Chapter17 Defaming me

I felt my knees locked tight together. I didn't see the pictures clearly, but I'm sure it's from that same night where Luke tried to convince me to have a physical relationship with him.
But before he could show him their pictures, Zuriel quickly took them and tore them away in pieces and threw them in Lucas' face.
Zuriel grabbed him by his collar and punched him over his nose, making him bleed.
Ivaan also charged towards Lucas, and pulled him up by his collar and punched him again.
"You should be very grateful to me that I'm saving you from that characterless bitch," he screamed, pointing at me, and now at the time my patience broke.
I could have charged towards him to hit him, but I grabbed his arm and stopped him. I put my hand over Zuriel's making, making Lucas free from his grip.
Now, I stand in front of him.
"So, what did you say about me? I'm characterless," I questioned.
He smirked while wiping away the blood that was over his nose and leaned towards me.
"You know what, you dared to slap me that day at the club, so now I'm exacting my vengeance on you," he said quietly to me, so that only I could hear him.
And I raised my hand and slapped him as hard as I could, making him fall over the floor.
"You deserve this slap," I hissed, kneeling down beside him.
"But you can't deny the fact that you kissed me and we made love that night in the club," he said to me while glancing at Mr. Jared Richardson.
"What the hell is this all, Brille?" I never expected this from you," Zuriel's dad said, shaking his head looking at me.
"He's lying, nothing happened between us that night," tears welled up in my eyes. I always admire Mr. Jared Richardson, Zuriel's father; he's like a father to me, but today he didn't believe in me.
I can't believe that this is happening here.
"Dad, it's her past, just like that I also have a past. There is nothing wrong, dad. The most important thing is that we are getting married, and she doesn't have anything to do with him now, so please just don't drag this matter any more," Zuriel said to him, standing but facing his father, with his back to me.
"But Zuriel, she slept with him," Zuriel's mom chirped at him, narrowing her eyes at me.
All Luke did was blame me for something I never did: I'm still virgin. I've never slept with a man because I always wanted to give my virginity to my husband. I always wanted my husband to be my first and last in everything.
"He's lying to Mrs. Richardson," I murmured.
"Mom, I also slept with many girls, so what does it mean now that I'm also tainted and characterless?" Zuriel questioned them.
They both looked at each other. Zuriel's mom quickly approached me.
"I'm so sorry, Brielle, I didn't understand you because I'm a woman; I'm so sorry," he cupped my face.
I shook my head, "Please don't apologize, it's not your mistake," I said.
"Did you forgive us?" she asked, holding my hands. I looked at Zuriel's father, who was also looking down at the floor, probably angry that he questioned my character.
"Yes," I said, and she hugged me with the biggest smile I'd ever seen.
My grandfather said to the guard, and they dragged Lucas away.
"Start the marriage," Zuriel told the priest and put his hand over my first, making me flinch
He's behaving so weird today. I know he was never so caring. If he didn't like me and neither did I, then why is he behaving like he cares so much for me?
"With the authority bestowed upon me by the, I now pronounce you husbandand wife.You may kiss the bride."
My eyes widened, kissing, and Zuriel
No, mother earth, please swallow me. This is too much. Should I run away now?
No no, what the heck I was thinking it's too late now, but this all is not happening please someone saves me
I could feel my legs wobbling. I was about to fall, but I looked at Zuriel, who had just caught me, as he was already holding me by my waist.
I kept looking at him, and I think I just saw softness in his eyes for me.
He leaned towards me, and I closed my eyes and let it happen.
Emotional damage has already happened with this marriage. What is more to bear now?
But suddenly, something happened. Hundreds of butterflies started running into my tummy.
As soon as his soft lips come in contact with mine.
I looked at him when he pulled away from me. Still in a trance of that kiss, I kept looking at his lips, with my eyes half-closed.
I just don't know, but that kiss was so amazing, it melted my heart. All the hatred I have for him suddenly faded away, even for some seconds.
Suddenly, people started coming towards us, congratulating me and Zuriel.
I glanced at Zuried, who was standing beside me. His face was so cold, without any emotions.
I should thank him. He saved me today. He saved my honor. He saved me from getting tainted.
Maybe I misunderstood him, heifer, and he's not as bad as I thought.
Before I could speak further, he went away from me, going towards his dad.
"Bri," I quickly turned around and found Ivaan there. He quickly hugged me.
"I'm so sorry you've had to go through this, Luke," his eyes hardened and his jaw clenched when he heard the name Luke.
"Don't worry bro, I don't think he'll ever come back after what happened here," I murmured, looking away from Zuriel, who was talking to his father about something.
"But seriously, that was too much. I just want to kill the bastard Luke," Ivaan gritted.
"It's okay, bro, leave it," I put my hand over his shoulder, rubbing his arm to calm him down.
"But, what Zuriel did today is so unexpected, isn't it?" I started looking at Zuriel. He really shocked me today. I never knew that he could do this too for me.
Ivaan shook his head, his gaze fixed on Zuriel.
I bit my lips and frowned at my brother. He was talking like he knew Zuriel already and hated him so much. I could see it in his eyes, the hatred for my husband.
"Why do you hate him? What did he do to you?" I asked him.
I'm sure they both know something and are hiding it from me, but it never seems like Zuriel and Ivaan are strangers since starting
There is something that I can't see but is still in front of my eyes.