I Walked Away And He Fell Apart Chapter 04
Rayford Harington pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from my forehead, his eyes wild with concern.
“Maddie, I’m so sorry. I got here too late.”
At the sound of his voice, I finally broke down and cried.
“Ray…”
Lorna clung to Rayford’s neck, crying so hard she was gasping for air.
“Daddy! The bad men hit Mommy! They tried to take me away! I was so scared, Daddy—hit them!”
Rayford rubbed her back.
“It’s okay, Lorna. I’m here. I’m going to make sure anyone who hurt you today pays for it.”
Garland stood nearby. He glared at me, who was leaning against Rayford, visibly sick with jealousy.
“Who the hell are you to butt into my family’s business?
“Madelyn, did you really hire some random guy to play your husband, hoping it would change my mind? I’m taking this girl today, and that’s final.”
Rayford turned a sharp stare on Garland.
“A random guy? You’re awfully arrogant for a duke’s son.”
A moment later, two rows of fully armed soldiers in black armor rushed into the room.
“Arrest them,” Rayford ordered.
The soldiers tackled Garland’s guards to the floor. They grabbed the two men who had tried to take Lorna and snapped their arms.
Agonized screams echoed through the estate.
The other guests went pale with fear, backing away in terror.
Garland’s face fell. He clearly hadn’t expected anyone to attack his men in broad daylight.
“Are you out of your mind?” Garland shouted in agitation, reaching for the sword at his waist. “If you draw weapons on me, I’ll have you killed!”
Sabrina cowered behind Garland, pointing a trembling finger at Rayford as she yelled.
“This is a royal estate, and Gary is the future duke!
“Madelyn played you! Three years ago, that bitch did everything she could to get into Gary’s bed. She’s carrying Gary’s biological child, and you’re just some fool raising another man’s daughter!”
Rayford’s face turned to ice. He took a slow step toward Sabrina and Garland.
“What did you just call her?”
Intimidated by his sheer aggression, Sabrina shrank back, though she forced herself to answer. “I called her a bit—”
Before she could even finish the sentence, Rayford slapped her hard across the face, knocking her straight to the floor.
Sabrina slammed hard into the pillar behind her, hacking up a mouthful of blood.
“Rina!” Garland drew his sword, leveling it straight at Rayford’s chest. “I’ll kill you!”
Rayford held his ground, not even bothering to dodge.
“You hurt my wife,” he said flatly. “So you’re the ones who are going to die.”
Garland froze. His sword hovered in midair as a flash of surprise crossed his face.
Just then, the banquet’s host, Princess Elvira Crawley, rushed over, flanked by several older maids.
Taking in the wrecked room and Rayford standing calmly with his hands behind his back, Elvira looked completely stunned. Dropping her usual arrogant attitude, she hurried forward and offered a slight bow.
“Marshal Harington, I had no idea you were coming. Please forgive me for not greeting you when you arrived.”
Her words sent a shockwave through the crowd.
Marshal Harington. The same Rayford Harington who had ruthlessly slaughtered the Northern invaders and struck pure terror into their hearts.
The noblewomen who had been mocking me just moments before went dead pale.
Garland’s sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the floor. He stared at Rayford in utter disbelief before whipping his head toward me.
“Impossible. That is completely impossible. Madelyn, how could you marry someone of Marshal Harington’s standing?”