Chapter 2 Her Husband

Sandra's face darkened instantly.

Back then, in order to cut off any connection with Maia, the Morgans had forced her to sign a severance document - with a representative from the Cooper Group as witness, just to clear their name from any future accusations.

It had been an act of desperation, not dignity.

A swarm of reporters rushed in, shoving microphones toward Sandra. "Mrs. Morgan, is this true? You once said you wouldn't abandon Maia, that she was still your daughter even after reuniting with your biological child."

Trying to keep her composure, Sandra mustered a smile that barely held. "That's... not true. Of course not."

With a sly grin, Maia said, "So, Mrs. Morgan, do you have the nerve to call someone from the Cooper Group and find out if that severance document exists or not?"

"Maia, don't go too far! The people from the Cooper Group aren't someone we can just summon at will!" Jarrod shouted, his anger flaring from the sidelines.

With a smug tilt of her brow, Maia glanced his way. "So you're admitting you won't call them."

Jarrod was left speechless.

The image they had worked so hard to maintain was starting to fall apart, and Sandra scrambled to play the sympathy card. Her body shook with a sudden cough, loud and dramatic.

Catching on quickly, Rosanna hurried to her mother's side and rubbed her back in gentle circles. "Mom, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Her gaze then shifted to Maia, filled with exaggerated grievance. "She's been worried sick ever since you were locked up. She cries every night, Maia. The doctor warned us that her health is getting worse. And if you still care - even a little - for everything she did for you growing up, don't make this harder. Just come back with us."

Maia felt nauseated by Rosanna's pretentious act.

Come back with them? Those words used to bring comfort to her. But now, they meant nothing anymore.

The last thing she wanted was to get caught up with them again.

There was no mistaking the resolve etched across her face. "That girl you all knew - she died four years ago. And the Morgans were the ones who buried her."

Maia said her piece, then strode through the crowd and walked away without looking back.

The moment she was gone, Sandra dropped to the ground, putting on a show of sobs like her heart had just shattered.

She took a dramatic, deep breath before collapsing in a faint.

Panic erupted instantly as gasps and shouts filled the scene.

Wasting no time, Jarrod lifted Sandra into his arms, while Rosanna trailed right behind him.

The second the car doors shut and the cameras were behind them, Sandra's eyes snapped open, and she straightened up without effort.

Had she not faked that collapse, everything might've unraveled beyond repair.

This whole mess, in her mind, traced back to one person - Maia.

They had shown up at the prison, making a public effort to welcome her back with grace. And how did she respond? By dragging the entire Morgan name through the dirt in front of a crowd.

There wasn't a single ounce of gratitude in that girl.

"She's outrageous! We gave her everything and she turns on us like this!" Jarrod cursed angrily, gripping the steering wheel.

The warmth in Sandra's face vanished, replaced by a sudden chill in her eyes.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "No money. A criminal record that sticks to her like glue. She's got nothing to her name. Without us, she's done. There's no doubt Maia will return - and when she does, I'll have more than enough ways to handle her!"

...

Later that afternoon, Maia stood alone in front of City Hall in Wront, with some documents required for marriage registration in her handbag.

There was still time before her appointment, so she leaned casually against a tree, eyes downcast, thoughts drifting far from the present.

Back when she first stepped into prison four years ago, the torment seemed relentless, etched into every corner of her memory.

One night, when she was nearly beaten within an inch of her life, someone had stepped in to save her.

It wasn't a guard. It was a woman - an inmate with more influence than anyone else. Her cell looked more like a private suite, and even the correctional officers stayed out of her way.

Most inmates feared her and kept far out of her path.

But for some reason, she had taken an interest in Maia. She offered protection - but it came with a condition. If Maia wanted that safety, she had to accept a marriage agreement and carry out a task afterward.

Back then, trapped in a nightmare with no way out, Maia had no room to refuse. Survival meant sacrifice.

Without hesitation, she agreed to the deal and pledged her loyalty to the woman who'd saved her.

Fulfilling that promise had become her top priority now that she was free. That meant going through with the marriage agreement she'd accepted in prison.

Not far away, a stretch Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked in the shadows.

"Is that the one your aunt picked for you to marry, sir?" asked Brad Curtis, Chris Cooper's special assistant.

The view through the car window revealed a woman with lowered eyes and a slim frame.

Dressed in a plain white shirt and low-rise jeans, she moved with ease. When she stretched, her slim waist showed for just a moment.

There was a boldness in her silence. An edge of defiance that didn't ask for approval.

Pretty as she was, her past carried a criminal record that couldn't be ignored.

Brad couldn't understand why Zoey Cooper had pushed for this match. What could she possibly see in a woman who had served time?

Even more puzzling was the fact that Chris hadn't objected.

Reclining in the back seat, Chris rested his arm with easy confidence, his rolled-up sleeve showing off a well-toned forearm.

His eyes, narrowed slightly, settled on the woman's exposed waist, and an amused glint danced across his face.

Without a word, he shoved the car door open and stepped out.

"Are you Miss Maia Watson?"

Maia turned when she heard someone call her name.

She stood still for a second, caught off guard.

A man in a fitted black shirt stood before her, tall enough to block the sun from her face.

He looked unreal. Handsome in a way that made her pause. Each feature flawless, almost sculpted.

Could this really be the illegitimate son of the Cooper family Zoey had mentioned? The one with a bad reputation and a trail of reckless rumors following him?

A flicker of discomfort ran through her chest. "Are you... Mr. Chris Cooper?" she asked, uncertain.

He gave her a small nod.

Her eyes wandered back to him, studying every detail. His clothes were simple, but something refined clung to him. That faint smile hovered on his lips, never quite touching his eyes, leaving just enough mystery to stir her curiosity.

"You've been staring for a while now, Miss Watson." Chris let out a soft laugh.

Snapping out of it, Maia quickly turned her head, realizing just how obvious she'd been.

"My bad... Should we head inside?" she asked, trying to recover.

Together, they made their way into City Hall. When they came back out, a marriage certificate rested in Chris' hand.

"I'll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey's request is fulfilled, I won't stick around. I'll file for divorce right after," Maia said.

Feelings weren't part of their arrangement, and she wasn't delusional. Most men wouldn't sign up for a life with someone who had a prison record.

Chris tilted his head, casting her a look. Her dark hair danced in the breeze, and while her face was striking, there was something clear and honest in her eyes.

Instead of answering her directly, he asked, "Is my aunt doing okay in there?"

Thrown off by the change in topic, Maia answered quickly, "She's healthy. Nothing bad has happened to her."

After a short pause, she pressed her lips together.

Truth be told, Zoey didn't just survive in prison - she thrived.

It was practically her comfort zone.

"Glad to hear it." Chris didn't ask anything more. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a sleek credit card, and handed it to her. "Here. A little something to welcome you in."

Maia shook her head, hands raised in protest. "That's not necessary. I've got my own money."

Sure, they were now legally married, but it was still their first day meeting. And from what Zoey had shared, Chris might've had the Cooper name, but he was treated like an outsider. His standing in the family and at the Cooper Group was practically nonexistent.

From what she'd heard, he held no serious job title and spent most days drifting aimlessly.

She figured that he probably didn't have much saved up either.

The thought of accepting anything from him made her uncomfortable.

But Chris didn't waver. He took her hand, placed the card firmly in her palm, and didn't let go.

His eyes locked onto hers - cool, enigmatic, and impossible to read.

"We just completed the marriage registration, which technically makes me your husband now. That gives you every right to use my money. Or is it that you're turning it down because you're not ready to admit I'm your husband?"

Hearing that word - husband - sent a faint flush across Maia's otherwise composed features.

"I'm not saying that..." Maia began, trying to explain, but her voice trailed off before she could land on the right words.

Without another word, she took the card and gave him a quiet, polite thank you.

Seeing her relent, Chris showed a smile of approval. "So, where are you heading? I'll give you a ride."

At that moment, a weight settled in Maia's chest. Her plan was to return to the Morgan family home.

It wasn't the house she cared about. What mattered was the bracelet - the last gift to her from her grandmother, Vicki Morgan.

Back when Richard and Sandra treated her like an afterthought, Vicki had been the one constant. She had taught Maia everything from table manners to standing tall in a crowd.

Though no blood tied them together, Vicki's love had been as real as any grandmother's.

Maia knew, without doubt, that if Vicki had still been alive, she would've defended her with everything she had.

That thought brought a quiet ache Maia didn't show.

Still, she shook it off and gave Chris a calm smile. "There's something I need to handle, Mr. Cooper. I'll be fine on my own."

"No problem. Just call if you need anything."

He handed her his number, then stayed behind as she walked off.

When her silhouette finally disappeared around the corner, he glanced down at the marriage certificate still in his hand. A knowing smile curved his lips.

Divorce? Not happening.

Nobody could guess how long he'd been waiting for this moment.