her own.

Devin came up to her. "Excuse me, Mrs. Brady, the Hudson family sent someone to see you." He had the look of someone who'd rather protect Selina from such visitors Sure, they knew she was Trevon's wife, but their reasons for coming over smelled fishy. Yet, Selina had to face the Hudsons sooner or later.

Devin covertly looked to Trevon for direction, to which Trevon had enigmatically replied, "Try to keep it civil Devin was left guessing who needed the warning more, Selina or the visitors?

Selina tossed her towel into the bin nonchalantly. "Madelyn again?"

"Yes, and there's someone else-Lauren Hudson, Madelyn's mom. She's Mr. Brady's aunt by marriage"

"Do I have to see them?" asked Selina

Devin let out a light sigh. "No rule says you must, but as Mr. Brady's better half...sooner or later, they're your circus."

Fine, let them in."

Lauren and Madelyn made their entrance.

"Didn't see Trevon pulling a wife out of the hat. I gotta lay eyes on the one who made the cut. Any girl joining the Brady family has gotta have some Arrious clout"

"Oh, Mom, she looked like she shopped at a yard sale-nothing posh about her. Bet she worked some angles on Trevon, grunted Madelyn

Lauren snapped, tapping Madelyn's forehead. "You think the Beady family would open their doors to just anyone? And Trevon wouldn't waste his time. Zip it, girl. Thevon's your cousin, and you're never going to be with him." Madelyn whined

Lauren and Madelyn had been waiting for over an hour, and there was still no sign of Selima. Lauren, though initially intimidated by Selina's family backstory, was growing impatient. She confronted Devin, asking. "What gives? Why hasn't Trevon's wife showed up yet?" Devin replied politely, "She just finished up at the gym and is showering Wants to look her best for you guys... You know how it goes; some folks like to take their time getting ready."

"There's no excuse for making us wait this long! It's straight-up disrespectful complained Lauren.

"Yeah, Mom, I told you-she's got no class, Madelyn chimed in, 1 complained to Trevon and he kicked me out! He's changed-it's all because of her."

"What's the commotion? In the midst of their grumbling Selina's calm voice filled the room.

Dressed down in a sleek black tank, a sporty jacket, and joggers-all black-with slides, Selina looked effortlessly radiant with her makeup-free face, her long hair loosely pulled back, hands in her pockets, and a relaxed air about her. She looked stunning, her presence lighting up the room even in the simplest outli

Lauren was taken aback at the sight of her. It was clear why Trevon was so taken with her-the girl's beauty was arresting.

"Lauren, have a seat, Selina said with ease, making herself comfortable on the couch. "Sorry that you had to wait

Madelyn blurted out, visibly upset, "You. You did this on purpose! How could it take you an hour without even putting on makeup?" Selina's natural look made Madelyn's two hours spent on her makeup seem excessive. She became even angrier at that thought

1/2 Chapter 16

"I did have some on, but I felt better without it so I took it off, Selina retorted, eyeing Madelyn. "Madelyn, you might want to go easy on the makeup or it'll do a number on your skin. Could barely get it off my hand yesterday after accidentally touching your face. Madelyn was fuming, embarrassed by Selina's frank comment, but Lauren shot her a look to rein it in.

"Thad to see for myself when I heard Trevon had tied the knot. As his aunt, I'm curious," Lauren said. "What's your family from?"

"Selina. I don't have a family anymore-I'm on my own"

Lauren's forced smile wavered "Don't kid around like that...

our full name, and where's your

"No joke. Trevon loves me so much and gives me whatever I want, Selina continued confidently. He'd snag the stars if I asked. We're married and when we're up for it, we're planning the biggest wedding bash you've ever seen. Then, a honeymoon across the globe. Marriage is Lauren? Two people are just brought together by fate like that?

isn't it.

Stunned into silence, Lauren had no response. Trevon, a longtime bachelor free from gossip, now had Selina declaring herself the lady of the house, coming and going as she liked with even Devin treating her with high regard. Selina, indeed, appeared to be the one.

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