Chapter 3 Getting Married

Kiera smiled scornfully at Brad. "We are done. Everything in this place was bought with my own money, which means I have every right to take it all with me."

Brad had read the message she sent the night before, but he hadn't given it much thought. She had pulled stunts like this more than once. The only new twist was that she had blocked his number afterward-something she had never dared before.

Even so, he wasn't the least bit worried. In his mind, she could never truly cut ties with him. A little coaxing, a few sweet words, and she would be back at his side, eager to please like a loyal puppy.

Softening his voice, he reached for her hand. "You're still upset about yesterday, aren't you? That was my fault. I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again. Just trust me, okay?"

Kiera glared at him, disgusted. She jerked her hand away, pulled a disinfectant wipe from her bag, and scrubbed her fingers as though she were erasing something filthy.

She didn't utter a word, but her actions were sharper than any insult.

Brad stiffened. Then he growled in a low, threatening voice, "Do you really have to put on a show? People are watching. Cut it out!"

Kiera laughed briefly, bitterly. "Are you hard of hearing? I said we're done. Should I hire an airplane to fly a banner across the sky?"

One of the movers chuckled. behind them, unable to suppress the laughter.

Brad scowled. "Fine. Move out if you must. But mark my words-if you walk out of this door today, don't bother coming back. We'll be over for good."

Ignoring him entirely, Kiera turned to the movers. "Keep going, everyone! The quicker you finish, the larger your tip will be!"

In less than half an hour, the house was nearly emptied of everything, not even a single chair left behind.

Brad stood in the barren living room. He couldn't help but chuckle dryly, furious and stunned. He would wait and see just how long she could last on her own this time.

By one o'clock sharp, Kiera reached the City Hall.

At the entrance stood a tall figure, waiting. Jasper, dressed in an impeccably cut suit, looked as if he had walked straight out of a luxury boutique display. Every line of his body carried more strength and authority than any mannequin could hope to project.

Kiera strode toward him gracefully. "Have you been waiting long?"

Jasper gave a small shake of his head. "No. I just arrived."

"Then... shall we go in?"

"Of course."

Not long after, Kiera stepped out again, her mind reeling. She had really married a complete stranger.

She drew out her phone. "Give me your number. I have some matters to take care of first, but I'll come find you later."

Jasper tapped his contact details into her phone and, before stepping away, said quietly, "If it gets too much for you, you can let me know."

The simple words made Kiera pause. An unfamiliar warmth spread slowly through her chest.

She knew well that he could never truly solve her problems, yet it had been so long since anyone had spoken to her with such concern.

"Alright," she muttered, a faint smile touching her lips before they parted ways.

Half an hour later, Kiera was back at her family home.

It wasn't truly home to her. She had to linger outside the gates while the butler went in to report her arrival. Only after permission was granted was she allowed to enter.

Even before she reached the door, bursts of laughter from her uncle's household floated out to meet her.

The moment she stepped inside, the cheerful atmosphere froze.

Kiera, unfazed, marched straight to Vance Gordon and held out her marriage certificate.

"Uncle Vance, I'm married now. You once made me a promise; shouldn't you be honoring it?"