CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO : HE IS AT MY ENGAGEMENT PARTY

“What?” I asked, shocked. My eyes widened like saucers as everything clicked into place.

She had already planned ahead, it seemed. She knew I would definitely agree to her demands and sign the contract as long as it was my mother’s life.

“Do you think I am lying Leah? It seems you still don't know me well after all,” she said, her lips tilting sideways in a smirk.

“Good thing I recorded the call from the hospital,” she said smugly, picking up her phone as she hit play.

The doctor's sad voice filled the room. My heart shattered with pain as I heard him speak about my mother’s condition.

Three years ago—I just entered my twenties, young and scared for my mother’s life, and desperate for help. When Vivian came with a way out I greedily accepted it without thinking of reading through the contract.

And today again, I still remain the same, desperate for help again, and willing to do anything to save my mother, even going as far as throwing my life away.

“Where are the papers Vivian? I’ll sign the contract,” I said hoarsely, my voice shook from pain, but I held on to my tears still not wanting Vivian to see even a drop.

“I know you’ll make the correct decision, like the last time Leah,” Vivian said, handing the document over to me, along with a pen as I signed my life away for the second time to her.

——

“Wow madam, you look so beautiful. The master's head would surely turn at the sight of you,” the make-up artist said, as she admired her work.

I wanted to scoff at her, but I held back my reaction.

I doubt I was enough to turn Xavier’s head, when he would be too busy eyes fucking Natasha, and that thought alone was enough to make me shudder.

“You look beautiful Leah. I have waited for this day my entire life,” Xavier said, his eyes shining with honesty, that made my stomach churn.

Either Xavier really had a change of heart or he was a great actor.

“Thank you,” I said with a soft smile when I remembered the additional clause Vivian added to the new contract I signed.

I made sure to read the contract very well this time, each line at a time.

It stated that I must maintain a cordial relationship with Xavier throughout the period before our marriage, making sure to appear as a lovely couple or else the contract would be deemed void and terminated.

And I could not afford for that to happen.

Xavier grinned brightly at me, his hands going to wrap around my waist making me recoil lightly at his touch.

He held on tightly and affectionately, even going as far as kissing my lips while I let out a false smile as the camera clicked severally. The lights blinded my eyes for a moment.

“Oh my, is that the young master of the Blackwood,” a feminine voice shouted, cutting Xavier’s affectionate acts towards me.

Everyone’s attention was immediately switched to the door where a tall man stood, flocked around my other men in suits and the press as cameras clicked tirelessly around him.

He walked in my engagement hall like he owned the place.

Feminine squeals erupted around the hall in his presence, along with murmurs from men till he settled completely in the hall and everywhere grew quiet.

It was like he drained the whole room of breath along with his presence, and I wondered if anyone else was feeling that way.

“The Heir of the Blackwood is even finer in person,” a female voice cut through the now quiet room.

A heated gaze burned through the skin of my face, from the podium where I stood.

My eyes swayed through the crowd, till it settled on dark green eyes, and immediately all the air was expelled from my lungs as I took him in.

Clad in a dark suit as always, his green eyes seared through mine, never straying away, not even for a moment.

He looked at me like I was the only thing he could see-—and to me, he was the only thing I could see.

He walked towards where I stood, taking more air with him, along with every movement his legs made.

“Congratulations Kingsley, you seem to have snatched yourself a real prize this time,” Ethan's deep baritone voice rang out, sending shivers down my spine.

Xavier’s hands on my waist tightened to the point of pain making me flinch, as Ethan’s eyes followed my movements, to where Xavier’s hands rested and his jaws tightened.

“Thank you Mr Blackwood.

You seem to have snagged up an equally beautiful woman too.

Who’s your date this time?” Xavier said through gritted teeth and immediately my eyes snapped to the elegantly dressed female figure beside Ethan and for the second time today, I flinched but not from pain this time, rather surprise and shock when I took in the face beside Ethan.