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Lucas' POV

I took out my gun from my duffle bag and checked for bullets. I saw it was fully loaded and fixed the gun between the waistline of my pants and my back. I covered it up with my shirt and grabbed my jacket then turned toward the door. I paused to take deep breaths.

I was scared and worried and I was feeling like I was going to go crazy. I was so mad at myself for leaving Jackie alone when I knew Maddy was around. Now, she was with a crazy bitch who was probably going to hurt her. Whatever I had to do, I had to act smart and not put Jackie in danger.

I exhaled and opened the door then walked out of the room where I met Barry leaning against the wall across me.

"Ready to go?" They asked and I nodded.

"Yes. Have you called the police?" I asked.

"Remember the Redside police department is on their payroll, I don't think it's going to be something they'll like to hear," Barry said, pushing themselves off the wall.

"You're right. They won't care about what we say," I said and gritted my teeth. "Let's go."

Barry nodded and walked ahead of me. I stayed back, saying a quick prayer. I had to save Jackie no matter what. I had to save her and our baby. I needed us to be together until the end and I wasn't about to allow Maddy to ruin it for me.

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Barry drove to a stop in front of the church. The bright light from the small building lit up the tree-filled place. There were barely any houses close by, giving the environment a deserted feeling. As I sat in the car, my heart was pounding, and worry doubled in me.

"Everything is going to be okay. I'm scared too, Lucas. Maddy has Axel and I love him so much. Losing him would kill me," Barry said, their voice heavy with emotions.

I understand them, I was feeling the same way as I didn't want to lose Jackie because of a woman who did not understand simple logic.

"Are you ready?" Barry asked and I nodded.

I became conscious of the gun behind me when I saw a tall and muscular man walk out of the church. He was staring at us and motioned with his fingers that we come forward. I saw a gun in his hand, resting by his side and I knew things would get bloody if we weren't careful.

"Let's go," Barry said and we simultaneously got out of the car.

I adjusted my shirt and slowly made my way toward the frowning man. Once we got to him, he pushed me in and did the same to Barry. I stumbled a little and continued to walk when another man pointed a gun at me from behind the door. I raised my hand and walked into the church.

I dropped my hands the moment I saw Jackie pressed up against Maddy's front. Maddy's arm was around her shoulder chest and a gun was pointed at Jackie's temple. I have never felt a fear so great as the one in me at that moment.

"Jackie?!" I called out and took a step forward but Maddy pointed the gun at me.

"Make one move and I'll kill her!" She yelled and pointed the gun back at her. "Step back!"

I gulped, sweating profusely. I made eye contact with Jackie. She was looking weak with some locks of her hair sticking to her face due to sweat. My eyes went to her baby bump and I got angry. She didn't deserve to be in this position.

"Search them!" Maddy ordered and I clenched my hands.

"Let her go," I said while I was being searched. When the man felt my gun, I stiffened and allowed him to take it out. I eyed the gun before he threw it aside.

The other man searched Barry and found a gun, which he held then pushed Barry forward. I spotted Axel sitting on the floor with his back resting against the side of a bench. He smiled at me and I felt my heart break at his state.

I frowned and looked back at Maddy, who was looking scared with a shaky hand that held the gun.

"Please, Maddy. We don't have to have things this way. Let Jackie go and we'll all pretend like nothing happened," I pleaded and she scoffed.

"She's not going anywhere! Over my dead body would I let everything slide so easily!" She said at the top of her voice. "I finally have the opportunity to have you as mine and I will make use of it! I love you, Lucas and today, my happiness begins!"

"But I don't love you! The only woman I've ever fallen in love with is who you are holding! Stop this madness!" I yelled and Maddy hit Jackie in the face with the butt of the gun. "No!"

Jackie groaned in pain with her eyes shut tight. The spot started to redden and when she opened her eyes, she smiled weakly at me. I had to do something about this situation at all costs. I can't bear the sight of her getting hurt.

"Now, listen," Maddy said. "If you want everything to go according to the way you want it, she'll be fine. But if you want to be the superman to her Louis Lane, she will first lose the baby and you will watch her cry and bleed!"

I flinched at her voice and my heart, it felt like it was sliced into half by the weight of her threats. I knew she could do much but I didn't want to do want she wanted. I was helpless.

"I have wanted you for so many years. I watched you for years, becoming someone handsome, hardworking and so perfect. I fell in love with you and wanted you. I hated every girl you fucked and every bimbo that came close to you! I made sure so many girls left Redside because I didn't want any competition. I wanted you all to myself. I was glad the day we made love."

I grimaced at her use of words. I could barely remember the sex we had. Most of all, I could not believe that I was staring at a real-life crazy person.

"I fell deeper for you!" She wrapped her arm around Jackie's neck, intensifying my worries. "I did everything for me, you, and us! Yet this slimy lowlife came and took you away. She was so hard to get rid of! I thought you would forget about her just like your other bitches but you didn't! Instead, you went after her, falling into her trap! I got fed up!"

"Maddy, I—"

"No! Let me speak! I've been silent all along and no one will shut me up anymore. This is my chance to have everything I ever wanted! I've waited for this moment! I didn't want things to be this way but you forced me. She forced me to be the monster that I am now. So, Lucas Hamilton. Will you marry me?!" Maddy demanded, her tempo rising.

I was weak to my bones at her request. I stared at Jackie who had tears in her eyes and then at Maddy whose eyes were red in rage.

"You don't have any time to think because if you don't pick up that pen and sign the marriage contract, I will make sure my men do horrible things to her until she feels nothing," Maddy threatened and I swallowed.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. I shut my eyes, focusing on the beating of my heart. I had no choice. I couldn't do anything stupid right now because in a second, Jackie could be shot and it would be my fault.

I opened my eyes and looked around for the contract. It was on a stool in front of the altar. I looked back at Jackie and smiled. Her eyes became wide in realization and she started to cry softly, shaking her head. I could barely see when tears filled my eyes. I took a deep breath and turned my body toward the direction of the altar then slowly made my way to it.

Once I stopped before the stool, I stared at the contract with angry eyes. Cursing the day my father and her father agreed to this. It was painful how my father's brother hated me all my life and yet used me for more money. I was useless to him yet he found value in my existence.

My throat felt tight and dry as I bent down and picked up the document alongside the pen that had been resting on it. I held the pen perfectly in my hand and looked up when Maddy stood beside me. I stared into her eyes, hoping she could see how much I hated her in my eyes.

"Tonight, we will be married. You don't have to worry about her anymore. We'll just pretend she doesn't exist. Besides, I'm sure you'll learn to move on," Maddy said in a soft voice.

I looked away from the psychopath and saw Jackie held by one of the thugs. She was struggling in his hold with tears in her eyes. I looked away and signed on the paper.

Maddy squealed and took it from me. She stared at the document before looking up at me, smiling cheekily.

"Now, kiss the bride," Maddy ordered, face straight all of a sudden.

"W-what?" I stuttered, feeling confused.

"Kiss me. We are in a church and this is our marriage. So, kiss me, Lucas."

I immediately made eye contact with Jackie who bowed her head in sadness. I shut my eyes and a tear rolled down my cheek. I flinched when I felt warm hands on my cheeks, which also wiped away my tears. I opened my eyes and snarled at the sight of Maddy.

"Kiss me and we end this," she ordered in a deeper tone and I hesitantly leaned down.

I hated this woman with every fiber of my being. I wish nothing but the worst for her and once I kiss her, she will meet her doom and Karma will be the one to give it.

"Alright," I said and pressed my lips against hers.