Still Breathing

Chapter 32: Run to you

Marley Pov

Present day Rehearsal Dinner

"Hey, I just saw Bucky. Are you okay?" I turn to see Clint coming towards me looking concerned. I don't even try to hide the tears.

Clint comes over and stoops in front of me. he takes a handkerchief from his inner pocket and dab at my cheeks. I knew this day would come when he would finally give up. I just didn't think it would hurt this bad.

There were so many times I wanted to stop him and tell him that he was enough and that I did love him. He has absolutely no idea how much I want to be his wife. But I cant. that thought cause me to spiral. I bend and place my face in my hands and weep.

"No. please don't cry. come on." Clint tries to soothe me. he rubs my arms and says, "hey hey, I know this is hard, but you have to get your head back in the game. Alright. There are a lot of people in there depending on you. this isn't just about you anymore."

I lift my head and take a breath. He says, "okay?"

I nod and he goes back to cleaning my face with his handkerchief. He allows me a few minutes to pull myself together, before helping me stand.

"Oh and we had to pull Yelena off the floor. she called one Stephens guest a dipshit. So Eve had her sent home. then I had to send Pietro home because he wanted to argue about why we couldn't just hire a bottle girl and pay her off to keep her quiet. It was a mess."

"Its fine. We got Killian at least. Romulus, I noticed isn't drinking and Barnes stopped after the 1st glass of champagne. We have to move on to plan B. please let Mrs. Barnes and Wanda know." I sigh loudly, I can't believe it didn't work."

Clint chuckles and I ask "What?"

He shrug and say, "I was kinda hoping operation red wedding worked."

We both laugh and its interrupted by Stephen. "What's going on?"

Clint steps forward and says, "nothing. A little argument between junior Barnes and Marley. But she's ok."

Stephen frowns as he assesses me and the situation. "well its safe to say the party is over. Adrich Killian is dead. He died of an overdose on the way to the hospital."

***

Clint walks me back into the hall with Stephen trailing behind us. the crowd has grown restless. From the look on everyone's faces, no one is having a good time. some have even begun to leave.

Clint helps me to my seat, and I watch as Stephen talks to a few of his colleagues. Then my eyes glides over to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. Mr. Barnes looks like if he had the strength he would jump over these tables and choke the life from me. I know that he knows something is going on. but I've made sure to keep him sick enough, that he cant do anything about it. he should be home in bed right now. but he is determined to see me to the alter.

His wife helps him stand. Now that I'm getting a good look at him, the last 6 months have not been good to him. he has lost weight; he is pale and looks like a gust of wind will easily knock him down.

Oh how the mighty has fallen. But apart of me is scared. He was supposed to die tonight. Mrs., Barnes, and Eve has been slowly poisoning him since Christmas. So when he does die, it will look like an accident.

The champagne Yelena was serving was laced specifically for those 3 men. It was the last of my painkillers. I spent 6 months in the worst pain of my life, to save them, just for this. and it wasn't enough.

Mr. Barnes and I don't break eye contact as his wife gather her things. He knows.

Before he turns to leave, I smile at him despite my fear. If things don't work out and he comes back and kills me. at least he will know, I almost took him down. I let my smile say, yes, it was me.