- 39 minutes ago
The Sacrificial Bride | New Movie 2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Three days before my wedding, my fiancé gave me a paper wedding dress.
00:05I knew a paper wedding dress was a ritual prop.
00:08Whoever wore it would swap souls with the dead.
00:12The living would die. The dead would come back.
00:16Who did my fiancé want to bring back?
00:19There was an old tale in town.
00:21If a bride married in a paper wedding dress, she could deceive the Grim Reaper.
00:26However, she would swap places with a corpse bride who wore the same dress.
00:30The corpse would return to life.
00:33Three days before my wedding, I found a paper wedding dress.
00:37It was among the gifts from my fiancé, Wendell Hickman.
00:41It was tailored precisely to my measurements.
00:44A tag was pinned to it.
00:46Bearing my full name and date of birth, a chill ran down my spine.
00:49Who was Wendrick trying to bring back by sacracing me?
00:52While I was still frozen in fear, I heard my father's voice from the study next door.
00:57The life-swapping ritual has started.
01:01Darla is coming home.
01:05I crept to the door and looked through the crack.
01:08Wendell was holding a memorial portrait.
01:11It was Darlene Hawley, my late stepsister.
01:16Wendell's eyes brimmed with undisguised affection.
01:19I had never seen him look at me like that.
01:22Darla, he whispered, his voice full of longing.
01:27I have endured three years of pretending.
01:30Pretending to be Veronica's loving boyfriend.
01:33You have no idea how disgusted it felt every time I was near her.
01:36On our wedding day, she will take your place as the corpse bride.
01:39She will be trapped in hell forever.
01:41On the altar table beside him sat white candles, a human skull, and rune stones, all arranged for Darlene's return.
01:51Watching the scene, I rubbed the engagement ring on my finger.
01:55Icy dread spread through my veins.
01:58You have got everything ready.
01:59I murmured under my breath.
02:02But Wendell, there is something I never told you.
02:06As I turned to leave, my foot struck something on the floor.
02:09The sharp, brittle sound shattered the silence.
02:13All three of them inside the study froze.
02:16Who is there?
02:18Wendell called out, his voice sharp.
02:20My heart hammered against my ribs.
02:23I quickly knocked on the door.
02:27Del?
02:28Have you seen Dad and Betsy?
02:31Dinner is ready.
02:32They emerged together moments later.
02:35Each wore a different expression.
02:38But all three of them fixed their gazes on me.
02:41The devastating truth nearly crushed me.
02:45My family had never loved me.
02:46My fiancé had never loved me either.
02:49But I could not afford to fall apart yet.
02:52I forced myself to breathe.
02:54I forced myself to stay calm.
02:58I touched my cheek and put on a smile.
03:02What is it?
03:03I asked.
03:03Is there something on my face?
03:07Why are you all staring at me?
03:09My dad, Stephen Hawley, relaxed.
03:11My stepmom, Betsy Lowe, relaxed too.
03:15Dad smiled softly.
03:16We are just finding it hard to let go.
03:19Knowing you are about to get married.
03:21Then Wendell crouched down to Ooks me.
03:24Like he always did.
03:25His voice was doting.
03:27Full of false tenderness.
03:28It just rained.
03:30You do not want to get your shoes wet.
03:33Come on.
03:34Let me carry you to the dining room.
03:38At dinner, Wendell constantly refilled my plate.
03:43Dad and Betsy exchanged knowing smiles.
03:47The scene looked so harmonious.
03:49Other relatives watched with envy.
03:51You are so lucky, Vera.
03:54Someone exclaimed.
03:55I kept smiling.
03:57But inside, I was drowning in fear and heartbreak.
04:03No one knew the truth.
04:05Ever since I had seen that paper wedding dress, I could see things no one else could.
04:10Everything Wendell gave me was made of paper.
04:13The food.
04:14The clothes.
04:15Even the daily recessities.
04:18Everything.
04:18After I finally forced down the paper food on my plate, Wendell frowned at my rain-damped clothes.
04:26Vera, let me walk you back to your room so you can change.
04:29The wedding is in three days.
04:31We cannot have you catching a cold.
04:33Wendell and I had been in love for three years.
04:36He had friend over the smallest sniffle.
04:40To spare him from unnecessary worry, I had never turned down his care.
04:45Now, my throat tightened.
04:47I could not tell whether it was fear or despair choking me.
04:50I let him guide me back without resistance.
04:53The courtyard was piled high with wedding gifts.
04:56But I did not dare look at them.
04:58All of it was paper.
05:00The jewelry.
05:01The property deeds.
05:03Everything.
05:04That dress had given me the ability to see through the illusion.
05:08Back in my room, I started to undress with shaky hands.
05:13Wendell suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind.
05:16He chuckled.
05:17He glanced at the paper wedding dress hanging nearby.
05:20Vera, babe, he whispered in my ear.
05:24Since you are already undressing, why not try on the wedding dress?
05:27I cannot wait to see my beautiful bride.
05:30Three months earlier, Wendell had flown to Italy to personally select the silk.
05:35He had stayed up night after night, overseeing every stitch of the embroidery.
05:39I had once believed it was proof of his love.
05:42I had counted the days until I could finally wear it.
05:46But now I knew the truth.
05:48The real dress was hanging in the study.
05:52What I held in my hands was just a paper replica.
05:54To survive, I did not dare to expose him.
05:57I lowered my head to hide the bitterness in my eyes.
06:01My voice trembled slightly.
06:02The dress is so complicated.
06:05What if I stain it?
06:08I think I should save it for the wedding day.
06:11Wendell chuckled again.
06:12You think it is too much trouble?
06:15I will help you.
06:16He reached out, but I quickly dodged, feigning shyness.
06:20I can manage.
06:21Then I slipped in the walk-in closet.
06:23Just then, a strange creaking noise came from the door.
06:28An eerie wind lifted the gazy curtains.
06:30I turned around.
06:32The paper wedding grass clenched in my arms, and I froze.
06:37Darlin was walking across the room.
06:40The same Darlin who had died three years ago.
06:43Her bloodless face was twisted with fury.
06:46Her eyes brimmed with venom as she glared at me from behind the curtains.
06:50A flicker of excitement flashed in Wendell's eyes.
06:54A look I had never seen before.
06:56He stepped forward, sounding anxious.
06:59Darla.
06:59Darla, your body is not fully formed yet.
07:03Why did you leave the study?
07:04Her red lips parted.
07:06Her tone was aggrieved.
07:07You think I am interrupting your moment with Veronica, don't you?
07:13Fine.
07:14I will go.
07:16Wendell quickly pulled her into his arms.
07:19Babe, I am just worried Veronica might see you.
07:22Only then did Darlin stuck out her tongue playfully.
07:27She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
07:30Every time you came here we made out right in front of her.
07:34And she never noticed, did she?
07:37There is nothing to worry about, Del.
07:40Raw desire flooded Wendell's deep eyes.
07:43I stood rooted in place.
07:46I watched Mr. Hickman and Darlene Hawley's bodies tangled together on the bed.
07:52My heart was shattering into pieces.
07:57People used to say, Wendell would not touch me because he cherished me.
08:03Because he wanted to wait until marriage.
08:07And I had believed that.
08:09But only now did I realize the truth.
08:11When he was with his true love, he could not hold back his physical impulse at all.
08:17By morning, when I woke up, Darlene was already gone.
08:20Wendell was about to head back to prepare for the wedding.
08:24As he stepped away, he looked back every few paces.
08:29Facending Reluctance
08:31Mr. Hickman, did Vera put a spell on you?
08:34You are completely smitten.
08:37Only I knew the truth.
08:38He was not looking at me.
08:40He was looking past me.
08:42Toward the study where Darlene waited.
08:44I tried to escape.
08:48But every time I reached the main gate,
08:50I would somehow end up right back where I started.
08:53When I was little, the elders told stories about this.
08:58Once the life-swapping ritual began,
09:00the circle was sealed.
09:02The only way out was to see it through.
09:05And then find another way.
09:08In other words, I had to wait.
09:11Only after the ceremony ended.
09:14Only after Wendell and Darlene got married,
09:16could I make my move and escape.
09:21Soon, it was the wedding day.
09:23Early that morning, the air was thick with fog.
09:26Guests who arrived early smiled and chatted.
09:29They said by noon the sun would be bright.
09:32It was perfect wedding weather.
09:34Meanwhile, I sat in my room,
09:36dressed in my wedding gown.
09:37The veil was draped over my face.
09:39An eerie song drifted through the heavy mist.
09:43Corpse bride on the fourth chime.
09:46The living's end.
09:48The dead's new prime.
09:50I was shaking.
09:51I was supported on either side to the living room.
09:54I had to serve tea to Dad and Betsy.
09:57One last time, before leaving to marry.
10:01They wiped away tears.
10:03They said how hard it was to let me go.
10:07Long before my own mother passed,
10:09Dad had already been keeping Darlene and Betsy on the side.
10:13Watching the scene, the guests sighed with emotion.
10:17You can call Betsy a homewrecker.
10:19Someone said.
10:20But ever since her daughter Darlene died,
10:22she has loved Veronica with her whole heart.
10:24I know, right?
10:25Another guest chimed in.
10:27She is genuinely good to Veronica.
10:31Even though they are not blood related.
10:35Was Betsy genuinely good to me?
10:38I thought of the voodoo doll a few days earlier.
10:43I had dug it up under the tree in the courtyard.
10:46It had my name and birthday carved into it.
10:49The doll was covered in cuts and silver pins.
10:52The pins were Betsy's.
10:54The cuts were left by Dad.
10:55They could not stand to see me alive and carefree.
10:59Not while their own daughter lay cold and restless in the ground.
11:03Holding the tea I offered, Dad and Betsy choked up.
11:06They told me to build a life with Wendell.
11:09They hoped to see me happy forever.
11:10I smiled.
11:11But I did not nod.
11:13After all, they were not saying it to me.
11:15They were saying it to Darlene.
11:17Darlene stood behind me in her own corpsely wedding dress.
11:22When Wendell entered, his gaze kept drifting around me.
11:26It never settled on my face.
11:28He even walked straight toward Darlene at first.
11:33Only after Dad cleared his throat softly, did he reluctantly took my hand.
11:39No one else could see the truth.
11:41His other hand was tightly interwaved with Darlene's.
11:46As we were getting into the car, Wendell said,
11:50Vera, where I am from, the bride rides in the front.
11:55The excuse was so flimby, I almost laughed.
12:00But I went along with it.
12:02I slipped into the passenger seat.
12:04I just wanted this over with.
12:06The thought of sitting in the back made my stomach churn,
12:10watching the two of them.
12:12One living, one dead.
12:15All over each other.
12:16At the church, Wendell spoke his vows.
12:19But his eyes kept looking past my shoulder.
12:23It was Darlene.
12:25She really completed the ceremony with him.
12:30Just as the priest was about to pronounce us husband and wife,
12:35Wendell suddenly said,
12:37Wait.
12:40He gestured to an empty seat beside his parents.
12:45Vila, according to my family's tradition,
12:48you must bow and serve tea to this empty seat.
12:52For the union to be complete.
12:57The confused guests murmured among themselves.
13:00But the seat is empty.
13:01Someone said,
13:03Who is Miss Hockley bowing to?
13:05Beneath my veil, my face went pale.
13:09Even though I knew it was all a lie.
13:12Even though I knew Wendell had never loved me.
13:15A sharp pain still cut through me.
13:19I realized then what Wendell was trying to do.
13:23He was trying to bind me to the Hickman family forever.
13:29No one else could see the truth.
13:31Darlene, who had just exchanged vows with him,
13:34was now seated in that very chair.
13:37She was waiting for my bow with a triumphant smile.
13:40If I went through with it,
13:42I would not just be acknowledging her.
13:43I would be accepting a role like a bondservant from the old stories.
13:47A corpsely subordinate.
13:51Even in death, I would be at her mercy.
13:55I stood frozen, fear tightening my voice.
14:00Del, that is not a custom where I am from.
14:03If this bow is required,
14:05then maybe I cannot go through with this.
14:09The church broke into hushed arguments.
14:12Guests urged Wendell not to force such a sudden,
14:15strange demand on his bride.
14:17But what scared me most
14:19were the small, shadowy poltergeists gathered around Wendell.
14:23They chattered excitedly.
14:25If Veronica will not bow,
14:28we will break her legs.
14:30Better yet, let us possess her.
14:33Then we can make her bow as long as we want.
14:38They started looking me over,
14:40pointing and plodding.
14:42Beneath my gown,
14:43my hands clenched into fists.
14:45I fought to keep my body.
14:47From shaking.
14:49Just as despair began to take hold,
14:52I saw Wendell shoot a cold, warning look at the poltergeists.
14:58Shut up!
15:00I am using Veronica to bring Darla back.
15:04But that does not mean you get to hurt her.
15:07Seeing it was the critical moment for the ritual,
15:09Wendy could delay no longer.
15:11He sent a silent message to calm Darlene,
15:14who was fuming.
15:18Darla,
15:19bringing you back is what matters.
15:22She can bow and acknowledge you later.
15:24That can wait.
15:26Darlene circled me a few times.
15:29She dropped me a vicious glare.
15:31Then she floated off toward the wedding home.
15:35The Hickman's Villa sat at the top of the mountain.
15:39Besides the main villa up front,
15:42there were two smaller ones in the back.
15:45Ours was the one farthest behind.
15:48I had picked it myself,
15:50drawn to the quiet, secluded spot.
15:53I thought it would be a peaceful place to live.
15:56Now,
15:57I stepped on dry twigs.
15:58I stared wide-eyed through my veil.
16:01I looked at the run-down building in the distance.
16:04Calling it a villa was not right.
16:06It was a long, abandoned cemetery.
16:09The guests stayed in the front courtyard.
16:12Dad and Betsy walked with me to the wedding home.
16:15They held my arms on either side,
16:17not wanting any surprise.
16:19The poltergeists hopped along,
16:22cheering excitedly.
16:23A new bride for the Demon King!
16:26I stopped abruptly.
16:28The Demon King?
16:30So Wendell was not just swapping me with Darlene.
16:34He was marrying me off to a demon.
16:40Up ahead, Wendell turned,
16:42his smile gentle.
16:44Vera?
16:46What is wrong?
16:48Seeing that fake, gentle smile on his face,
16:51I was suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion.
16:54I pulled out the small notebook I had cherished for years.
16:58It was filled with 999 things Wendell had done for me.
17:03Elaborate breakfasts every day,
17:05giving me his only oxygen tank while scuba diving.
17:09I lifted my veil
17:10and held the notebook out to him with a smile.
17:14Wendell,
17:15I believe you loved me once,
17:18but let us call off this marriage.
17:20The moment I said it,
17:22Dad and Betsy tensed up.
17:26Wendell's eyes turned dangerous.
17:29His voice went cold.
17:31Why, Vera?
17:32I bit my lip.
17:34My hands gripped the hem of my dress.
17:37I said nothing.
17:38Around us,
17:39one of the poltergeists suddenly shouted,
17:43Something is off!
17:45She just looked right at me!
17:47Wendell, she knows!
17:49Wendell bent down to meet my eyes.
17:52His gaze was scrutinizing now.
17:56Vera,
17:57did you see something you should not have?
18:01Or hear something you were not supposed to?
18:07I said straightforwardly,
18:09Del,
18:10just tell me,
18:12is it true that if I walk into that villa,
18:14I will be torn to pieces?
18:16Wendell froze.
18:17He snapped his head toward the cemetery.
18:19He let out a harsh laugh.
18:21So you really did see them?
18:23He dropped all pretend.
18:25Then he turned,
18:26and roared at the poltergeists.
18:28Who attracted seven demons here?
18:32I said Vera only has to marry one!
18:35After cursing them out,
18:37he turned back to coax me.
18:38His voice softened.
18:40Vera,
18:40do not be scared.
18:41I only wanted one demon here
18:43to trick the Grimmy Reaper's agents.
18:44After all,
18:45you do have to marry a demon
18:46on behalf of Darla.
18:47But I will only let it have you
18:49for one night.
18:50Once Darla is back,
18:51I will send it away, okay?
18:52But now there are seven of them.
18:55To avoid any problems,
18:56I am afraid you will have
18:57to spend the night with them.
18:59Rest assured,
19:00I will not think any less of you after.
19:03I stared at him with tears in my eyes.
19:05My heart broke completely.
19:09All I could do
19:10was clutch the edge of his suit jacket.
19:13I whispered,
19:15Wendell, please,
19:16let me go.
19:18There is actually something
19:20I never told you.
19:21He cut me off with a cold laugh.
19:24A secret?
19:25What secret?
19:27Do not try to trick me.
19:30I am not letting you go.
19:33Inside,
19:34I was confused.
19:36Wendell and I had met first.
19:38When did he fall for Darlene?
19:41Dad and Aunt Betsy Lowe
19:42suddenly stepped forward.
19:46They grabbed me again.
19:48Veronica, give it up.
19:50Neither of us,
19:51and not Wendell,
19:53is letting this chance slip away.
19:54I looked up and asked,
19:56why?
19:58I truly believed
19:59I had never made things hard
20:01for Betsy or Darlie.
20:02A flash of hardness
20:04crossed at Betsy's eyes.
20:06She spoke slowly.
20:08Darla died,
20:09saving Wendell.
20:10And the heart and kidney
20:12Stephen and I got three years ago,
20:16they came from Darla.
20:19So, Veronica,
20:22you have to die.
20:24My eyes widened in shock.
20:26I stared at the three of them.
20:28Wendell did not want to look at me anymore.
20:30He raised a hand
20:32and signaled to the polterfights.
20:34Take Veronica.
20:36Bring her to the bedroom.
20:38She does not come out until dawn.
20:40That night,
20:41I spent the night
20:42with seven demons.
20:44It was long
20:45and full of pain.
20:49By morning,
20:50the life-swapping ritual
20:51was complete.
20:53Wendell looked refreshed
20:54and satisfied.
20:55He brought Darlene
20:56to the rundown hut
20:57to see me.
20:58Darlene's eyes
20:59lit up with satisfaction
21:01when she saw me.
21:03I was covered
21:04in blood and grime.
21:06She reached out
21:07to help me up.
21:08Vera,
21:09you must have suffered.
21:11From now on,
21:13Del and I will take
21:13good care of you.
21:17When Wendell saw
21:18my exposed skin
21:19and the marks on it,
21:20a flicker of pain
21:22passed through his eyes.
21:24He pulled me tightly
21:25into his arms.
21:27Vera,
21:29from now on,
21:31you will be stuck
21:32in the borderlands
21:33between life and death,
21:35never crossing over.
21:39But being a corpse
21:40bride is not all bad.
21:42At least you can
21:43stay by my side.
21:46I let out a cold laugh.
21:49A corpse bride?
21:50Are you talking
21:51about me, Wendell?
21:55You lied to me
21:57for three years
21:58just to turn me
21:58into a corpse bride.
22:00And trade me
22:01for Darlene.
22:03But the truth is,
22:05I have been keeping
22:06a secret from you too.
22:10Wendell scooped me
22:11up from the ground.
22:12His expression
22:13was gentle.
22:15The ritual is over.
22:18Darla is back.
22:20Vera,
22:21I am sorry
22:22I lied to you.
22:24But you do not
22:25have to make things up
22:26just to upset me.
22:27Staring at his face,
22:28I raised a blood-stained
22:29finger.
22:30I pressed it
22:31against his chest.
22:32My lips curled
22:33into a grim smile.
22:35I have not even
22:36said it yet.
22:37How do you know
22:38I am lying?
22:40Darlene,
22:41standing beside us,
22:43tried to cut in.
22:44Wendell raised a hand
22:46to stop her.
22:49Darla,
22:49we owe Vera this much.
22:52Let her say it
22:53so that she can
22:54get it off her chest.
22:56Darlene went pale,
22:57but she did not
22:59speak again.
23:00Seeing the panic
23:01flashing in her eyes,
23:03I sneered.
23:05Wendell,
23:06before I tell you
23:07that secret,
23:07I need to clear
23:08one thing up.
23:10Three years ago,
23:12I saved you
23:13in that car accident.
23:15Not Darlene.
23:17I walked him
23:18through everything
23:19about how I saved him.
23:21But he just chuckled
23:22and shook his head.
23:24He sounded helpless.
23:26Okay, okay.
23:27It was you,
23:28alright?
23:29Are you satisfied now?
23:31Darla is generous.
23:32She will not mind
23:33whatever you say.
23:35Say what you need
23:35to say.
23:37Now,
23:38are you ready
23:39to share
23:40this big secret
23:40of yours?
23:43My heart sank.
23:45Wendell did not
23:46believe for a second
23:47that I had saved him.
23:49I lowered my gaze.
23:51I wondered
23:52if it was even
23:53worth risking
23:53my life
23:54to tell him
23:54the truth.
23:55Seeing me go quiet,
23:57Darlene took
23:58a step back.
24:01She looked frightened.
24:03Del,
24:04not you see?
24:07Veronica is trying
24:08to turn us
24:09against each other.
24:11She wants to trick you
24:12into swapping me back.
24:15Maybe there is not
24:16any secret at all.
24:18Promise me
24:19you will not believe her,
24:20okay?
24:21Wendell nodded.
24:23He locked me
24:24in the second
24:25small villa.
24:26Vera,
24:27from today on,
24:28this is your home.
24:30When you are
24:31feeling better,
24:32come to the main villa
24:33and bow to Darla.
24:35With us protecting you,
24:37the Grim Reaper
24:37will not find you.
24:41I sat numbly
24:43in a chair.
24:44I stared out the window.
24:47I was unwilling
24:48to speak.
24:50What Wendell
24:51did not know
24:52was that from the moment
24:53I stepped inside,
24:54I had been looking
24:55for a way out.
24:57But the front door
24:58was deadbolted shut.
25:01The air outside
25:03had thickened
25:03into a toxic haze,
25:05a barrier
25:06I could not cross.
25:08There was still
25:09no escape.
25:13Around midnight,
25:15a sharp scream
25:15tore through
25:16the main villa.
25:17It was Darlene.
25:20Help!
25:22Veronica
25:22is attacking me!
25:27Her hatred
25:28is like a knife
25:29in my mind.
25:31It is...
25:32It is killing me!
25:35With a loud bang,
25:37Wendell
25:38kicked the door open.
25:40Dad and Betsy
25:41followed behind him.
25:43A middle-aged man
25:44was with him.
25:45He seemed
25:46like an exorcist.
25:48Dad pointed
25:49a trembling finger
25:50at me and roared.
25:51You monster!
25:55Darla is your sister!
25:57Are you trying
25:58to kill her?
26:01Still in my wedding dress,
26:03I tilted my head.
26:05I studied
26:07the crimson stain
26:08on my fingertips.
26:09A cold smile
26:10curled on my lips.
26:13Kill her?
26:15She is already
26:16a corpse.
26:17How do you kill
26:18what is already dead?
26:21Betsy's face
26:22twisted with rage.
26:24I had no doubt
26:25she would strangle me
26:26right then
26:27if she could.
26:30Darla is human now.
26:32Wendell moved
26:33soughtly
26:34to block Betsy.
26:35He frowned at me.
26:37Vera,
26:38I get it.
26:41The newly departed
26:42often carry
26:43deep resentment.
26:45I brought an exorcist
26:46to help cleanse
26:47the darkness
26:47clinging to you.
26:52I turned and looked at the poltergeist
26:54disguised as the exorcist.
26:57Wendell,
26:57this so-called exorcist
26:59is one of the poltergeists
27:01around Darlene
27:02in disguise.
27:05Can't you tell?
27:07He frowned
27:08in displeasure.
27:10You have gone
27:10too far,
27:11Veronica.
27:12First you claim
27:12you saved my life.
27:14Now you say
27:15Darla sent a poltergeist
27:16to hurt you?
27:17Your soul is poisoned.
27:19You really do need
27:20cleansing.
27:21Then he nodded
27:22to the poltergeist
27:23in disguise.
27:24The poltergeist
27:25put on a show.
27:27Chanting curses
27:28meant to cause pain.
27:31Performing rituals
27:32designed to injure
27:34from the inside.
27:35I lowered my eyes.
27:36A faint smile
27:37touched my lips.
27:39Then I played along.
27:40I dropped to the floor.
27:41I wreathed
27:42like I was in agony.
27:45Only when I fell
27:47unconscious
27:49did Wendell
27:50carried me
27:50to a bed
27:51on the second floor.
27:54When no one
27:55was looking
27:55he leaned down.
27:58He pressed
27:59a slow
28:00relingering kiss
28:01against my lips.
28:06After he left
28:08Darlene slipped
28:09into the room.
28:11She raised her hand
28:13ready to smite me
28:15with a spell
28:15charged palm.
28:16You bitch!
28:19How dare you
28:21try to seduce
28:22Del!
28:23But the next moment
28:25her eyes
28:26went wide
28:27with shock.
28:28She did not
28:28dare move at all.
28:30A raven
28:31with golden eyes
28:31shot through the window.
28:33It blocked
28:34the strike
28:35meant for me.
28:37Darlene
28:38stumbled back.
28:39Her eyes
28:40were wide
28:40with disbelief.
28:41A raven?
28:43Is there
28:44a witch here?
28:44Her attempt
28:46to kill me
28:47had failed.
28:48With the raven
28:49guarding me
28:49she did not
28:50dare try again.
28:52She ran off
28:53in a hurry.
28:55After she was gone
28:56I slowly
28:57sat up.
28:59I cupped
29:00the raven
29:00in my hand.
29:02I stroked
29:02her gently.
29:04Jane
29:04you made it
29:06back.
29:08Jane
29:09vibrated
29:09with excitement.
29:11Vera
29:11that paper
29:12wedding dress
29:13really did
29:14unlock your
29:15witch powers.
29:16Too bad
29:18we cannot
29:18touch Darlene
29:19yet.
29:22but those
29:23seven demons
29:24you left
29:25for me
29:25they were
29:26a feast.
29:27She fluffed
29:28her chest
29:28feathers
29:29glowing with
29:30satisfaction
29:30but my mood
29:32was still
29:32heavy.
29:34Noticing
29:34Jananne
29:35hopped
29:36onto my
29:36shoulder.
29:37She rubbed
29:38her head
29:38against my
29:39cheek.
29:40She tried
29:40to comfort
29:41me.
29:42Don't
29:42stress
29:43Vera.
29:44If telling
29:44your secret
29:45paints a
29:45target on
29:46your back
29:46I will
29:47protect
29:48you.
29:48It had
29:49been so
29:49long since
29:50anyone cared
29:51about me
29:51like that.
29:52I was just
29:53about to
29:54pull Janie
29:54into a
29:55grateful
29:55hug.
29:56She suddenly
29:57went still.
29:59She listened
29:59intently for
30:00a long
30:01moment.
30:02Finally
30:02she spoke.
30:04Her tone
30:05was serious.
30:07Vera
30:07that wretched
30:08Darlene just
30:09went to stir
30:09up Wendrell's
30:10parents.
30:12She is
30:13setting them
30:13up to
30:14kill you.
30:16I brushed
30:16the dirt
30:17off my
30:17wedding
30:17dress.
30:20I headed
30:21downstairs.
30:26Jean.
30:27The proof
30:28you have
30:28been gathering
30:29these past
30:29few days.
30:30It is
30:31ready,
30:31right?
30:32Let us
30:33show it
30:33to the
30:33guests.
30:36When
30:37Wendell's
30:37parents
30:38arrived,
30:38they took
30:39one look
30:39at me
30:40sitting
30:40on the
30:40sofa.
30:41They
30:42started
30:42trembling
30:42in fear.
30:44Gripping
30:44across,
30:45they gathered
30:46their courage.
30:47Veronica,
30:48Veronica,
30:48don't
30:49hurt
30:49Del.
30:51If you
30:51want
30:51revenge,
30:52take it
30:53out on
30:53us.
30:54Let him
30:55go.
30:56I just
30:56smiled.
30:57I pointed
30:58at the
30:58TV screen.
31:00Craig,
31:01Carmen,
31:03wait till
31:03you watch
31:04watch this.
31:06It showed
31:07the whole
31:07scene of
31:08me saving
31:08Wendell
31:09three years
31:10earlier.
31:10When it
31:11ended,
31:11they slumped
31:12to the
31:12floor.
31:15Veronica,
31:16you weren't
31:16lying?
31:17You're the
31:18one who
31:18saved Del?
31:20Why didn't
31:21you ever
31:21tell him?
31:22My smile
31:23turned bitter.
31:24I couldn't.
31:25If I had
31:25spoken the
31:26secret,
31:27my life
31:27would have
31:28been over.
31:28Craig was
31:29the first
31:29to snap
31:30out of it.
31:30He pulled
31:32Carmen to
31:32her feet.
31:33He rushed
31:34for the
31:34door.
31:34We have
31:35to find
31:35Del!
31:36We have
31:36to tell
31:37him
31:37Veronica
31:37saved
31:37his
31:38life!
31:39He has
31:40been
31:40thanking
31:40the
31:41wrong
31:41person!
31:42Arm
31:43in arm,
31:43they ran
31:44out.
31:45Watching
31:45them go,
31:46I felt
31:46a dull
31:47ache in
31:47my chest.
31:49Jean,
31:49still on
31:50my shoulder,
31:51rubbed
31:51her head
31:51against
31:52my chin.
31:53Vera,
31:53you kept
31:54them safe
31:54for three
31:55years.
31:56Don't
31:56feel guilty.
31:57Their
31:57time was
31:58just up.
32:01A thick,
32:02unnatural fog
32:03swirled around
32:04the main
32:05villa.
32:07In their
32:07panic,
32:08Craig and
32:09Carmen came
32:10almost within
32:10sight of
32:11Wendock.
32:12But Wendock
32:13did not
32:14see.
32:16Just a dozen
32:17meters away,
32:18Darlene shangled
32:19them to death,
32:20right in front
32:21of him.
32:22While Darlene
32:23was busy,
32:24Janie and I
32:24found the
32:24exit.
32:25We slipped
32:26out of the
32:26Hickman's
32:27villa.
32:28The moment
32:29we left,
32:30the furious
32:31Darlene put
32:31her act
32:32into motion.
32:33She cut
32:34her own
32:35arm.
32:36She collapsed
32:37to the
32:37ground,
32:37covered in
32:38blood.
32:39Her face
32:40was a
32:40mask of
32:41terror.
32:43Veronica
32:43killed
32:44Craig and
32:45Carmen!
32:46Wendock
32:46stared,
32:47stunned.
32:47Darla?
32:48What are you
32:49talking about?
32:51Darlene laid
32:51out her
32:52prepared story.
32:53She blamed
32:54me for the
32:55murders.
32:56Wendock
32:57began to
32:57shake so
32:58badly that
32:59he could
32:59barely
33:00stand.
33:02When he
33:03saw how
33:04miserable his
33:04parents had
33:05died, he
33:07let out a
33:07roar of
33:08agony and
33:08fury.
33:12His eyes
33:13turned bloodshot.
33:16The others
33:16stared in shock
33:17at Darlene.
33:18She was
33:19alive and
33:20well in
33:21front of
33:21them, even
33:23though she
33:23had been
33:24dead for
33:24three years.
33:25years.
33:26Isn't
33:27that the
33:27Hawley
33:27family's
33:28dead
33:28daughter?
33:29She's
33:30alive.
33:32Where's
33:33Veronica?
33:34Why would
33:35she kill
33:35Craig and
33:36Carmen?
33:39Wendock
33:40locked himself
33:41in his room
33:41all night.
33:42At dawn,
33:43he walked
33:44out.
33:45Strouble
33:46shadowed his
33:46jaw.
33:47He made
33:48an announcement.
33:50Veronica
33:51killed my
33:51parents.
33:54I'm done
33:55hiding her
33:55real identity
33:56for her.
33:59The truth
33:59is, Veronica
34:00has been
34:01dead a long
34:01time.
34:04She's an
34:05evil spirit.
34:06If any of
34:06you know
34:07capable
34:07corpse
34:08busters,
34:09send them
34:09my way.
34:10I'll pay
34:12whatever it
34:13takes.
34:14Word spread
34:14fast.
34:15Soon, the
34:17Hickman's
34:17villa was
34:17swarming with
34:18talents.
34:20They laid
34:20magic circles
34:21and set
34:22traps.
34:23They were
34:24waiting for
34:24me to
34:25show myself
34:27so they
34:27could capture
34:28me and
34:29hand me
34:29over to
34:29Wendell
34:31for him
34:32to torture
34:32me.
34:36Meanwhile,
34:36in a small
34:37forgotten
34:37chapel, I
34:38was desperately
34:39trying to
34:39claw off the
34:40wedding dress
34:41feuded to
34:41my skin.
34:43Janine pecked
34:43at my sleeve
34:44with her beak,
34:44letting out a
34:45low, raspy
34:46caw.
34:47What is
34:48this thing?
34:49It won't
34:49budge.
34:51A stone
34:52statue in
34:53the corner
34:53shifted.
34:55Its eyes
34:57cracked open
34:57with a
34:58scoff.
35:00The marriage
35:00wasn't
35:01consummated.
35:02You didn't
35:03actually
35:04marry him.
35:07Of course,
35:08the dress
35:08won't come
35:08off.
35:10Jean and I
35:11looked up,
35:12surprised.
35:13Larry, you
35:15finally showed
35:16up.
35:17I said, Larry,
35:19a senior from
35:20the same
35:20forgotten
35:20mystical
35:21tradition,
35:22snotted.
35:23Oh, so
35:24you remember
35:25me,
35:26Veronica.
35:29I'm honored
35:30you came here
35:30instead of
35:31crawling back
35:32to your
35:32precious
35:32Wendell.
35:34Jean flew
35:35onto the
35:36pedestal.
35:38Of course
35:39she remembers
35:39you.
35:40Witch blood
35:42runs in
35:42her veins.
35:44She sees
35:45Wendell for
35:45what he is
35:46now.
35:47She knows
35:48we're the
35:48ones who
35:48really care
35:49for her.
35:51Pissed off,
35:53Larry let
35:53out a sharp
35:54laugh.
35:57Stop
35:57defending
35:58her.
36:00She
36:01caused
36:01her
36:01own
36:01mess
36:02by
36:02saving
36:02the
36:02wrong
36:02man.
36:04That's
36:05why
36:05she's
36:05hiding
36:05in a
36:06ruined
36:06chapel
36:06looking
36:07for
36:07a
36:07way
36:07out.
36:08Am I
36:09wrong?
36:10Embarrassed,
36:10I hung
36:11my head.
36:12My cheeks
36:13were burning.
36:14Even as
36:15he mocked
36:15me,
36:16Larry
36:16offered a
36:17solution.
36:17If you
36:18want that
36:18dress
36:18off,
36:19you'll
36:19have
36:19to
36:19marry
36:19Dominic
36:20Keenan,
36:20the
36:21sickly
36:21heir of
36:22the
36:22Keenan
36:22family.
36:23Of course,
36:24if you
36:24think that's
36:25beneath you,
36:26forget I
36:26said
36:26anything.
36:28I shook
36:29my head
36:30quickly.
36:31I don't.
36:32Only then
36:33did his
36:34tone
36:34soften a
36:34bit.
36:35Dominic
36:36has a
36:36unique
36:37fate.
36:38Marry
36:39him,
36:39and he'll
36:40keep you
36:40safe for
36:41the rest
36:41of your
36:42life.
36:43So even
36:43if you
36:44tell your
36:44secret
36:44after that,
36:45no one
36:46will dare
36:46come after
36:47you.
36:48Maybe
36:48it was
36:48my
36:48imagination.
36:50I
36:50thought
36:50I saw
36:51a faint
36:51blush
36:52of stone
36:52dust
36:53rise
36:53on
36:53Larry's
36:54cheek.
36:56I
36:57nodded
36:57eagerly.
36:58I
36:58agreed
36:59right
36:59away.
37:01We
37:02arrived at
37:02the
37:03Keenan's
37:03home.
37:04I
37:05thought
37:05things
37:05wouldn't
37:05be
37:06easy
37:06after
37:06that.
37:08But the
37:09moment we
37:09reached the
37:10gate and
37:10saw Dominic
37:11in person,
37:12at Jan's
37:12eyes went
37:13wide with
37:13shock.
37:15Larry?
37:19Larry was
37:20actually
37:20Dominic?
37:21My
37:22cheeks
37:22flushed
37:22crimson.
37:24I
37:25wanted
37:25the
37:25floor
37:25to
37:26swallow
37:26me
37:26whole.
37:27Dominic
37:28brought a
37:28fist to
37:28his lips
37:29and cleared
37:29his throat.
37:30He
37:30explained,
37:31My fate
37:31is unique,
37:32so sometimes
37:33I cultivate
37:34by attaching
37:35my spirit
37:36to a stone
37:37statue.
37:40As for
37:41our marriage,
37:42don't overthink
37:43it.
37:44With my
37:45health the
37:45way it is,
37:46I'd made
37:46peace with
37:46being alone
37:47forever.
37:51I'm
37:51actually glad
37:52I can
37:52help.
37:53I bowed
37:54and thanked
37:54him sincerely.
37:56That
37:57very night,
37:57we made
37:58it official.
38:00And he
38:00was right.
38:02After we
38:02exchanged
38:03our vows,
38:04the wedding
38:05dress fell
38:05away on
38:06its own.
38:07I was so
38:08happy that
38:08entire night.
38:11But early
38:12the next
38:12morning,
38:13at Jane
38:14squeezed
38:14through the
38:14gap between
38:15the door
38:15and frame
38:16in a
38:16panic.
38:19Mrs.
38:20Keenan,
38:20bad news!
38:21Still
38:22getting used
38:22to the
38:23new title,
38:24I smiled
38:25awkwardly.
38:26She seemed
38:26to be
38:27adjusting
38:27faster than
38:28I was.
38:30Catching
38:31her breath,
38:32she went
38:32on.
38:33Steven took
38:33your mother's
38:34urn from
38:34the Hollies
38:35home.
38:37He told
38:38Wendell that
38:38if you don't
38:39show up,
38:40he'll destroy
38:41it.
38:42It was
38:43inevitable.
38:44I said a
38:44quick goodbye
38:45to Dominic and
38:45left the
38:46Keenan's
38:46home.
38:47Just as
38:48I'd
38:49expected.
38:50To
38:51avenge his
38:51parents'
38:52awful
38:52deaths,
38:53Wendell had
38:54laid an
38:54airtight trap
38:55meant just
38:56for me.
38:57The moment
38:58I stepped
38:59into the
38:59main hall,
39:00every
39:01corpse
39:01buster in
39:02the room
39:02raised their
39:03weapons.
39:04The air
39:05was thick
39:06with tension,
39:07one of
39:08them
39:08not.
39:09Whatever
39:09you are,
39:11you're not
39:11leaving
39:12today.
39:14Wendell
39:15watched me
39:15from across
39:16the room.
39:17Pain and
39:18hate were
39:18mixed in
39:19his eyes.
39:20Veronica,
39:22why did
39:22you kill
39:23my parents?
39:24All I
39:25did was
39:25find another
39:26way to
39:26keep you
39:27with me.
39:28What was
39:29so wrong
39:30with that?
39:31Beside him,
39:32Darlene
39:32stirred the
39:33pot.
39:34Del,
39:35have the
39:35corpse
39:35busters
39:36finish her!
39:38for Craig
39:39and
39:40Carmen!
39:42Dad and
39:43Betsy
39:43echoed her.
39:44You're a
39:45corpse now,
39:46Veronica.
39:48To stop
39:49you from
39:49hurting anyone
39:50else,
39:51you need
39:51to be put
39:51to rest
39:52for good.
39:54For a
39:55split second,
39:56Wendell
39:57looked torn.
39:58Then,
39:58thinking of
39:59his parents,
40:00his expression
40:01hardened.
40:01He said
40:02to the
40:02corpse
40:02busters,
40:03Do it.
40:04I looked
40:05around at
40:05the circle
40:06of so-called
40:07masters
40:07and almost
40:08laughed.
40:10You've
40:10been here
40:10for days.
40:11Haven't
40:12any of
40:12you felt
40:13something
40:13off?
40:14Not even
40:15a little?
40:16The
40:16corpse
40:16busters
40:17poised
40:17to strike
40:18exchanged
40:19uneasy
40:19glances.
40:20Dad
40:21put on
40:21a
40:21heartbroken
40:22face.
40:23You
40:23wicked
40:23girl!
40:24You're
40:25already
40:25dead!
40:26Don't
40:27try to
40:27stall!
40:28Just
40:28accept
40:29your
40:29fate!
40:30He
40:30even
40:31wiped
40:31away
40:31a
40:31fake
40:32tear.
40:33Wendell
40:33sneered.
40:34Your
40:35time
40:35ends
40:36here
40:36today,
40:36Veronica.
40:37No one
40:38seemed
40:38to
40:38notice
40:39the
40:39flash
40:39of
40:39panic
40:40on
40:40Darlene's
40:41face.
40:43She
40:43shouted,
40:44her voice
40:44tight with
40:45anxiety.
40:46Del!
40:46Now!
40:49Before
40:50it's too
40:50late!
40:51Hearing her,
40:53the corpse
40:53busters
40:53lunged at
40:54me,
40:55chanting,
40:56Janine shot
40:57from my
40:57pocket.
40:58In a few
40:59quick moves,
41:00she frozen
41:01every single
41:02one of them
41:02where they
41:02stood.
41:05I
41:06turned a
41:06cold gaze
41:07on a
41:07shocked
41:08Wendell.
41:10Then
41:11on
41:11Dad,
41:12who was
41:12shielding
41:12Darlene
41:13behind
41:13him.
41:15You
41:16really
41:16think the
41:16life-swapping
41:17ritual worked?
41:18That I'm
41:19a corpse
41:19now?
41:20You
41:20talented
41:21corpse
41:21busters
41:22should be
41:22ashamed.
41:24You
41:25can't
41:25even
41:26tell
41:26who's
41:26alive
41:26and
41:27who's
41:27dead.
41:29I
41:30gave
41:30a
41:30slight
41:30wave
41:31of
41:31my
41:31hand.
41:31I
41:32used
41:32a
41:32trick
41:32Dominic
41:32had
41:33taught
41:33me.
41:34The
41:34lights
41:35in the
41:35vast
41:35living
41:35room
41:36dimmed.
41:37The
41:37frozen
41:38corpse
41:38busters
41:38eyes
41:39widened
41:40in
41:40sudden,
41:41dawning
41:41horror.
41:42How
41:43can
41:43this
41:44be?
41:45No,
41:46it's
41:46impossible.
41:48Furious,
41:49Wendell
41:49demanded to
41:50know what
41:50I'd
41:50done
41:50to
41:51them.
41:51I
41:52smiled.
41:53I
41:53was
41:53finally
41:54ready to
41:54speak
41:55the
41:55truth
41:55I'd
41:55buried
41:56for
41:56years.
41:57Wendell,
41:58the
41:58life
41:58swapping
41:59ritual
41:59is
42:00real,
42:01but
42:01I
42:01used
42:02it
42:02three
42:02years
42:02ago.
42:04You
42:05are
42:05the
42:05corpse
42:05groom
42:06I
42:06brought
42:06back.
42:07You
42:08died
42:08in
42:08that
42:08crash.
42:12I
42:13cut
42:13a
42:13paper
42:13figure
42:14and
42:14staged
42:15the
42:15ritual
42:15to
42:15trick
42:16the
42:16Grim
42:16Reaper.
42:19I
42:19pulled
42:19you
42:20back,
42:20Dad,
42:21Betsy.
42:22You
42:22were
42:22both
42:22badly
42:23hurt
42:23too,
42:24like
42:24Craig
42:24and
42:24Carmen.
42:25I
42:26used
42:26a
42:26witch's
42:26art,
42:27substituting
42:28goat hearts
42:28and kidneys.
42:30That's the only reason you're still alive.
42:33I did everything I could to bring you all back, and in return, you want to destroy
42:38me.
42:42Jackson came the most desperate move of all, forced Jessie to terminate the pregnancy, and
42:48even had someone deliver the medical record to me. Stained at the corners with fresh
42:53blood, I was disgusted. Around that time, Jordan started grooming me as the next successor
42:59of the Fletcher group, and the first challenge I set for myself was to bring down the Stainberg
43:05group. After a series of calculated strikes, their stock plummeted. I seized the opportunity
43:12and bought up shares at rock bottom prices, completely catching Jackson off guard. Backed into a corner and on the
43:21verge of bankruptcy, Jackson finally caved. He agreed to the divorce after the Friday market closed. We were finally officially
43:30divorced.
43:33The corpse buster swallowed hard before going on.
43:47And she'd face punishment for it.
43:49Mr. Hickman, it's true. You, Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, you've been dead all along.
44:00I arched an eyebrow. Maybe I'd underestimated those corpse busters. A few of them actually knew what they were talking
44:09about. Still struggling to believe it, Wendell grabbed Darlane's arm.
44:14Darla, look at me! Am I dead?
44:21Darlane fell silent. Just then, a familiar voice spoke up for me.
44:27Del, Vera is telling the truth.
44:30Craig and Carmen stood there. The Grim Reaper was beside them.
44:34Seeing them, Wendell, Dad, and Betsy went weak. They sank to the floor.
44:39Betsy shot Dad a look. He nodded. He clutched my arm, a desperate hope lighting his eyes.
44:44Vera, I'm sorry. I was wrong about you. I don't want to die yet. Please, think of something. Let me
44:53live for decades more.
44:55I pulled my hand away. I gave a faint smile.
44:59There's nothing I can do now. The moment you decided to trade me for Darlene, I couldn't keep the secret
45:05any longer.
45:07You, Betsy, and Darlene, you're the perfect family of three, aren't you?
45:12You can be together again in hell.
45:14Dad and Betsy were seized by the Grim Reaper.
45:19Their heart-ranking screams faded quickly into nothing.
45:25Meanwhile, Wendell stared in shock at his parents. His eyes turned red.
45:30Mom. Dad. You're back.
45:36Craig and Carmen took his hands.
45:40Then they turned to glare at Darlene, furious.
45:43Del, you fool! You shouldn't have saved Darlene. She killed us!
45:49What a shame.
45:51Vera did everything to protect us for three years.
45:54And you hurt her for this wretch's sake.
45:57Face the truth, Del.
45:58Wendell clenched his fists.
46:01He looked up.
46:02His eyes fixed on me.
46:05After a long moment, two tears rolled from beneath his closed lidds.
46:10When he opened them again, he seemed to have come to terms with it.
46:15He walked slowly toward me.
46:17Then he dropped to his knees.
46:18He looked up with a plea in his eyes.
46:21Vera, I'm sorry.
46:23This was my fault.
46:26I hurt you.
46:28I can't even imagine how much it broke you.
46:31When you found out I was going to trade you for Darlene.
46:35Vera, is it true?
46:37Will you be in danger now that the truth is out?
46:41Don't worry.
46:43This time, I'll be the one to protect you.
46:47I asked him what he meant to do.
46:49But he only smiled without answering.
46:52As he got to his feet, he moved as if to kiss me like he used to.
46:57I showed him the wedding ring on my finger.
47:01You have someone to protect me now.
47:03Stay away, Wendell.
47:05A complicated mix of feelings flashed through his eyes when he saw the ring.
47:10Finally, he bent down.
47:12He pressed a trembling kiss to my shadow on the floor.
47:16The gesture was full of affection and lingering regret.
47:19I'm sorry.
47:22Now, Darlene, Craig, and Carmen had all been taken by the At Grim Reaper.
47:28Only Wendell remained.
47:30Just before he was taken, he began to chant.
47:33The onlookers gasped.
47:34Lonela, you'll find out.
47:36A replacement spell.
47:41How does he know that?
47:43He's taking on Miss Aaronica's punishment.
47:47Janine, perched on my shoulder, let out a soft, playful caw.
47:52Larry ran into Wendell once by chance and taught him that spell.
47:57Said it might come in handy someday.
48:00So that was it.
48:02The spell took effect immediately.
48:04Starting from his feet, flames crept upward until they engulfed him completely.
48:09When they reached his neck, fighting through the soul-deep pain, he asked me with a strained smile,
48:15Vera, if there's a next life, will you give me a chance to make it up to you?
48:21Until the fire burned him to ash, I never gave an answer.
48:29When something was over, it was over.
48:33With love gone, was a promise for another life really necessary?
48:39Don't hurry.
48:39You are sorry.
48:40You are sorry.
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