Chapter 1 Getting Herself A New Husband On the wedding day, just when everything seemed perfect, disaster struck as the bride and her cousin unexpectedly plunged into a pool in the backyard.

Water erupted with a sharp splash.

Kiera Gordon flailed beneath the surface, her chest tight with panic. Through stinging eyes, she caught sight of Brad Davies, her groom, sprinting to the edge before diving in, suit and tie forgotten.

For a fleeting moment, relief softened her panic, and she reached out with trembling arms.

Yet Brad never even paused for her. He cut through the water like an arrow, heading straight for Maddie Gordon, Kiera's cousin. Cradling Maddie close, he dragged her safely to shore, never sparing his bride a single glance.

Her eyes went wide with shock, and Kiera screamed until her throat burned, "Brad! Help! I'm over here! You-"

The words drowned with her as water surged down her throat. Her final glimpse was Brad carryingMaddie to safety, never once turning to see her.

Hopelessness dragged her under. She couldn't swim. The wedding gown, heavy with soaked fabric, pulled her deeper, suffocating her like an anchor. Her vision dimmed as the fight slipped out of her body.

From the shadows of the pool, another figure cut toward her, strong and unhesitating. Arms wrapped around her, pulling her to the surface.

She felt air forced into her lungs, the rhythm of steady hands pressing against her chestuntil a violent cough ripped her back to life.

Her lashes flickered, and through the blur, she saw sunlight blazing behind the stranger who had saved her, making him appear almost ethereal in that moment.

Her lips quivered. Weak, but honest, she whispered, "Thank you... I'll find a way to repay you."

He paused, brushing a bead of water from her skin.His voice rumbled low, certain, and unyielding. "I don't need it. What matters is that you're alive."

By then, the backyard had filled with shocked guests, their cries carrying through the chaos. While all eyes were on the commotion, Kiera's savior slipped away, vanishing as if he had never been there.

Later that night, Kiera opened her eyesin a hospital room.

She was alone; Brad hadnever come.

Her phone vibrated.

The screen lit up with a photo from Maddie-Brad seated at her bedside, peeling an apple with a tenderness Kiera hadn't witnessed from him in ages. It seemed that Brad was at the hospital, but not for her.

Kiera let out a bitter laugh, the sound scraping her throat while tears streamed freely down her face.

They had once been the couple everyone envied, bound together since childhood and pledged to marry before they were even grown.

Time had torn them apart when she left the country for treatment five years ago. Brad had vowed to wait, swearing that the day she came back would be the day they married. Yet the moment she returned, the promises felt like ash.

Her cousin Maddie had somehow slipped into the space beside him, and before long, they were inseparable.

Each time Kiera dared to ask, Brad gave her the same answer-that Maddie was her blood, and he was only showing care for her own sake. She clung to that explanation. Even as he abandoned her again and again, rushing to Maddie instead of offering her his hand, she swallowed her doubts and held tight to the words he once whispered. Love had blinded her more than she dared admit.

Today, however, stripped away the illusion, and she saw herself for what she truly was-a fool who had believed in a lie.

The phone dimmed, leaving only her reflection in the darkened glass, a face stained with tears and brimming with despair.

A gasp escaped her, and she covered the screen as if thatcould erase the pitiful image.

This couldn't be who she became. Not anymore.

With a deep breath, she steadied her trembling chest. Her fingers moved quickly, fueled by resolve rather than hesitation. "We're done."

As soon as the message went through, she erased Brad's number and blockedevery way he could use to reach her.

Marriage had always been her goal for reasons of her own, but nobody had ever said that the groom had to be Brad Davies.

A new husband-that was whatshe would find.

Once released from the hospital, Kiera slipped into a crimson dress that hugged her frame, every curve demanding attention. Against the night, she blazed like fire.

The police had passed along a clue about the stranger who had saved her-a location that led her to a worn-down auto repair shop.

By the time Kiera arrived, the hour was late. Towers of rusting scrap metal loomed around her, their jagged silhouettes making the place feel like a graveyard for machines.

Pulling her arms tight around herself, she rubbed warmth into her skin and quickened her pace toward the open doorway.

Inside, the shop glared with harsh white light. At the center sat a crumpled car, its hood smashed, its emblem missing. The scrape of tools echoed, and a man slid out from beneath the wreck.

His uniform was smeared with oil, his heavy boots leaving prints across the floor. Tall and solid, he stripped off his gloves, snatched a towel, and dragged it across his face, the lean strength in his forearms flexing with each motion.

The sound of her steps made him turn. In that instant, the light struck his face, every angle sharpened into perfection that seemed almost unreal.

Kiera's breath stuttered. This man was dangerously hot.

Masking the rush of nerves, she steadied her tone with a graceful smile. "Good evening, Mr. Smith. Do you remember me? We met earlier today."

No trace remained of the drenched, brokenbride-now she carried herself with flawless makeup and an air of quiet elegance.

Jasper Smith gave her no more than a second's glance before his gaze shifted away. His voice was flat. "Why are you here?"

Her reply softened, sincerity lacing her words. "I came to repay you."

She remembered his earlier words, though her dazed mind had barely clung tothem-he claimed he wanted no repayment.

Cracking open a water bottle, Jasper tipped it back, swallowing slowly before setting his gaze on her again. "So tell me. How exactly do you think you can repay me?"

Heat surged to her face. Her hands tangled together as she whispered, hesitant but resolute, "By giving myself to you... Would you accept me?"

Chapter 2 He's On Board A sudden cough tore out of Jasper, his composure cracking as he staggeredback. "Hold on-what did you just say?"

Heat rushed through Kiera as she lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "What I'm trying to say is... if marriage is on your mind... maybe you could choose me."

Shame painted her cheeksred, and her eyes refused to lift to meet his.

The moment she'd confirmed with the police officer that Jasper had never been married, she'd made her decision.

Yet now, standing this close to him, all that determination drained away.

The silence between them grew unbearable, pressing down until her chest ached with dread.

Doubt crashed over her, making her wonder if her words had been nothing but foolishness.

She stumbled for a way out, blurting, "I'm sorry; did I frighten you? I shouldn't have said-"

"Give me areason,"he cut in.

Her lashes flicked up in confusion. "What?"

His eyes fixed on her, unyielding. "Tell me why you want to marry me."

Her throat tightened, but she answered plainly, "The thing is... I need to get married. And I think you're a decent man."

"Decent? That's how you see me?" Jasper echoed with a low, teasing laugh.

Confusion twisted Kiera's expression. What part of that was wrong? He had dragged her back from death itself-how could she call him anything less?

Then Jasper's voice dropped to something firm and certain. "I'm on board."

Kiera froze,unable to believe him.

"I'll marry you." His gaze didn't flinch. "But what about thegroom you stood beside earlier?"

He actually accepted? Light seemed to burst inside Kiera, and her eyes shone like stars. "You don't have to worry about that. We never signed anything. I ended it with him before coming here! You'll be my only husband."

Digging into her bag, she pulled out a bank card and pressed it against his palm. "Take it. This belongs to you. The code's four zeros. Use it however you like."

Jasper froze in place, blindsided by her sudden move. He was about to refuse, yet the card was already tucked into his pocket before he could react.

"You've been wearing yourself out," Kiera said with quiet conviction. "With this money, you won't have to burn the midnight oil. Take a few days off and look for an easier job."

Looking down at the oil-stained coverallsclinging to him, Jasper realized she had mistaken him for just another mechanic.

No one had ever learned who he really was, so it was no surprise the police had failed to uncover the truth.

Still, when he caught the bright hope flickering in her gaze, he only arched a brow and gave the slightest nod. "Fine. I appreciate it."

"Of course." Kiera's lips curved into a smile. "I should get going. Let's go register our marriage tomorrow at one."

She walked away with an easy stride, her spirits lifted as if she carried none of the weight of the night.

Not long after, Walter Reed, Jasper's friend, appeared, spotting her as she disappeared into the distance. "Jasper, do you even know that woman?"

"My wife-to-be,"said Jasper without hesitation.

Walter's eyes widened. "Hold on-you're serious about her?"

"We're getting marriedtomorrow," Jasper responded without pause.

"You've got to be kidding!" Walter staredat him in disbelief.

"Starting from now, I'm just another worker here," Jasper continued evenly. "And if anyone asks questions, don't reveal anything about me."

Still reeling, Walter bobbed his head. "Y-yeah, sure."

With that, Jasper left in quiet satisfaction, while Walter stood rooted to the ground, unable to process what he had just heard.

By the next morning, Kiera stood outside what had once been herdream home-purchased by Brad, decorated with her own hands. Every appliance, every corner had cost her nearly all her savings.

Standing tall in the doorway, she gave the order. "Clear it all out."

The movers swarmed in, detaching chandeliers and carrying off the giant television.

Her gaze landed on the oversized picture of her and Brad hanging above the sofa. Without hesitation, she gripped a baseball bat and swung.

The shattering glass echoed through the house as the frame split clean down the center.

Brad came charging from the kitchen, his face pale with shock. "Put a stop to this right now!"

He shoved past the movers, ripping the bat from her grasp. His fury shook the walls as he roared, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

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 muchthought. 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 stillupset about yesterday, aren't you? That was my fault. I'msorry. 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 scrubbedher fingers as though she were erasing something filthy.

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

Brad stiffened. Then he growled in a low, threatening voice, "Do you really have to puton 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, unableto 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 themovers. "Keep going, everyone! The quicker you finish, the larger your tip will be!"

In less than half an hour, the housewas 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. "Haveyou 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, "Ifit 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'shousehold floated out to meet her.

The moment she stepped inside, the cheerful atmosphere froze.

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

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

Chapter 4 Company Shares "You actually gotmarried?!"

Maddie sprang from the sofa, snatching the marriage certificate from Kiera's grip. Relief flickered across her face when she realized the groomwasn't Brad, but confusion quickly clouded it. "Who on earth is this man?"

Kiera scowled, reclaiming the paper with a swift tug. "That's none of your concern. The important thing is that I'm married now. Uncle Vance,it's time you make good on your word and hand over the company shares."

The Gordon Group had once been the brainchild of Kiera's mother, built from the ground up. Long ago, Julia Gordon, Kiera's mom, had drawn up a contract stating that once Kiera married, she would inherit twenty percent of the company as her wedding gift.

But tragedy struck when Kiera was only eight. Julia's breakdown led to her confinement in a psychiatric hospital, leaving her younger brother Vance as Kiera's guardian. He seized control of everything-Julia's assets, the Gordon Group, even this very house-transferring it all into his own name.

Vance once swore that he would uphold his sister's promise on Kiera's wedding day.

Now that Kiera demanded it, the air inside the room turned heavy.

Maddie curled her lip. "No one here has even seen this husband of yours. What proof do we have that this isn't just some fake document you downloaded online?"

Kiera barked out a laugh. "Do you think everyone is as pathetic as you? Like when you failed half your exams in college and faked a transcript to trick your parents? Don't worry, I'd never stoop to your level."

Maddie's face went red, hersecret exposed.

Before Maddie could say anything, Kiera extended the document toward Vance. "If my word isn't enough, go confirm it yourself."

Vance kept turning the paper in his hands, his jaw stiff as stone. "Naturally, I want to believe you, but..."

Kiera's eyes hardened. "But what?"

Before he could respond, Ivy Gordon, Vance's wife, hurried forward and clasped Kiera's hand. "You've been gone fromthis house for years, Kiera, and you've never managed a company. If we hand you twenty percent of shares immediately, people will object. The firm is already on shaky ground, and investors are watching every move. If this leaks-"

A cutting laugh slipped from Kiera as shejerked her hand back. "So this is how you twist it. A promise broken with excuses."

Ivy's voice softened, practiced sweetness dripping from her words. "No, of course not. It's just about understanding the strain we're under-"

"Tell me, why would I give a damnabout your strain?"

Her hand slipped from Ivy's grip as her tone turned cold enough to bite. "Have you all forgotten how many times mymom gave her all to help you guys when you needed it? Then once she got sick, you stripped her of the company and took this house too. And I stayed silent because you were the one keeping her alive with those hospital payments."

Her eyes hardened as she added, "Now you think you can rip away everything that rightfully belongs to me. If that's your plan, then maybe the public should hear the truth. Let them decide who's right."

The words sucked the air from the room. Vance's and Ivy's smiles stiffened, their confidence faltering.

Everyone in the Gordon Group knew another round of financing was about to launch. A scandal nowwould be poison, and investors would all leave.

With a forced grin, Vance tried to recover. "You've got it all wrong, Kiera. That's not what I meant. Try to consider what I'm trying to say-my daughter Rachel has spent years at the company and only hasfive percent. Maddie has nothing. And you expect twenty percent overnight? People will never accept it."

Kiera reached for her phone, ready to dial a journalist at any moment.

The vein in Vance's temple throbbed before he forced the words out, heavy asstone. "Fine. Join the company. Show everyone what you can do. If you prove your worth, I'll transfer the shares. No one will have grounds to protest."

She saw through his attempt to buy time, butpushing too hard now could ruin everything. Waiting might be her best shot at winning.

"Alright."

Relief poured from Vance as he let out a long breath. "That settles it. Be at the office next Monday. For now, the chef's not in, so we won't keep you for dinner."

With no interest in smalltalk, Kiera turned around and headed for the door.

Maddie's lips twisted into a sulky pout once Kiera was gone. "Dad, why would you let her into the company? I should be there, not her!"

Flicking her daughter's forehead, Ivy replied, "That cousin of yours doesn't have the faintest clue what she's doing. Letting her in will only eat up herown time. What matters is that you use this chance to keep Brad hooked on you."

The day Kiera boarded her flight overseas, Ivy and Vance turned their attention to Brad. Having the backing of Brieledo's most influential family made Bradthe ultimate target. Winning him would push the Gordon Group into a new league.

At her parents' urging, Maddie had copied Kiera's style, matching everything from her wardrobe to the way she carried herself. The plan had worked. Brad noticed.

The thought of him sent heat rushing into Maddie's cheeks. She bounded up the stairs, eager to call Brad and spill the news that Kiera was already married-proof that her cousin was careless and shameless to the core.

Meanwhile, Ivy's smile faltered as worry crept in. "What if Kiera actually manages to pull it off at the company?"

Vance let out a dismissive laugh. "You forget how sick she was. She's out of her depth. What could she possibly achieve? I'll throw enough trouble in her way that she'll mess up before the week is out. And when she does, not a single board member will support giving her twenty percent."

Twenty percent would normally guarantee a seat at the table and a voice in every major decision. But who would ever cast a vote for someone like her?

Ivy closed the distance, her fingertip pressing against his chest as a playful sneer curved her lips. "Clever little fox, aren't you?"

Vance caught her hand in his, and their eyes met before both of them broke into sly, triumphant smiles.

Chapter 5 Moving In With Her Kiera drove straight to the address Jasper had sent her.

The police file had already given her a glimpse of his story. Parents gone too soon. No schooling. Survival strung together with scraps of work wherever he could find it.

She expected little, yetthe sight waiting for her still hit like a blow.

What she found was barely a room at all, a tight box with only a fold-out cot shoved against the wall. The paint peeled in sickly strips, mold gnawed at the corners, and the concrete floor carried dark stains that never faded. Damp air clung to her skin, while an old ceiling fan spun with a screech, as if daring gravity to pull it down.

Jasper caught the flicker of shock on her face, his jaw tightening. Walter might have set up a cover for him, but surely he could have chosen something less pitiful than this. Could someone raised with Kiera's comfort ever accept such a sight?

"I don't stay here," Jaspersaid flatly. "Come on. I'll take you somewhere else."

To Kiera, though, the words sounded like a man trying to salvage his pride. A pang of guilt slid through her chest. She had been too quick to react.

Her gaze softened. "Why don't you pack your things and move in with me?"

He froze. "Excuse me?"

Thinking he was too embarrassed to answer, she nudged forward with a softer tone. "Come on, we're married now, aren't we? Don't you think it makes sense that we live together? And since this marriage was my idea, I should at least make sure you have somewhere decent to sleep."

Before he had the chance to protest, she continued, "There are twobedrooms in my apartment. You can take the spare. We won't step on each other's space. It will feel no different from living alone."

Jasper searched her face,unsettled by the open trust shining in her eyes.

Why did she extend such trust so easily? Didn't it worry her, letting a man she barely knew step into her place?

The truth was, Kiera didn't trust easily at all. But something about Jasper-maybe the wayhe had once saved her-quietly reassured her.

"So? Will you?" she asked, her voice laced with hope.

Pressure tightened in his chest, yet against all reason he heard himself murmur, "Fine."

Her whole face lit up at once, and she urged him to get his things together.

Truth was, Jasper had stepped into this dingy room barely minutes before she walked in. He had no clue what useless junk Walter had scattered there, but he went along with the show, pulling together whatever he could find.

Out came a toothbrush so worn down it could scratch more than clean. Next, a pair of jeans ripped to threads. Finally, socks clumsily patched and barely holding together.

His jaw twitched, but he shoved them into a bag with calm precision, as though every item belonged to him.

Kiera couldn't take it anymore. "Leave those behind. I'll buy you new ones."

Jasper let it go without protest, never having planned touse them in the first place.

By nine o'clock that evening, they walked out of the mall burdened with shopping bags and set out for her home.

As soon as Kiera slid her key into the lock, Jasper stopped dead in the doorway.

The cramped apartment was bursting at the seams with furniture, leaving hardly any space to breathe.

With an awkward laugh, Kiera said, "Don't worry. I'lldeal with all this tomorrow."

All of it came from the house she was meant to share with Brad, and since she had nowhere else to stash it, she had packed the apartment to the brim.

"How about we just get some sleep," shesuggested in a rush.

Jasper's eyes roamed the chaos, andhe asked in a low voice, "Where exactly am I meant to sleep in here?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. She was certain she had told him to take the spare room. Yet when she swung the door open, dread crawled over her-the place was stacked to the ceiling with furniture, making it impossible to step inside.

She had completely forgotten this!

Slowly, Jasper remarked, "The living room's packed too. Seems like there's only one option left."

Kiera's breath caught as her eyes flickedtoward her own bedroom. Did this mean... they were expected to share the same bed?

Chapter 6 I Wouldn't Leave You Unsatisfied Kiera had always been fussy about where she slept. Every poor mattress lefther body sore, and there was no chance she would ever stretch out on the floor. Yet how could she let the man who had saved her life take it instead?

"You should take the bed. I'll manage on the floor," she suggested, though her gazeflickered with the faintest trace of hope.

One of Jasper's brows lifted. "What kind of man would stand by while a woman lay on the floor?"

Her chest tightened withhope. She waited for him to finish his thought.

Sure enough, he added, "So the only fair choice is for us to share the bed."

Kiera went still, stunned by what he'd just declared. That was the last thing she wanted him to suggest.

A glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes, though his expression remained unchanged."I'll shower first and then come back to you."

His words sent a rush of warmth to her cheeks.

By the time she managed to think of something to say, he had already disappeared, heading down the hall to the bathroom.

How had things turned upside down this quickly? Resigned, Kiera gathered her nightclothes and wasted nearly an hourinside the en suite bathroom, pretending to busy herself.

When she finally walked out, Jasper had claimed the outer side of the bed. He leaned back against the headboard in the gray loungewear she had chosen for him, legs stretched carelessly across the sheets, his attention fixed on the glow of his phone.

She stared at the empty half of the bed like it was forbidden ground, her body refusing to move closer.

Jasper set aside his phone and lifted his head, eyes meeting hers. "Am I that disgusting to you?"

The question sliced straight through her. "No! Of course not."

Fearing she had wounded his pride, she forced herself onto the space beside him-only to wish instantly that she had not.

Muscles tightened until she felt caged inside her own skin. Memories of her past made her uneasy around men, and with Brad, she had never gone beyond allowing him to wrap her in a hug. Yet here she was, stretched out beside a man she had only just met yesterday.

Her pulse jumped higher when Jasper leaned close, his tone rough and low. "Strange, isn't it? It's our wedding night, and we're wasting it like this."

Heat rolled across her skin as his breath grazed her ear, bold and deliberate. Just those few words, and her heart rammed against her ribs like it was trying to escape.

Talk like that could twist into something reckless. Her thoughts screamed warnings as she edged back, eyes wide with worry. "W-wasting it? We hardly even know each other. You're not a libertine, are you?"

A hint of laughter tugged at Jasper's mouth. "You'remy wife on paper. Tell me, how does that make me alibertine? Which means... what comes next is obvious."

Each syllable dripped suggestively against her ear, and panic flared. She yanked at her collar as though to shield herself, her gaze darting like a cornered animal. "I... I can't. I'm not ready."

A spark of humor touched Jasper's expression. He found she carried a little boldness, but not enough to matchher defiance. He leaned away, giving her space at last.

"What I was saying," he explained in a steady tone, "is that because our marriage isn't built on love, we need an agreement. That way, when it ends, there will be no trouble."

That was it? A rush of relief swept through Kiera,leaving her breath lighter than before. She had never even thought about that possibility until now.

Clutching a pillow against herself, she drew in a slow breath. "Then what sort of terms are you suggesting?"

Jasper responded, "This marriage exists only in writing, so I'm not asking for much. But the first condition is clear-you keep your distance from your ex. I don't want a wife who cheats on me."

"Not in a million years. I'm done with my ex," Kiera blurted out.

He gave a brief nod before adding, "And another thing. I'll never force anything from you. But if the day comes when you want something physical... I wouldn't leave you unsatisfied."

Kiera's cheeks turned red. What was wrong with him? Whydid he have to be so blunt?

"Is theremore?" she asked.

"Yes. The last one matters most." Jasper's expression hardened. "How long arewe supposed to keep this marriage alive?"

Her own answer had always been straightforward-once the shares were in her hands, shewould choose the right moment to walk away.

But her uncle had already broken his promise.

"I don't know the exact timing yet," she admitted softly. "But it won't take forever. Tell me... do you have anything else that needs your time?"

Patience wasn't an issue forJasper, though he had responsibilities waiting on him.

"I'll move as fast as I can on my end," Kiera said, almost in avow. "I won't let you wait on me."

The desperation in her wide eyes revealed just how much this arrangement meant to her. Without saying it outright, Jasper felt an urge to shoulder some of that burden for her.

"There's no rush. Take your time," he answered calmly.

Her whole expression lit up in relief. "I really appreciate that!"

Her smile-those shining eyes most of all-caught him off guard. He let his gaze linger for a second longer than he should before pulling away and leaving the bed. He tugged a blanket to the floor and spread it neatly.

Thoughtful as ever, Kiera offered him a pillow.

Catching the eager brightness in her smile, Jasper released a small, resigned laugh.

Once the lights dimmed, silence settled between them.

Kiera expected her nerves to keep her awake with Jasper so close, yet sleep claimed her with surprising ease.

When she opened her eyes the next morning, the spot where he had crashed on was alreadyempty. Jasper must have left early for work.

Instead of worrying about him, she rang the movers again, telling them to cart the furniture off to a resale market. She doubted buyers there had the means to pay for pieces like hers, but she didn't have any other option left.

By the time the movers finished, half the marketplace seemed buried under her belongings.It wasn't long before someone wandered over.

"Miss, how much for this couch? Doesn't look too bad."

"One hundred fifty grand," Kiera replied without hesitation.

The man gawked as though she'd lost her mind. "You serious? That's daylight robbery." He scoffed,muttered something to his buddy, and walked away.

Kiera's mouth fell open. Robbery? She'd dropped four hundred grand when it was brand new. Asking a hundred fifty grand was practically charity.

The rest of the morning dragged on inthe same miserable pattern-snickers, rude remarks, and not a single sale.

By noon, she slumped with a defeated sigh. Maybe she would have to call themovers back and haul it all home again.

Then a harsh, all-too-familiar voice sliced through the chatter.

"Kiera Gordon. You've made yourself damn difficult to find."

Brad loomed in front of her, his expression dark, and Maddie shadowed him with a smug.

Pretending to be shocked, Maddie let her gaze drift over the mountain of furniture. Her voice was sweet, but every word dripped with satisfaction. "Brad told me you stripped his house bare, and I thought he was exaggerating. Turns out he was right. Kiera, wasn't that reckless of you? That was supposed to be your future home."

With a casual shrug, Kiera replied, "Why would I cling to the past? I'm married now. My ex's things are just eyesores to me."

Brad's face twisted into a darker scowl. "Did you really pretend to be with some randomguy just to get back at me? That's pathetic!"

Kiera gave him a look of surprise. "I guess Maddie hasn't filled you in. I'm already married."

Chapter 7 Doubling The Price Maddie might have whispered the news into his ear, but Brad dismissed it outright. That so-called marriage certificate had to be a sham. Kiera would never abandon him-certainly not to tie herself to some stranger.

No one knew her like he did. After what she had endured years ago, she recoiled from men... all men except him. The thought of her actually being married to a stranger? Laughable.

Dragging his hand across his forehead, Brad let out a tired breath. "Kiera, quit making a scene. I've got deadlines stacked on my desk, and I don't have the patience to deal with your tantrums on top of it."

It was the same tired excuse he had thrown at Kiera more times than she could count. And every single time, she had convinced herself the flaw was hers. That maybe she wasimagining the way Maddie hovered too close. That she was being unreasonable, paranoid.

She had bent over backward to be patient. To tell herself that he was just busy. That trust meant enduring the distance.

Despite Maddie constantly weaving herself between them, Kiera had been ready to marry him-not for wealth, not for obligation, but because she had loved him.

What did she get in return? Betrayal. Watching him turn away, letting her sink while he chose Maddie instead.

The memories cut through Kiera. Her chest clenched, and her eyes hardened to ice.

"And tell me, Brad, who's the one creating a scene? I'm here selling my own furniture in peace. You're the ex-fiancé storming in uninvited. You're the obstacle. Even a half-trained mutt knows when to move out of the way-pity you don't."

Brad's expression hardened, his fury simmering into something darker. Not once had she dared speak to him this way.

His eyes bore into her, storm clouds gathering behind them. But she didn't waver.Her chin lifted high, her stance unshaken.

"For the last time," she said, voice cutting like glass, her finger jabbing at her own chest with every word. "I, Kiera Gordon, have ended things with you. You and I are finished. We mean nothing to each other anymore. So stop clinging to me. If my husband comes by and sees this, what do you think he'll believe?"

That word-husband-hung in the air like a blade. Brad froze, then slowly glanced around her before scoffing, "Married, are you? Where is he, then? Why isn't this mysterious man here?"

"He's at work," Kiera replied, her toneflat and unbothered.

Brad let out a low laugh, mocking. "On a Saturday? He must be awfully dedicated to his job."

Her brows drew together, irritation flashing across her face. "Not everyone wastes their weekends chasingafter an ex. Some people actually work for a living."

Instead of lashing out, Brad chuckled again, amused. To him, it was obvious-this so-called husband was a fabrication, a flimsy cover she had stitched together. Her bluff only made the situation more entertaining.

His expression softened into something deceptively gentle as he reached toward her hand. "Enough now. Quit being stubborn. Take the furniture back home, and we'll finish our wedding another day."

Kiera's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her. Did the man truly not understand her words, or was his arrogance so thick it made him deaf?

From the corner, Maddie chose her moment, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness. "Kiera, you're being unfair. That day in the backyard, Brad only pulled me out first becauseI couldn't swim. He never stopped loving you. Why are you saying such cruel things to him?"

Maddie's soft, pleading tone only made Kiera's coldness stand out sharper, and the contrast set Brad's temper on edge.

Still, with decades of history binding them, he forced himself to rein it in one last time. "Kiera, think about it. That day, Maddie was drowning, yet you could swim. What wasI supposed to do, let her sink? That was her life on the line. You're being unreasonable."

Kiera's chest tightened at the words, as if a knife had twisted inside her. Once, long ago, she had been able to swim. But after that incident years ago, the water had become her greatest fear, leaving wounds that never healed.

Brad had known that. Or at least, the manhe used to be had. Now, all he seemed to remember was Maddie's weakness. Not hers.

Kiera's lashes lowered, lips pressed together, silence weighingheavily between them. It was a silence filled not with surrender, but with grief and the faintest crack of something broken.

Brad mistook it entirely. Thinking he'd found her soft spot, he leaned in with words he'd rehearsed too many times. "You know me. You've always been the only woman I wanted at my side. No one else has mattered, not really. Tell me what it takes to earn your forgiveness, and I'll do it."

Kiera's irritation surged, but when her gaze flicked toward Maddie's sulking face, a new thought flashed in her mind. Slowly, she looked backat the furniture piled high around them, then locked her eyes on Brad.

"Buy it all," she said coolly. "Double what I paid. Do that, and maybe I'll consider giving you another chance."

Maddie's composure cracked instantly. "Are you out ofyour mind?" she blurted out.

The furniture had cost three million. Double would make it six. No one in their right mind would hand over that kind of money.

Brad didn't hesitate, not even for a heartbeat. "Alright."

Maddie's eyes flew wide, her voice cracking. "Brad, you can't-"

But he brushed her aside as if she weren't even there. With practiced ease, he pulled out his phone, tapped a few times, and finished the transfer.

Six million. The alert chimed in Kiera's account almost immediately.

Her fingers twitched against her bag as shefought to smother the laugh bubbling inside her. Unreal. How could he be so gullible?

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Brad lifted his gaze, calm and commanding. "It's done. Now we're leaving. Together."

Kiera's grin spread, bright and merciless. Mischief glimmered in her eyes as she leaned forward slightly. "Oh, you really thought I'd forgive you? I said I'd think aboutit. And after some very careful thought, my answer is still no. Keep dreaming, Brad."

The composure on his face shattered, fury twisting every line of it. "Kiera Gordon!"

She beamed back at him, radiant in hermockery. "The furniture's all yours now. As for me? I'm going home. Alone."

Snatching up her phone and bag, she spun on her heel, her steps light and careless,as though she'd just won the sweetest game.

"Don't you dare walk away from me!" Brad shouted, storming after her. His hand shot out and clamped around her wrist like iron. "Whether you like it or not, you're coming with me!"

The money wasn't what stung. He could burn through millions and barely notice. What seared him was the humiliation she had carved into him, and that he would never forgive.

Kiera jerked against his hold, her voice rising, sharp as a whip. "Enough! I told youalready-I'm married. Get your hands off me!"

Brad's eyes burned as he retorted, "Fine-proveit. Call this husband of yours. If he doesn't show up right now, you're not going anywhere."

Kiera's jaw tightened, frustration simmering. Jasperwas at work, and dragging him into Brad's tantrum wasn't an option. "Let go, or I'm calling the police."

Brad threw back his head and laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. He bent toward her, hand tightening as he tried to pull her close. "Enough of this charade. There is no husband. Stop playing games and come home where you belong."

Before she could answer, the low growl of an engine tore through the tension. A black luxury car whipped around the corner and braked hard in front of them, the screech of tires slicing through the air like a blade drawn across steel.

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Water exploded around me as I flailed beneath the surface, my chest burning.

Through stinging eyes, I saw Brad dive in—but he didn’t reach for me. He swam straight to Maddie, cradling her like she was air and I was nothing.

I screamed until water filled my lungs. Just as darkness took me, strong arms wrapped around my waist, hauling me up.

A stranger dragged me onto the concrete, pressing steady hands to my chest until I coughed violently back to life.

Sunlight haloed his face, making him look divine.

Weakly, I whispered, "Thank you... I’ll find a way to repay you."

He brushed water from my cheek, voice low and sure: "Don’t. Just live."

Then he vanished.nLater, alone in a hospital room, I stared at a photo Maddie sent—Brad peeling apples for her at my bedside.

My phone buzzed with a single message from an unknown number: 'You’re safe. That’s enough.'

I blocked Brad, deleted his number, and made my decision. I wouldn’t beg for love. I’d claim power.

The police gave me a clue—Jasper Smith, auto mechanic.

That night, I walked into his grimy shop in a dress that screamed danger.

'Do you remember me?' I asked.

He barely looked up. 'Why are you here?'

Heat rushed to my face. This was insane. But I held my ground. 'I came to repay you.'

He took a slow sip of water, eyes locking onto mine. 'And how exactly do you plan to do that?' My hands trembled.

I had one move left. 'By giving myself to you... Would you accept me?'