I scrolled through the photos on the camera without much interest, then tossed it right back at Brian.
“Mr. Thompson, did you seriously come all the way here just to embarrass yourself? If your eyesight’s that bad, maybe go get it checked. Every single photo in here is just you and Addison.”
Brian stared at the camera, clearly confused.
But I wasn’t lying. The photos were all exactly that. It was him and Addison, again and again.
This time, he actually started to panic. He looked like he wanted to come up and plead with me again, but Hayes had finally hit his breaking point.
With one smooth motion, Hayes kicked Brian right off the steps.”
He didn’t even bother looking at him as he waved toward the exit.)
“I’m getting married today, feeling great, not looking to babysit a lunatic. Someone do him a favor and take him to a hospital for a brain scan,” Hayes said.
Right then, Brian was dragged out, still staring at me like he couldn’t believe any of this was happening. He kept shaking his head, muttering over and over that I shouldn’t go through with it.
But I turned to the crowd, took a deep breath, and said clearly and confidently, “I do.”
Brian always thought I’d never stop loving him.
He really believed that, no matter what he did, I’d stay.
But Brian never realized that when I chose to walk away, I didn’t just walk. I burned every bridge behind me.”
The ring, the betrothal letters, the photos.
All of it.
Right after the ceremony, the news spread like wildfire.
The Ellington heiress had officially married the most eligible bachelor in Ravenport’s elite circle.”
Everyone was talking about it; headlines, gossip, social feeds–it was impossible to escape.“]
As the buzz settled, Hayes proudly introduced me to his circle of friends. He didn’t half–ass it either. He was genuinely serious. As I watched him, I felt an old emotion stir inside me.”
And before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Why’d you go and break our deal?“}]
Just as I was about to get an answer, Brian suddenly appeared from among Hayes’s friends.
Hayes’s eyes narrowed instantly, his glare sharp enough to burn holes through anyone who’d dared let Brian in.
But this time, Brian didn’t try to stir up any old memories.}
“Kaia, I’m begging you,” he implored, falling to his knees before me with a heavy thud.
Then he pulled out a ring and reached for my hand. But when he saw the massive pink diamond already sitting on my finger, his whole face crumbled.
He clutched the old ring to his chest like it meant everything.R
“Kaia, I looked everywhere for this ring. I dug through junkyards for days before I finally found it. I don’t blame you for getting tricked into that marriage after losing your memory, but when you remember everything, won’t you hate yourself?”
I stared at him for a second.”
Then I laughed. Honestly, I couldn’t help it.
“Wow. You’re really something, Brian. Still blaming everyone else for your own screw–ups. Addison forced you onto that dating show? Did she force you into her bed, too? That’s not pressure. That’s you being weak and disgusting.”
He stumbled back like I’d slapped him. I didn’t even look at him again.”
Hayes caught my expression, and, without a word, gestured for someone to get Brian out of there. But before they could, a woman came barreling in, wild–eyed and out of breath.
“Brian! Where are you? I’ve been looking everywhere! I’m pregnant, Brian! The baby misses you!“}]
Addison.
You could feel the shock ripple through the room.
Gasps, whispers, full–on stares.
I turned to Brian, gave him a slow, mocking half–smile.
His face drained of color.
Addison saw me and flew into a rage, charging toward me like a lunatic. “Kaia, you bitch! You keep stealing Brian from me!”
Before she could get to me, Brian grabbed her and yanked her back. Then, without warning, he slapped her.”
One of her teeth flew across the room.”
And that wasn’t even the worst of it. He kicked her right in the stomach.
Addison crumpled like a doll, blood streaming from her mouth and between her legs. Her body convulsed. She was probably miscarrying, right there in front of everyone.
Brian just stood over her, totally unfazed.
Then he turned to me and forced a smile. “See, Kaia? I told you. She and I are done. There’s nothing between us anymore.”
I stared at him, heart heavy with disgust.
“You’re insane,” I said quietly. “You really are.”
He dropped to his knees again, eyes glassy with desperation. “Kaia, please. I’m begging you. Just give me one more chance.”
Hayes stayed calm, but I felt his grip tighten around my hand.
Then he leaned in and said, “Kaia, I’m sorry you had to deal with this pathetic mess again. Leave the rest to me. Neither of them will get within ten feet of you ever again.“>
Kaia’s POVI
I shook my head.
