For Better And For Worse
Chapter 80

DOTTAN.

This morning, around 10 a.m., Séverin went to the hospital to pick up Isabelle and took her to a wedding dress store. He himself chose a few models that he liked and Isabelle tried them on. He finds one that fits her perfectly and buys it for her. They then go to a jewelry store and he buys her the best and pretty jewelry. He wants to see her in all her glory that day. After that, they go back to her house.

Séverin: the wedding is in a few days so I want you to get ready, put away all your things because you are going to live with me.

Isabelle: I can’t leave Stella alone?

Séverin: she can come and live with us if she wants. Conversely, too bad for her. And I don’t want you to bring any photos of your late husband.

Isabelle: okay.

Isabelle’s phone rings.

Isabelle: it’s Doctor Charles, I have to go back to the hospital immediately!

Séverin: well let’s go!

So he takes her back to the hospital.

MEXICO

Fighting club.

Tonight is the biggest fight we’ve ever had in this club. Kung speaks with Fing.

Kung: are you ready?

Fing: As always.

Kung: I plan to bet $100,000 so bring me all this money.

Fing: I have the impression that you are losing confidence in me?

Kung: no, not at all, I trust you so kick his a*s.

In another room, Gordjo is talking with Krist too, Shan was there too, but he doesn’t really know how to tell Krist that he had lost his wife’s number.

Gordjo: remember what you are fighting for and win this fight for me.

Shan: this bastard humiliated me last night Krist, he took my money and everything I had in my pocket.

He looks at Krist and the latter also looks at him and understands. The commentator announces Jin Fing who comes on stage to the screams of the crowd. He then announces Krist who also enters the ring. The bets are open. Kung and Gordjo bet $100,000 against each other. The fight could begin. 1st round, Krist is just learning by just dodging Fing’s blows even if he receives a few. The first round ends and after a few minutes of break, the second round begins and there, Krist gets much more involved in the fight. So they had a draw at the end of the round. In the third round, Krist almost won the fight but Fing was saved by the end of time. The fourth round begins a few minutes later and Fing changed his technique, Krist having already prepared for it, almost won again. Fing changed his technique again in the fifth round but it was nothing new for Krist because Shan had already prepared him for that. So, Fing had no chance. However, he resists until the end of the round. In the 6th round, Fing combined two techniques at once and got the upper hand on Krist. He almost won the battle but it signaled the end of the round. In the seventh round, everyone was really determined to win so they fought a close fight but it was a draw at the end of the round. Gordjo approaches him.

Gordjo: what are you playing at Krist, we’re not going to spend the whole night there. If you were able to overcome Barock, this is not the one who will surpass you. I want to see you win this round.

Shan: don’t just use what I taught you Krist, you also use your own techniques, you have to surprise him.

*

Kung: what’s happening to you Fing, are you fighting like a child? How were you able to go 7 rounds with this less than nothing? Now you’re going to get up and you’re going to beat the shit out of him.

The 8th round begins, they return to the ring. Krist thinks about his conviction, his life in prison, Gauthier who laughs at him, his deportation here, his wife who cried when she saw the prison on fire. Fing approaches and Krist turns as if he’s going to run away. Fing tries to chase him and he rolls to deliver a violent blow to Fing’s head with his shoe, who falls on his stomach, hitting his forehead seriously against the ground. He doesn’t move anymore. The referee counts from 10 to 0 but no reaction from Fing. So Krist’s hand is raised as the winner. Kung’s men come for Fing. Those who bet on Krist shout with joy and collect their winnings. Gordjo raised thousands of dollars that evening. Plus, he’s really proud of Krist. Shan comes to congratulate and thank Krist because he himself had bet on him. Gordjo’s men take him home with his fighter. Krist is immediately taken care of by Gordjo’s nurses and masseuses.

A FEW DAYS LATER.

DOTTAN.

City hall.

This morning we are at the town hall of the town in the 8th arrondissement where the wedding of Célestin and Isabelle is taking place. Séverin had a few friends and uncles as witnesses, Isabelle had just her parents and Stella. Francis was there too. The wedding began, everyone said yes to the mayor’s question and the marriage was sealed after the bride and groom kissed. Many filmed them and so did Francis. From the town hall, they go to Séverin’s home. It is a large house with an indoor swimming pool and a garden. A small party has already started there while waiting for the reception party which takes place at the hotel in a few hours. Around 6 p.m., they went to the hotel for the reception. The bride and groom receive congratulations here and there and it is they who open the ceremony with a dance. Let’s not talk about food and drink. There weren’t too many guests so everyone ate and drank like it was the last time. Stella apologizes to Isabelle and comes home a little early. The party ends a little late and the bride and groom return to Séverin’s home. Francis was also at the reception and sends all the photos he had taken to Gordjo when he gets home.

Séverin’s home.

Once home, Séverin carries Isabelle in his arms to the bedroom. He wanted to spend his wedding night.

Isabelle: wait, what are you planning to do?

Séverin: spend my wedding night of course…

Isabelle: in your dreams Séverin. Tell me, did we marry for love?

Séverin: but of course, I love you very much.

Isabelle: maybe, but I don’t love you, you forced me to marry you so between you and me, I’m not your wife and you’re not my husband, I made myself understood ?

Séverin: stop with your gibberish and let me do it.

She gets up to leave.

Séverin: hey, come back here, Isabelle come back right away…

Isabelle: otherwise what? Listen to me very carefully, don’t forget that domestic violence is condemned by law so if you try to force me to do anything, you will regret marrying me. And don’t forget that I’m pregnant. Word to the wise, hello.

She leaves and comes back.

Isabelle: one last thing. My room will be separate and yours will be the same.

So she goes to another room and Séverin spends a sleepless wedding night. Early in the morning, Séverin goes to see Isabelle.

Séverin: hello darling.

Isabelle: hello.

Séverin: you are still in bed at this time, who will prepare breakfast?

Isabelle: who prepared it before?

Séverin: now I have a wife and it’s up to her to cook for me.

Isabelle: in your dreams. Sorry, I’m tired, let me sleep!

He had to go and cook himself and she served the meal to his wife who decided to eat alone in front of the TV and he also ate alone. She then gets ready and goes to work, Séverin does the same.

Once he arrives at work, Séverin receives a call from Bruno.

Séverin: yes, father-in-law!

Bruno: hello my son, how was the night?

Séverin: very good dad.

Bruno: ah, I’m happy. By the way, now that the condition for our collaboration has been fulfilled, I thought it would be time to formalize our collaboration.

Séverin: you are right. Starting tomorrow, I’m bringing in journalists and we’re going to sign this collaboration agreement.

Bruno: thank you my son.

So said, so done, tomorrow, the collaboration agreement between Séverin and his father-in-law was signed. In the evening, Isabelle followed it on TV.

Isabelle: um, dad, it was his plan all along to marry me to this guy. No, this man will never change. I have to pay him a little visit tomorrow morning.

Early tomorrow, Isabelle goes out without her husband’s knowledge and visits her father.

Bruno: Isabelle, hello my darling, how are you this morning?

Isabelle: It’s okay, dad. You are happy now han because you finally managed to achieve your goals.

Bruno: what are you talking about?

Isabelle: I watched the TV yesterday, Dad, and I saw your collaboration agreement signed with Séverin, that was your goal from the start, Dad. I have the impression that you joined forces with this Gauthier to send Krist to prison in order to replace him with Séverin.

Bruno: I will never do that my darling, you know that all I want is your happiness.

Isabelle: say instead that all you want are your interests…

Florence is arriving.

Florence: darling, you are here, hello!

Isabelle: hello mom.

Florence: what else is there?

Isabelle: no more lies, dad. You know what, you will never change. There’s no point in apologizing this time, I’ve had enough of your hypocritical excuses.

Florence: what’s going on darling?

Isabelle: Dad sold me to Séverin, Mom. The day before yesterday we got married and yesterday they signed a collaboration agreement.

Florence: honey, did you really do that?

Isabelle: They are still talking about it in all the media, you just have to watch television. Mom, tell your husband to never set foot in my house again and even if I have to go to hell for that, well I’m going.

She gets out and takes her motorbike to return home.

Florence: really, you disappoint me Bruno, you disappoint me enormously. You will never change, you never loved your daughter, not even a little, you really are cruel.

Séverin’s home.

Isabelle comes home and her husband approaches her.

Séverin: where were you?

Isabelle: does that concern you?

Séverin: It concerns me since I am your husband.

Isabelle: you’re the one who thinks you’re my husband, otherwise for me you’re not. Leave in front of me.

She pushes him onto the couch and goes to take a shower. She then gets dressed and eats breakfast prepared by her husband before leaving for work.