Harbor of Heartbreak

Chapter 10

I pulled my hand back, the dirt from the struggle staining my palm, and glanced at the suddenly defeated man. With a casual tone, I suggested, "This hospital has an excellent psychiatric department. You should make an appointment."

Alexander flashed me a faint, almost defeated smile. "Alright, I'll do whatever you say."

He believed that, after all these years, he owed me more than he could ever repay. But now, he was determined to make up for every wrong, for every mistake. He'd spend the rest of his life making it right.

But just three days later, Ethan and I had a grand wedding.

When Alexander heard about it, he drove like a madman to the venue. By the time he arrived, the priest had just finished reading our vows. Standing there, in my white wedding gown, I looked at Ethan, beaming, and said those three words that sealed everything: "I do."

"No! Claire! You can't marry him!"

The words hit him like a truck. His chest clenched with a heart-wrenching pain, and his body crumpled to the ground, collapsing on the vibrant red carpet. The composed and cold Alexander Crawford, now kneeling before me, was a far cry from the man who had once been so sure of himself. His voice cracked as he begged.

"Darling, we're not getting divorced. I never wanted a divorce. Please, don't marry him. Don't marry another man…"

I looked down at him with disgust, not bothering to hide it. "Alexander Crawford, for Mr. Crawford's sake, I'll reluctantly forgive you for this rude interruption of my wedding. But Ethan and I are getting married today, and you're not welcome. Please, go back to wherever you came from."

Tears welled up in Alexander's eyes, finally falling in torrents. His voice trembled as he poured out his feelings.

"Claire, I know I was wrong. Please, give me one last chance. I swear I'll change."

"I can't live without you. Since you left, I've thought about you every day. Even in my dreams, I see all the ways you were good to me…"

His voice broke, emotions surging like a tidal wave. He tore open his shirt, exposing the moon tattoo on his chest, the one he had once scorned. He cried out, his eyes full of desperation.

"You're my moon. Darling, I'll do anything. I just beg you not to leave me!"

I couldn't help but laugh, covering my mouth in disbelief at his desperation. His eyes widened in shock.

I looked at him, my expression calm, yet tinged with amusement. "Alexander Crawford, I already have someone who truly loves me, and I love him in return. His name is Ethan Parker. As for you… even if every man on earth were to die, I still wouldn't be with you."

I watched, with a smile, as Ethan slid a 9-carat diamond ring onto my finger. The blood drained from Alexander's face, his body frozen in shock.

As I let Ethan lift me into his arms and carry me toward the limousine outside, my heart soaring with happiness, Alexander did the last thing anyone expected.

He grabbed a silver knife used to cut the wedding cake and, with eyes filled with bloody tears, shouted out to me.

"You're just scared of getting hurt again, but that's okay. I'll show you how much I love you."

With that, he plunged the knife into his chest, his body shaking in agony.

"Look, Claire, my heart, my heart… the heart that's loved you every second, every day…"

His voice broke as he pleaded, desperate and broken. "Please, turn around. Look at my heart one last time. It's all for you…"

I cuddled into Ethan's arms, no longer caring to glance back. Sweetly, I pouted. "Honey, it's so scary when crazy people act up. Let's get out of here."

Ethan grinned, helping me into the passenger seat of the sports car. With a wink, he stepped on the gas.

"Let's elope."

"Okay."

I smiled, curling into his shoulder, feeling the warmth of true happiness as he sped us away.