The beginning of curse: 1814.
Entire Mayfair, The queen and even the bride noticed what happened when the bangle fell on the floor, and both the groom and the bride's sister kneeled down to pick it up. The groom slowly picked it up and placed it on the bride's sister's outstretching palm. The second their hands touched, both looked into each other's eyes, and the pure love that was hidden in their eyes for each other was now suddenly out there for everyone to see.
The next moment, chaos erupted as the bride ran away with her mother, sister, and groom following behind her.
They barely made it outside when everyone heard loud and clear as the bride accused her sister of betrayal. "You always resent me! You resent my youth! My beauty! You even resent me for getting this new life, and you could not stand it! You seduced my fiancée like a shameless harlot!"
"Edwina! How can you accuse me of such things!? Everything I did was for your and Mama's security and happiness! How could you accuse me of ever resenting you when I gave up all my dreams for you, and I will do it all over again because you are my sister?"
"Half sister! You are my half sister and nothing more!" The bride shouted as her sister gasped.
"Miss Edwina!" The groom angrily began, but before he could say anything, the bride's mother enveloped her in her arms, as she said. "Calm down, Edwina; let's go somewhere private; we cannot let your feelings destroy your future."
They were about to leave when someone called them. "Mama?" The bride's mother turned to stare at her other daughter with anger and disappointment in her eyes. "Leave Kathani! Go anywhere because your presence here will only bring pain to your sister."
Kate gasps as her family all but disowns her. "Kate, I am so sorry." The groom began with a remorseful voice, but before he knew it, everyone joined them, and they were all staring at them with the same disappointing glances. Kate shook her head and moved to leave as a few whispers reached her ears.
"Shameless! Harlot! Disgrace! Seducer!"
Anthony was getting furious as Ton accused Kate. He was about to follow Kate, but his mother grabbed his hand. "You cannot leave after her! Think of our family! Think of scandal!"
"Is that what you care about?!?" Anthony desperately yells at her mother, who tearfully shakes her head. "Please, son, just listen to me."
"No!' Daphne stepped forward and pulled her brother away. "He has done enough for our family; now let him follow his heart!" Anthony embraced his sister and left as Daphne defended him and Kate to everyone who accused them.
As he rushed outside, the bright sunny day was now turning into thunderstorms, and to his horror, he saw Kate riding at full speed towards the woods. Grabbing the horse from nearby, he began the chase, praying to catch up with her in time.
"Kate! Kate! Please slow down!" He pleads as he rides at full speed, and then once again he sees a hedge in front of Kate's path. "Kate, don't do it!"
But when does she ever listen to him? He watched with horrified eyes how Kate forced the horse to make that jump, and the beast refused her command as she was thrown off its back. Her head hit the stone, and that cracked noise was able to reach Anthony's ears despite the thundering sound. "No! No! Kate!"
He rode closer before jumping off his horse as he rushed by Kate. The first thing he noticed was so much blood seeping from the back of her head. Kate's eyes were barely open, but she was smiling at him. "You came for me."
"Of course I came. Just hang on; I will get help." He helplessly looked around but found no one in sight. "Help! Somebody, please help us!" He cried out, feeling scared for the life he loved more than anything. "It's alright, Anthony; it's over now." Kate says it peacefully as she caresses his cheek. "No! No! Please do not say that! You will survive, and I swear, as long as I exist, I will fill your life with love and happiness!"
Kate's eyes watered as her face began to pale. "I wish we had a chance to follow our hearts, but I promise that in my next life, my heart will be yours." Anthony was shaking in tears as he kissed Kate's forehead. "We will have our chance! I promise!" But as he lifted his face, he realised Kate was not moving as she lay still, her face peaceful, her eyes fixed on his face forever. "Kate? Kate?"
Her hand slipped from his and fell lifelessly on the wet ground, and it was then that Anthony roared out in pain. He did not know how long he cried as he held the woman he loved. Suddenly, he felt someone presence nearby as a hand clutched his shoulder.
"Oh brother! I am so sorry!" He finally lifted his face and saw Daphne kneeling beside him as rain soaked her completely. Daphne never thought she would see her brother like this, but in that moment, the agony in his eyes chilled her to the bone.
Before she could understand it, Anthony picked Kate up in his arms and rushed towards the carriage, leaving her behind. "Anthony stop!' But the carriage was gone, and feeling more scared than ever, Daphne managed to find one of the horses and began to follow her carriage.
It was extremely hard to ride as the weather turned worse, and it took time, but somehow she was able to find her way back. By the time she arrived at the chapel, her horse stopped midway as she watched with horror as lightning hit the place, sparking a fire, and at the same time, ear-splitting screams reached her ears—screams that neither she nor anyone else will ever forget. Screams of agony from broken hearts that Daphne Bridgerton Hastings will remember until her dying breath.