Chapter 2

Charlotte's POV

I never trust any stranger easily but this seems different. I mean there's something about him that draws me to him which I can't explain. However, my mind couldn't shift on how easily I agreed to this deal without a second thought.

I turned to stare at Liam as he sped his wheels without a care in the world about anything. I didn't know whether I'm making the right decision or not but it's the best option for sure.

It wasn't long when we arrived at the registry beside the city hall. The sight of its vibrant and colourful entrance got my attention.

“Here you go, Mr Blackwood,” the officer said, as he handed over the documents to him the moment we sat down. It was as though they were expecting him.

He took a glance at the documents and rotated his head towards me with a smirk on his face. “You're going to answer Mrs Blackwood for just a year,” he stated, with so much audacity.

What a fuck! Is this what my parents has reduced me to? I pinched my lips together as my mind reeled wildly.

“What…You know what?! Nevermind!” I didn't realise how those words slipped from my lips.

“Deal or no deal?!” he asked nonchalantly without a freaking care about anything else as he looked away from me.

As the silence loomed between us, he flicked his eyes back on me. “It's not as if you're my type anyways!” Those words hit me like a porch and I was breathless with fury.

Like seriously?

Instantly, my hands clenched into a fist and I bit my lower lip as I swallowed hard.

Before I could raise my eyelids to steal a look at his devilishly handsome face, he was already handing over a cheque to me. “This is half of the cash for the deal, it would be complete once you sign this,” he voiced out those words effortlessly and it stabbed at my heart.

As my gaze fell on it, it was exactly what my parents was expecting from Kellers family if the charade they had planned worked.

But here I am getting more than that on a platter with no commitments attached.

Meanwhile, for a split second I wanted to say no to his fucking regardless of how juicy it is deal but I don't know why my thoughts conflict with what my mind really wants. Probably, this is the universe giving me a second chance to make it right again.

“Deal,” I replied without even my notice. It was as though someone whispered those words in my ears.

Without taking even a look at me, he handed over the documents to and I scribbled my signature on it. 

At this point my parents were stuck in my mind. I feel I will be able to get back our legacy soonest. Not just that, but the Knight’s empire will strive more than before.

We strolled out of the registry office, as Liam swung his arms arrogantly towards his car without uttering a word to me. 

My hands clenched as I glared at him. “We're heading to the hospital now so they can commence the surgery on my grandfather immediately,” his voice was laced with ice, as a shaky smile formed on my lips.

I nodded my head and my heart began to pound wildly as dread washes over me. I don't know what to expect at this point.

The silence between us was palpable as he started his engine. His brows rose and he gave me a mischievous look. Probably he expects me to voice out something.

“Why did you run away from your wedding though?” I broke the silence between us. His knuckles turned white, as he stared at me heavenward.

Then he hissed loudly, “It's none of your business. Your business is to only answer Mrs Blackwood with no string attached,” his venomous reply cut through me like a sharp blade. 

Is this what I'm going to deal with for fucking whole year? My mind raced.

I took a deep breath as my thoughts went wild. The journey flew by and we got to the hospital. Suddenly, my heart pounded beneath my rib cage as I strolled side by side Liam straight to the VIP ward.

My steps were measured as the tension in me was about to explode. He snaked his arms around me, and a cold shiver ran down my spine as the gazes on us were intense.

Then, I sighed heavily as the elevator dropped us in front of a particular ward and my heart seemed to plummet into the pit of my stomach.

Just as he was about to crack the open, a young lady of almost the same age as me opened it before he did. “What! Liam?!” She yelled as she cupped her face with both hands and somber spread on it. I mean she smelled luxurious from head to toe.

“Liam?!” Another voice shook with fury echoed from the ward.

I stood there frozen as my teeth seemed to bite the words I wanted to voice out.

Suddenly, Liam held me by hand and we crawled inside. “Mom, they should start the surgery already. I've done what grandpa wanted now.”

He paused a bit, “He wanted me to get married right? I have done that now!” Liam was unable to keep his voice steady as it rang in the hall.

My mind still whirled in panic as we paused in front of the woman he has just referred to as mom and my shoulders hunched in fear. I've never met her before but everything about her seems like all wasn't well.

I let out a low growl at all the horrible thoughts that crossed my mind. Just as I was about to raise my eyelids to stare at her again, her hand moved instinctively and she landed a dirty slap on my face. 

For a second, it was as if I was struck with dumbness as it rang in my ears like a deafening siren.

As Liam was about to stop her from hurting me. I mean I was shocked to core he even attempted to protect me. The other lady I presume is his sister, pulled my blonde hair with so much force and I nearly stumbled on the floor.

“Stop Ruby! Stop it!” he ordered, with a loud voice.

“This gold digger and scheming bitch deserves to die!” Ruby replied, nonchalantly as she released my hair with the longest chuckle I've never heard before.

“She has nothing to do with this! Get that clear!” Liam exclaimed.

I lowered my gaze as my mind spin in bewilderment and it was as if the ground should open up to swallow me.

His mom pointed her index at me as she stammered, “This nobody is the reason you left your grandfather to die, right?” This!” Her throat clogged and she bent down as tears streamed down her face.

“What! Grandpa is dead. No, no, no! How's that even possible?! I just spoke…,” Liam's voice was hoarse and it was like there was a lump in his throat.

“How…how?” He stammered and his teeth chattered.

She raised wicked brows at me that made me feel like the ground should open up and swallow me wholly. 

“She's also the reason you ran away from your bride, huh?” The disgust and hatred was none I've ever seen before.

I remained rooted at the spot and numerous thoughts oozed through my mind.

Liam walked back and forth in the ward. As the heaviness in his heart was so evident. He must have been very close to his grandfather for his death to have such a toil on him.

“Shit!” He screamed again and I could sense the guilt eating at him. I mean what reason did he have to run away from his own wedding at first?

“What the hell are you still doing here!” Ruby asked, with teary eyes. Why then did they act so different when we walked in? Or probably they did that so we wouldn't suspect anything.

The next thing I saw was Liam fiddling with his phone. All of a sudden a young man dressed in black suit walked in a moment later. “Boss, sorry I'm late,” he apologised.

“Drive her home, Norman. You know where I'm talking about right?” Liam stated.

“What! That's never happening Liam!” His mom interrupted, with a voice that I didn't expect. I mean she was crying a few minutes ago.

“Why mom? She's my wife regardless?”

“Wife? It doesn't look like that to me, son. Your marriage with her is useless as far as I'm concerned.”

Liam raised a confused brow at his mom. “Of course, son. Your grandpa is no more and automatically your marriage with her is over. Divorce her here and now!”

What! How did she know this whole charade we're putting up is fake?

I tried to be calm but it was impossible as her unfiltered words hit me like a pouch. My mind felt like it was on fire as I couldn't digest what was happening anymore.

Then she took a few commanding steps towards me, with no kindness in her eyes, “What was the deal? I will triple it!”

At that point, I felt numb as chills went down my spine and my heartbeat quickened. “So you can return to the street, where you belong!” She added.

I swallowed hard as I tried not to reveal the disgu

st and anger lit up in my eyes but it seems impossible. “Mrs Blackwood, I'm not a slut and I can't be bought with money!”