Chapter 369 The End

Chapter 369 The End
“Emily, no!”
Before King and Victoria could even react, a blood-curdling scream shattered the air. It was raw—filled with anguish and terror—and sent a chill straight through everyone’s bones.
James had just turned around when a gunshot rang out.
Everything went still.
Emily stood, swaying, a gun smoking in her hand—barrel still aimed at James.
But James hadn’t been hit.
Behind him, Laura staggered, clutching her side. Her legs buckled.
James caught her before she fell.
“Laura!”
She forced a weak smile, shaking her head. “I’m fine… as long as you’re okay.”
“Laura!” James held her tighter, panic rising. She was clearly not fine—her dress was already darkening with blood.
Then Victoria screamed, voice cracking, “James! She’s been shot! She shielded you—Laura took the bullet for you! Take her to the hospital!”
Emily’s face contorted with rage. “Laura, you just won’t quit, will you? Meddling again! Fine. If you want to die that badly—then I’ll oblige. I’ll send all of you to hell!”
She raised the gun again.
Another shot rang out.
This time—it struck Cara.
The very first scream had come from her. Maybe it was that cry that gave Laura the push to leap in front of James in the first place. Now, as Emily fired again, Cara hurled herself forward without hesitation.
The bullet hit her square in the chest, near the heart.
She dropped instantly.
James didn’t waste another second.
He lifted Laura into his arms and sprinted for the car. “Don’t speak. Conserve your strength. Just breathe, slowly. I’ve got you. I’ll save you.”
“Okay…” Laura’s voice was faint. She focused on breathing, on staying conscious.
“We’re going to make it,” James whispered in her ear. “You and me. Forever.”
Just as he reached the car, David and Michael came running up the road. They hadn’t called the cops yet, but James had planned ahead—he’d alerted his men earlier. They’d just arrived, slightly delayed.
“She’s been shot,” James said quickly. “I’m taking her to the hospital. Emily’s still armed—handle it.”
They nodded, weapons drawn, as James carefully laid Laura in the car and took off down the mountain road like a man possessed.
At the hospital, Laura was rushed into surgery.
Everyone waited, tense and silent.
Finally, the doctor emerged. “Who’s her family?”
“We all are!” They surged forward in unison. “How is she?”
“Stable. The bullet didn’t hit any vital organs—it’s been removed. She lost a lot of blood, though, so she’ll need rest.”
A collective sigh of relief passed through the group.
Moments later, David and Michael arrived.
James approached them immediately. “What about Emily? And Cara?”
The two men exchanged grim glances. David answered, voice low. “Cara wasn’t as lucky. The bullet pierced a major organ. She didn’t make it. She died before reaching the hospital.”
James closed his eyes. “She… she died saving me.”
“She did,” David confirmed. “As for Emily—she’s been arrested. We’ve handed her over to the police.”
Later, the police report painted a chilling picture.
After leaving the Manhattan Hotel, Emily hadn’t let go. She’d spent months tracking the Green couple’s movements, waiting. She knew she wasn’t their real daughter. She knew they were kind. That was exactly why she chose them—they were Laura’s heart.
She’d laced their coffee with a sedative, kidnapped them, and brought them to the mountain villa.
And Cara—perhaps weighed down by guilt—hadn’t hesitated. When the moment came, she stepped between James and the gun.
Shot and killed… by her own daughter.
After everything, Laura recovered fully.
And the wedding finally happened.
No more delays. No more drama. Just vows, laughter, and white roses.
That night, once the last guest had been ushered out, James collapsed onto their hotel bed with a dramatic groan. “I am exhausted. We should’ve skipped straight to the honeymoon. This was Mom and Dad’s idea!”
Laura flopped beside him. “Don’t be like that. They just wanted to witness it with their own eyes. Besides, we’re still going—just a few days late.”
“You’re right.” James sat up suddenly, eyes lighting up. “Where do you want to go? Maldives? Iceland? You pick.”
Laura frowned, thinking. “I don’t know. You decide and surprise me.”
“Deal!” James leaned in. “Now, Mrs. Wilson—this is our wedding night. Don’t you want to celebrate properly?”
Laura burst out laughing. “You couldn’t even lift a wine glass earlier. You think you’ve got energy left for that? Go to sleep!”
“I’m not tired!” James insisted, eyes gleaming. “I’ve been saving my energy for this.”
Laura dodged his hands and jumped off the bed. “At least let me shower first! I feel sticky and gross from all the hugging today.”
She paused, mid-step.
Then her face twisted. “Oh no.”
She darted toward the bathroom.
James sat up, alarmed. “Honey?! What happened?!”
The door opened a moment later. Laura peeked out sheepishly. “Um… my period just started.”
James blinked. “What?”
She nodded, awkward. “Yup. So… our wedding night will have to wait.”
James stared at her abdomen like it had personally betrayed him. Then he let out a strangled yell.
“Are you kidding me?!”
Laura tried to suppress a giggle. “You should lie down. I’ll go change.”
James collapsed back onto the bed, flinging an arm over his face.
“This is the worst honeymoon ever.”