Chapter 4: The Contracted Bride

★Sienna's POV★

“Can you just shut up? You have no right to speak to my wife like that—even if you're her aunt,” Denver snapped, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. His cold glare pierced through Tita Regina, who turned her fury on me instead. Her daughter, Matilda, stood frozen beside her, too shocked to speak.

“And you, Oliver? You think my wife would stoop to your level?” Denver continued, shifting his icy gaze to the man beside her. “You're nothing but a womanizer.”

Wait—what? They’re brothers? That’s terrifying. I’d seen Denver angry before, but never like this. He was a storm barely restrained, and seeing him this livid was honestly unsettling.

“You want proof?” he said with sharp finality, turning to his brother. “Mav, give them the proof they’re asking for.”

Without hesitation, Maverick stepped forward and handed an envelope to their parents. Inside was a copy of our marriage certificate.

A civil wedding—quick, quiet, and shockingly fast. Honestly, I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. There had been no grand ceremony, no flowers or long aisle. Just a courthouse, a judge, and a few people: Xandro, Denver’s close friend; his parents; and Maverick, who struck me as the opposite of his brother—gentle, observant, calm.

“This can’t be real! I won’t accept it!” screamed a girl from the crowd. She lunged forward, trying to snatch the certificate and tear it apart.

But Maverick stepped in, swift and firm, pulling it out of reach before she could lay a finger on it.

Who was she? Could she be Denver’s supposed fiancée?

“Face it, Lisha. Kuya doesn’t want you,” Maverick said with unnerving coolness as he turned back to his seat.

“Accept it, Dad—you don’t get to control my life,” Denver added, his voice low but unshakable.

Then he reached for my hand and, without another word, led me out of the mansion. The crowd parted in stunned silence as we walked through the grand halls and out into the night.

He ushered me into his car and drove off like he had a personal vendetta against the highway.

“Hey! Denver, slow down!” I shouted, clinging to my seatbelt. “Do you want me to end up in the hospital like my brother?!”

At my words, he hit the brakes so hard I was jolted forward. The tires screeched as the car lurched to a stop by the roadside.

“Jesus, Denver!” I yelled, heart pounding in my chest. “What is wrong with you?! Are you trying to get us killed?”

He turned to me, his eyes no longer fiery, but filled with concern. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

I nodded, still breathless, still wary of the man beside me.

This man… Did he really drag me into this contract marriage just to get out of an engagement with that Lisha girl?

As if reading my mind, Denver spoke again, his voice softer now. “Tomorrow, I’ll come with you to the hospital—like we discussed.”

I was too stunned to respond.

“You can stay at the mansion tonight. It’s already late, and it’s dangerous out there.”

“But—” I began, but he cut me off.

“No buts. I’m not letting you go back there,” he said firmly, already restarting the engine.

I glanced back at the road, resigned. Truthfully, I didn’t have anywhere else to go. If I returned to Tita Regina’s, she might actually try to kill me in my sleep.

★The Next Day★

The drive to Soriano Memorial Hospital took five hours. We left before sunrise, the city lights behind us fading into early morning haze. I watched Denver as he drove, wondering what was going on in his mind.

“By the way, Denver… what’s your plan now?” I asked, voice tentative.

“You’re coming back as my secretary. And you’ll be living with me in the mansion,” he replied without skipping a beat.

“But—” I began again, frustrated.

“No buts. It’s just for two years, remember? Don’t stress about it.”

Ugh. Why did he always do that? Couldn’t he let me finish a single sentence?

“Wait a second. Let me finish,” I said, trying not to snap. “How can I go back as your secretary? Didn’t you replace me already?”

He didn’t take his eyes off the road. “I didn’t replace you. It’s hard to find someone like you.”

I stared at him, stunned. Did he just say it was hard to replace me? Was I really that competent in his eyes?

When we arrived, the hospital guard greeted him politely. “Good morning, Sir Denver.”

That surprised me. Denver wasn’t exactly the friendly type. Most people found him intimidating—and now I could see why.

“Good morning,” he replied flatly.

We headed straight to the ward. My mother and brother were still unconscious, lying motionless under the harsh white lights.

“Their injuries are severe,” Denver muttered as he looked at them. I sat beside Mama, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“This hospital is too far from the condo. We’ll transfer them to another facility,” he added, sitting next to me.

“I’ll take care of everything. It’s part of our marriage agreement.”

I didn’t respond. I just stared at my family, trying to push down the rising ache in my chest. No matter how kind Denver acted now, I still couldn’t forgive him for what happened to Kuya.

“Sir Denver, I didn’t know you were here,” said a voice behind us. It was Dr. Salvi, my family’s attending physician. He looked surprised.

Why did everyone here seem to know him?

“What’s the total bill?” Denver asked. “I’ll settle it now. And I want to transfer my mother-in-law and brother-in-law to a hospital in Manila.”

“Which hospital, sir? You have several,” the doctor replied with a chuckle.

“Specifically, Soriano General Hospital.”

Wait—his hospital?

“Do you… own that hospital?” I asked, blinking at him.

“Yes,” he replied. “Soriano is my mom’s surname. Her whole family are doctors. She’s currently working at Soriano Health Care in Bataan—she prefers it there.”

We sat quietly after that, waiting for Dr. Salvi to return.

“They separated—my mom and dad,” Denver said suddenly. “She caught him cheating again. With his own secretary, this time. She filed for divorce right after.”

I stared at him. I didn’t expect him to open up like that.

“And Dad didn’t even fight it,” he continued. “He wanted the divorce, too. A few months later, he had someone new.”

This man—this cold, intimidating CEO—was sharing something raw. Something personal.

And honestly? He didn’t seem like the monster I once thought he was.

But still… I couldn’t forget what he did to my brother.

No matter how human he seemed now, I couldn’t erase that part of him. Not yet.