Chapter 3

Nuella groaned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her head hurt like hell and she felt like she had swallowed sand.

Everything that happened last night came back to her and she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it.

How could she have asked a complete stranger to marry her?

So what if he was related to Silas? She could get her revenge another way.

“Good morning,” she heard and spun around with a start, her heart racing. “Relax it's just me.”

Nuella blushed and pulled the covers over her breasts. “Good morning. I'm sorry about last night.”

Kevin coughed. She realized he hadn't been expecting her to apologise.

“Which part?”

“ Did anything happened between us last night “? Nuella asked with her eyes wide open.

“No… you have nothing to worry about “ Kevin said while smiling.

Her cheeks reddened and he cleared his throat.

“Here's some aspirin for the headache. I already ordered for some soup for the hangover.”

“Thank you,” she whispered unable to meet his eyes.

They sat there in silence, neither of them saying anything until Kevin cleared his throat.

“Marry me,” he said and Nuella almost choked as she drank the water he had kept for her.

“What?” She asked, coughing softly.

“I said marry me.” He repeated and she nodded.

She wasn't interested in another marriage especially not one so soon after the first failed but this time would be different because she wasn't marrying for love but for power, status and revenge.

Only with Kevin's wealth and influence would she be able to pay Silas back for his betrayal.

And the fact that he was Silas's uncle was an added bonus that would make her revenge even hotter and tastier.

“Okay.” She replied and another round of silence ensued.

No questions were asked and each person just sat there with their thoughts.

“Do you have your passport?” He asked and she nodded. “Well meet me at the courthouse in an hour with it so we can finalize everything.”

She watched as he stood up and adjusted his suit. He had showered and changed into a different suit from yesterday, she observed.

“You can take your time and get ready, we have an hour before we have to meet at the courthouse.”

With that, he walked out of the room without saying another word.

Nuella slumped on the bed in a daze. “What did I just agree to?” She wondered out loud but she didn't regret her decision, her mind was made up.

Silas had to be paid and this was the only way.

***

At some minutes before the time, Nuella arrived in a cab to find Kevin already waiting for her.

Together, they walked into the courthouse, hand in hand to sell their relationship and sat through the procedure.

Half an hour later, Nuella was staring at a huge diamond ring on her finger and the marriage certificate in her lap.

“This is really happening,” she whispered as complex emotions swirled inside of her.

“I guess I'll see you around wife” Kevin said and started to walk away but she stopped him.

“Wait, aren't we supposed to live together? You know we're married now and everything,”

Kevin frowned. “There's no need to live together. If there's anything we need to do together, I'd have my driver pick you up and…”

“But wouldn't it be easier if we lived together?” Nuella insisted unwilling to throw away this golden opportunity to have a roof over her head.

Silas had thrown her out without caring that she had no where else to go. If she didn't live with Kevin, where would she go?

“Fine!” He finally conceded and instructed his driver to take care of her before getting into his car.

She watched him leave and then turned to his driver. “First I need to get my things.”

He nodded and held the back seat open for her. “Just give me the address Mrs. Lowes and I'd handle it.”

Mrs. Lowes…. It had a nice ring to it. She bet Silas would have a field day with her new surname.

****

“Here,” Kevin said to her.

Nuella looked up from the book she was reading and frowned.

After the driver had helped her get her things, she had arranged everything, eaten and relaxed.

She eyed the shopping bag. “What is this?”

“I want you to wear those, I'm taking you out.”

Just like that? Nuella wanted to ask but she swallowed it back and inspected the things.

The dress looked exquisite and expensive, far above what she could afford.

They had just gotten married and Nuella wasn't sure she was ready to be seen in public with him so soon after her first divorce.

It was a good thing Simon never really showed her off so at least she didn't have to worry about backlash.

“How many minutes do you need?” He asked as he turned to leave.

Nuella shrugged as she rose to her feet. “I'll be ready whenever you are.” She assured him and walked off in the direction of the stairs.

She inhaled his cologne as she brushed past him and took the stairs one by one.

This man is her husband now, her ticket to revenge. Whatever he asked of she'd do as long as it was within her power.

***

“I know this is short notice but today is my mother's birthday and she has been nagging me to settle down so I figured I'd show you off.” He summarized and Nuella shrugged.

He didn't owe her any explanations.

“I didn't bring a gift,” she explained as she rubbed her suddenly sweaty palms on her lap.

Kevin smiled and reached to the back seat. He pulled out a shopping bag and dropped it in her lap. “I picked this out on my way home. My mother likes limited edition items.”

Nuella gasped as she saw what was inside. It was a Chanel bag that hadn't made it to the shops yet meaning Kevin had even more deep rooted connections than she thought.

He got out of the car and walked over to her side where she was already waiting for him.

He held his hand out and she placed hers in the crock of his arms as they walked together towards the grand mansion.

Would Silas be here? She wondered as they inched closer to the front door.

She flushed as a camera man appeared in front of them, catching her off guard.

“Just ignore them.” Kevin whispered to her and she nodded as they took the stairs.

An elderly couple were standing by the door and as soon as they got closer, Nuella identified them as Kevin's parents mainly because the man was an older version of her husband.

“Happy birthday Mum,” he whispered and leaned down to kiss her cheeks.

The older woman flushed and patted his arm before turning to face Nuella. “And who is this?”

Kevin pulled Nuella closer and looked at his mum again. “This is Nuella Lowes, my wife.”

Nuella felt the tip of her ears grow hotter but she managed a small smile. “Good evening ma. Happy birthday.” Then she held out the gift bag for her.

“Your wife? What is the meaning of this Kevin? Who is this strange woman you have brought here?” his father asked and Nuella shuddered at the tremor in his voice.

She gulped and looked away, unable to meet his eyes. There was so much hate in them.

“Dad, I do not appreciate the way you're speaking about my wife. Please Mum tell him,” Kevin finally spoke and Nuella relaxed at his side grateful that he had stood up for her.

“Issac please, we have guests.” His mother, Georgina, scolded as she sent Nuella a polite smile. “Thank you for my gift dear. Please come in.”

“How do you expect me to explain this to the Storms? Why are you so hellbent on disgracing me?!”

She and Kevin walked into the house and stood to the side as more guests poured into the house.

It seemed rich people liked to party hard and in style, Nuella concluded as she looked around.

“Do you want anything?” Kevin asked her but she shook her head and held on tighter to him. “I'm not going anywhere,” he assured her with a smile and she relaxed.

As they were standing there together, a strange woman ran up to them and jumped on Kevin, sending Nuella staggering a few feet backwards.

“Baby!”

Baby?