My Girlfriend Is Getting Married

[Third-Person POV]

"What are you doing?" Genevieve shrieked in a sudden burst of panic. She instantly jumped between Torin and her ailing father, convinced the stranger was launching a physical attack.

However, Torin had already finished his precise medical intervention. Before Genevieve could even push him away, Robert’s ragged breathing steadied. A healthy flush of color returned to the older man's pallid face, replacing the terrifying blue tint from moments prior. The rattling in his chest faded into a smooth rhythm.

Standing with a calm demeanor, Torin looked at the bewildered pair. "I have only temporarily kept your severe lung injury in check," he explained smoothly. "Due to how entrenched the damage is, a full recovery will require meticulous, long-term care."

Robert touched his chest, drawing in a deep, painless breath. "Thank you," he gasped out, his voice thick with emotion. He expressed his gratitude for the sudden reprieve, reaching out to grab Torin's hand in both of his. "I really cannot thank you enough for saving my life today."

Torin pulled his hand back gently, making his stance clear. "I chose to save you because I am well aware of your philanthropic work. You have funded and built more than ten schools for the underprivileged. I felt morally obliged to do something in return for a good man."

Torin kept his face passive, but internally he reflected on the truth. He would not have bothered to lift a single finger otherwise, especially not after Genevieve had been so rude and nearly killed him with her reckless driving just minutes ago.

Embarrassed by his daughter's earlier behavior but thankful to be alive, Robert stepped forward. "Young man, you gave me a second chance. Please, allow me to treat my savior to a lavish lunch at the Prestige Hotel. It is the least I can do."

"No need," Torin declined the generous offer. His mind was consumed by a far more pressing issue—the urgent need to confront his treacherous girlfriend, Chloe, and clear the air regarding her sudden marriage. "I have something personal to take care of."

Yet, Robert stubbornly refused to let go of Torin's arm, begging for the opportunity. "I insist. Please, you must let me show my gratitude."

Torin glanced down at the tight grip on his sleeve. He quickly understood Robert's underlying wish. The wealthy CEO wanted to discuss the vital follow-up treatments required to save his life permanently. Torin finally yielded to the older man's persistence. He let out a soft sigh. "Alright. I will deal with my personal problem first. I promise to meet you at the hotel when I am done."

Leaving the stunned father and daughter behind on the street, Torin hurried directly to the Hayes family residence. The journey felt like a blur of rising dread and simmering anger. Arriving outside the familiar old mansion, he spotted Chloe's mother, Sylvia Rowell, standing near the entrance.

With his fury barely contained beneath his stoic exterior, Torin stepped right up to her. "Where is Chloe?" he demanded. "I need to see her immediately."

Sylvia folded her arms across her chest. She glared down her nose at Torin, her eyes full of disdain. She took in his worn clothes and tense posture. "Get lost!" she ordered. She raised her chin, declaring, "My daughter is getting married today to a wealthy man. An impoverished ex-convict like you is not welcomed anywhere near our family."

Having his bitterest fears confirmed by her cruel words, Torin ignored her. He dashed past Sylvia, unbothered as she desperately grabbed at his clothes.

"Hey! Are you mad?" Sylvia screamed, digging her heels into the dirt.

Torin did not slow down. He dragged the screaming older woman across the yard as she tried to hold his immense strength back. Her designer shoes dug deep trenches in the pristine lawn. He finally froze in his tracks only when the heavy front door swung open.

A woman dressed in an exquisite wedding gown stepped out onto the porch. She bore a sullen look on her flawless face.

Staring at the woman he once loved, Torin's eyes burned with an unyielding rage. "Chloe," he demanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Explain exactly what is going on."

Chloe met his fiery gaze with a chilling coldness. She did not flinch. She commanded him without a trace of warmth. "Leave the premises immediately, Torin. I forbid you from ever coming to see me again. I have decided to marry Declan Thorne."

Torin clenched his fists. His nails bit into his palms as the humiliating reality settled into his bones. He had sacrificed his freedom, enduring three brutal years in prison specifically because he defended her against Declan's harassment. And now, the very girlfriend he had protected was making a mockery of his sacrifice by willingly marrying that exact same monster.

Letting out a wry, pathetic laugh that echoed hollowly in the quiet courtyard, Torin felt his fury begin to recede. It cooled into a state of freezing detachment. His muscles relaxed. The burning in his chest turned to ice.

"Is this truly what you want?" he asked softly, staring directly into her eyes.

Without a single ounce of hesitation, Chloe nodded firmly. "Yes. I want to be rich," she stated. She gestured at his cheap attire. "Wealth is something you will never be able to provide for me. Look at you. As a tainted ex-convict, you might not even possess the basic ability to take care of yourself in society, let alone support a wife."

To twist the knife further, Chloe reached into her designer purse. She grabbed a thick handful of hundred-dollar bills. With a swift motion, she threw the cash directly at Torin's face. The green bills smacked against his cheek before fluttering to the ground around his feet.

"Take the money for old times' sake," she told him, looking down at him like a stray dog. "Purely so you won't have to sleep out on the dirty streets tonight."

Torin did not blink as the money rained down. Staring at her callous face, he realized with clarity that the innocent girl he once loved was dead to him. The woman standing in the wedding dress was a stranger.

"You will deeply regret this decision," Torin roared with terrifying certainty.

Without waiting for a single response, he turned his back on her. He strode away toward the gates, not bothering to touch a single bill she had thrown at him. He left the money in the dirt where it belonged.

"I would only ever regret it if I had been foolish enough to marry a broke bastard like you!" Chloe hissed from behind him, sealing the venomous destruction of their past.