Chapter 9
Calliope’s POV
Lucian gazed at me with a bemused grin. “Is that everything you’re asking for?”
I gave a decisive nod. “Yes. So, should we seal the deal and get married right this minute?”
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Right this minute?”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “Or we could always wait three more years.”
He chuckled warmly. “Alright. Now I understand why my late grandparents had such a fondness for you and were so insistent on this marriage.”
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I flashed a confident smile. “I suppose I’m quite a gem.”
Lucian laughed, and we rose to our feet. He held the door open for me as we left the hotel. Standing there by my car, I noticed him still smiling at me.
“What?” I asked, curious.
He shrugged casually. “You do realize that when we get married, we’ll have to live together.”
I nodded, fully aware from the contract I’d signed. “Yes, and that’s fine by me as long as we have our own rooms.”
Lucian nodded in agreement. “Alright then, let’s get married.”
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We drove together in Lucian’s car, my driver following behind, until we reached the
court registry. With Lucian’s influence, we expedited the process, our drivers acting as witnesses.
Twenty minutes later, we stepped outside with our marriage license in hand. I glanced at it, indifferent, as it simply represented the first step in my plan. After what happened with Thaddeus, I vowed never to make myself vulnerable by falling in love again.
“So, I guess we’re married now,” Lucian remarked.
I nodded in affirmation. “Yes, we are.”
“Well, I should get started on planning a big wedding celebration and sending out the invitations,” he mentioned.
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I nodded again. “You go ahead with that. I’ve got shopping planned for tomorrow.”
He grinned, asking, “Which mall?”
I replied with a sly smile, “I’m undecided, especially since I have my mall and my husband has his.”
Lucian chuckled. “Take care, Calliope. Hope the party yields everything you’re hoping for.”
I smiled confidently. “It will.”
I watched Lucian head to his car before getting into mine, excited that the initial phase of my scheme was underway.
Soon enough, my car rolled into the driveway, and I headed inside. My parents were back, and to my surprise, they had guests–people I recognized immediately despite the time
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that had passed.
“Mr. and Mrs. Drake,” I greeted them politely. They were Lucian’s parents.
“Nonsense, dear! Call me Zara,” his mother exclaimed, embracing me warmly. “Or Mom, since you’re now married to my
son.”
I returned her smile. “Hello, Zara.” Next, his father enveloped me in an equally warm hug. “Hello, Sir.”
“It’s wonderful to finally witness your union and to see our families come together,” the man said.
I nodded in agreement. “Yes, it’s very important.”
My mom approached me. “I’ll take Calliope inside to freshen up.”
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Once inside my room, Mom had that worried look in her eyes again, as she sat me down.
“What are you doing, Calliope?” she asked softly.
I frowned slightly. “What do you mean, Mother?”
“I’m worried, Calliope. Are you losing your grip on reality?” she pressed.
I frowned deeper. “What makes you think that, Mom? I’m perfectly fine.”
“Then explain why you’re rushing into marriage,” she insisted. “We haven’t even talked about what happened over the last three years, and now you’re already married. Isn’t this all too fast? I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
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I smiled reassuringly at her. “I’m being very careful, Mom. I promise I won’t get hurt.”
She sighed deeply. “Then why are you doing this?”
“It’s simple, Mom. I want to make Thaddeus pay. Only then can I move forward with my life without looking back,” I stated firmly.
“But how does getting married help with that? Do you think he’d be jealous?” my mom questioned.
I shrugged casually. “That’s not the primary goal, Mom, but it’s a welcome bonus. For now, I just need you to trust me.” She studied me for a while before sighing. “Alright, Calliope. I trust you, but I swear, if anyone harms you again, they’ll regret it.”
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I smiled and hugged her tightly. “I believe your will.”
I felt a surge of excitement as everything I needed was soon to be within reach.
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