t outright. That so-called marriage certificate had to be a sham. Kiera

s ago, she recoiled from men... all men except him. The thou

Kiera, quit making a scene. I've got deadlines stacked on my desk, an

nd every single time, she had convinced herself the flaw was hers. That maybe she was

. To tell herself that he was just busy.

em, Kiera had been ready to marry him-not for wealth

. Watching him turn away, letting he

era. Her chest clenched, an

rniture in peace. You're the ex-fiancé storming in uninvited. You're the obsta

immering into something darker. Not on

ering behind them. But she didn't waver.

word. "I, Kiera Gordon, have ended things with you. You and I are finished. We mean nothing to each othe

then slowly glanced around her before scoffing, "Married, ar

a replied, her tone

ing. "On a Saturday? He must b

er face. "Not everyone wastes their weekends chasing

ious-this so-called husband was a fabrication, a flimsy cover she had s

eached toward her hand. "Enough now. Quit being stubborn. Take th

Did the man truly not understand her words, or

ra, you're being unfair. That day in the backyard, Brad only pulled me out first because

Kiera's coldness stand out sharper, and

me. "Kiera, think about it. That day, Maddie was drowning, yet you could swim. What was

Once, long ago, she had been able to swim. But after that incident years ago

he used to be had. Now, all he seemed to

heavily between them. It was a silence filled not with surrend

rsed too many times. "You know me. You've always been the only woman I wanted at my side. No on

lking face, a new thought flashed in her mind. Slowly, she looked back

e what I paid. Do that, and maybe I'l

instantly. "Are you out of

le would make it six. No one in their righ

e, not even for a h

de, her voice crackin

here. With practiced ease, he pulled out his phon

chimed in Kiera's accou

fought to smother the laugh bubbling insid

rad lifted his gaze, calm and commanding.

ed forward slightly. "Oh, you really thought I'd forgive you? I said I'd think about

attered, fury twisting every

mockery. "The furniture's all yours n

n her heel, her steps light and careless,

fter her. His hand shot out and clamped around her wrist lik

ns and barely notice. What seared him was the humiliation

sing, sharp as a whip. "Enough! I told you

it. Call this husband of yours. If he doesn't

was at work, and dragging him into Brad's tantrum w

ard her, hand tightening as he tried to pull her close. "Enough of this char

A black luxury car whipped around the corner and braked hard in front of them,