005 *Bailey*

“What?!"

“No way!"

“Like hell you're not!"

Chaos erupts as soon as the words leave me, and if I'm not riding on the adrenaline of hurting Sierra, I would be scared. But the thing is, I’ve lost too much to her just to walk away yet again.

“What are you doing?" Romeo mutters beside me, unlinking our arms. I swallow, bracing myself as I face him.

"Please, don't say no. All I need is just six months, that's all. Six months to prove to you that this isn't a mistake.”

He steps away, his face darkening in horror.

"Are you joking?"

“Please, I need you to trust me." I beg.

"Hell no,” he says coldly. Sighing, he holds my gaze, speaking calmly. “You have no idea what you’re asking for,” he scoffs. “Listen and hear me clearly. This marriage will be annulled.”

I hear a mocking laughter behind me and it doesn't take a genius to know whose it is.

My stomach clenches and I drop my hands on my waist, making a bold move.

"You can't force me to end this marriage like you forced me to enter it." I declare.

“What is she talking about?" The older woman asks.

“Ignore her, Grandmother. She's lost her mind."

Well then…

“No, I haven't. I wasn't going to say I do, because I was confused. But you convinced me— no, you seduced me with the promise of a kiss!” I spin an elaborate tale with a racing heart, watching nervously as his grandmother absorbs every word.

"Is this true?” She queries. He hesitates, glaring at me.

“I believed she was Sierra.” His jaw tightens. “I would never—”

"Sierra?” His grandmother scoffs. "You expect me to believe that?” She asks, and when he doesn't answer, she continues.

"You don't like the girl, Romeo. This marriage is happening because I insisted on it. So color me shocked now that you are admitting to coercing the bride you didn't want to marry to say I do.”

“That's not what happened. At least not how she's making it out to be. Listen to me, grandmother,” He takes her hands, lowering his voice.

“Yes, I didn't want to marry Sierra, but you made me see reasons. Now, I was certain she wanted this marriage.

Hell, she threw a big fit this morning because I refused the vows she wrote! So when she hesitated, I thought maybe she was looking for attention, and I'd had a long day, so…”

"So you seduced her?” She cuts in.

"That’s not what happened.” His expression hardens, and I almost feel bad for him. All I have to do is glance at Sierra's crumpled face and feel proud of myself all over again.

I'm winning this round.

And I hate how good it feels.

“That's not what she's saying, and you more than anyone knows how important this family name is and therefore cannot be involved in any form of scandal." She says, nodding towards the recording phones.

"Grandmother,” Romeo shakes his head.

"It's just six months, Romeo. You can get an annulment after it ends and still feel this way." She declares.

Romeo's lips flatten and his eyes meet mine. For a moment, an expression flashes over his face and it dangerously looks like recognition— like he's seen through me and he’s already decided what to do about it.

“This isn’t over.” He holds my gaze for one charged second, then walks away.

I watch him leave with a bitter taste in my mouth, realizing I just made an enemy out of the one person I need to make this work.

“Ah, men, they turn into big babies when they can't get what they want. Ignore him.” His grandmother says, smiling at me.

I smile back at her shakily, nervous as she gives me a once-over.

"Hmm. Something tells me I'll like you. Martha.” She stretches her hand out to me, and I take it in a nervous handshake.

"Bailey.” I murmur.

She smiles, patting the back of my palm.

"Martha, what are you doing? This isn't right.” My father speaks, approaching us. I turn, seeing Sierra and her mother huddled together and shooting me daggers.

“What isn't right, Martins?" Martha asks.

Hesitantly, he glances in my direction, shaking his head before he faces her again.

"Sierra was supposed to marry Romeo. We had an agreement.” He snaps.

"Well, yes, but you see that things have changed and are out of my hands. Besides, Bailey is your daughter, too, right? So the way I see it, we're still in-laws.”

"But…"

“But nothing. Take your daughter home, Martins. She caused this herself when she left her own wedding to ruin another's. She left my grandson standing at the altar for three good hours!” Martha cuts him off.

"Yes, Martha, she's seen the errors in her ways now, but that doesn't mean she should be punished harshly for it.” He tries to reason.

“Punishment? No one is punishing anybody. What's done is done, and nothing can be changed about it until, well, six months. And I expect you people to respect Bailey. She's a Lancaster now, alright?

Good. Take Sierra home; she's had a long day, let her get some rest. If you can still make the trip, we'll talk better tomorrow.” Martha says. “Camilla, Sierra." She nods.

"Come, I'll show you where he is.” She says, gripping my hand, and I follow her mutely, trying to understand why in the world she's supporting me.

She shouldn't be.

As we approach the door, the crowds clatter, trying to hide their phones. She pauses, glancing through them meaningfully, before raising her shoulder high.

“I do hope that anyone stupid enough among you to release a scandalous video involving any member of my family has a competent lawyer on speed dial.” She announces loudly, waiting for her words to sink in before she begins to walk away.

She walks me down the path I took earlier in a different state of mind, and soon we are in front of Romeo's office. She releases my hand, nodding for me to go in. She turns to walk away.

"Why?” I blurt out. She freezes, glancing back at me with a raised brow.

"Why what?” She murmurs.

"Why are you supporting me? I mean it... it doesn't make any sense.” I stutter.

She chuckles, nodding slowly.

"Let's just say I have a thing for the underdog, huh?" With that, she walks away, leaving me to face the ripple effects of the chaos I've created.