Chapter 4

• The power of wealth and influence. Kaira was witnessing it firsthand.
• The very instant Kai nodded at the officers, Kaira watched them scramble. One was signing her release papers, another was handing over her belongings, and a third was pressing the others to hurry. The same energy they had used when bringing her in was now being used to set her free. That was what money could do.
• In less than five minutes, Kaira found herself seated inside a luxurious car. She recognized the driver as the man who had forcefully put her in a car the day before.
• Moments later, Kai climbed in, wrapping up a phone call.
• "Drive to the villa, Lawson," Kai instructed the driver before turning to Kaira.
• "The wedding has been scheduled for tomorrow—Saturday."
• "Wait, what? Tomorrow? Isn't that too soon?" she gasped.
• "No. Everything is already in order. You just have to show up. That's why we’re driving to my villa—to make sure you don't back out of the deal," Kai replied coolly.
• "I won't back out, but tomorrow? That's less than twenty-four hours away! I need to inform my parents. Some things need to be done," Kaira argued, stunned.
• "You don’t need to inform your parents. And like I said, everything is already in order. Money speaks," he said, typing something into his phone without even glancing at her. Clearly, money did speak.
• "And my belongings? I need to get them. Can I at least invite my sister?" she asked.
• If he wouldn't allow her parents, she at least needed someone she loved to be present.
• "No. This is a marriage of convenience. You don’t need anyone there. It will be over in nine months anyway. As for your belongings—you won’t be needing them," Kai replied, his gaze never leaving his phone.
• "Tell me, what’s your shoe size?" he asked, finally looking up at her with a raised brow.
• Kaira stared at him in bewilderment before rolling her eyes and leaning against the window. She was getting married. Growing up, she had always envisioned marrying the love of her life—the man she would love dearly. She had pictured herself walking down the aisle on her father's arm, her mother bawling her eyes out, her father smiling through his own tears. Her groom would be crying too, mouthing how beautiful she looked.
• It was a day she had dreamed of all her life. But that wasn't going to happen.
• She wasn’t marrying for love. She was marrying because she needed to stay out of jail. She was marrying because she wanted to be safe.
• Her father wouldn't walk her down the aisle. Her mother wouldn't cry tears of joy.
• She was marrying tomorrow. To an insolent man. For the second time that day, Kaira felt like crying.
• She had left home yesterday morning tired, drained, and unmotivated. Little did she know her life would take such a drastic turn.
• She should have trusted her instincts and called in sick. Hell, she shouldn't have taken out the necklace.
• That necklace was the root of her doom. If she had left it at home, the arrogant man wouldn’t have accused her of theft, locked her up, and humiliated her.
• The old man from the hospital had lied to her— That necklace didn't bring good luck. It brought her misery.
• Kaira blinked several times, fighting back the tears welling in her eyes.
• Just then, she heard Kai's voice again.
• "We're here."
• She looked up at a beautifully modern and luxurious house with unique architecture. The pool glowed with lights, making it look magical. The gardens were perfectly manicured.
• As she took in the view, Kai abruptly brushed past her, heading inside without a second glance.
• Taking it as a sign, she hurried after him.
• "Show her to her room," he said to someone, continuing up the stairs.
• It wasn’t until Kaira stepped inside that she saw who he had spoken to—a woman probably in her mid-fifties, who offered her a warm, comforting smile that made Kaira’s heart melt.
• The woman led her up the stairs to a room that was ten times bigger than her entire apartment.
• "You can rest here. Tomorrow will be an eventful day," the woman said before gently closing the door behind her.
• The moment she was alone, Kaira dropped to her knees and sobbed.
• She let out all the emotions she had bottled inside. She cried until her body weakened, then shifted to the bed and cried some more until sleep mercifully claimed her.
• Morning came too soon. Kaira woke to a gentle tap on her leg. Opening her eyes, she found the same woman from yesterday standing beside her.
• "It's almost time, my dear. I'm here to help you get ready," she said kindly. Confusion crossed Kaira’s face until her eyes landed on a beautiful white dress laid out nearby.
• "Yes, it’s happening," the woman added with a soft smile.
• It was truly happening. She was getting married.
• "I’ll leave you to shower. I'll be back soon," the woman said. Kaira nodded numbly, and once she was alone, she forced herself into the bathroom.
• After showering, she sat at the vanity, waiting.
• Her thoughts drifted—wondering if things might have been different if she hadn’t defied him.
• If she had simply apologized. Maybe. Maybe not. She would never know.
• The door opened again, but Kaira didn’t bother to turn, thinking it was the woman. Until she heard him.
• "Sign it," Kai’s fierce voice commanded.
• A file was tossed onto the vanity before her. Kaira looked up into Kai's emotionless eyes.
• Tears threatened again. She gave him a pleading look, silently begging him to reconsider. He dismissed her without a flicker of emotion.
• "Be fast. We have to walk down the aisle in less than five minutes," Kai said, glancing at his watch.
• With trembling hands, Kaira picked up the pen and scanned the document. It was a divorce settlement.She hadn’t even married him yet, and he already wanted to divorce her.
• Confused, she opened her mouth to speak— But Kai cut her off.
• "Don't pretend. You don't want this marriage either. Sign it, and in one year, you’ll be a free woman—with one hundred million," he said coldly.
• Just like that. He was planning to get rid of her before they even exchanged vows.
• With a heavy heart, Kaira signed the paper. She was officially divorced—before she was even officially married.
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