Chapter 1
Everyone said Kerian Howard was hopelessly in love–but only with Victoria Wenmir!]
The day she turned eighteen, Kerian couldn’t wait to propose
Yet this same man who had sworn to marry her stood her up nine times at the courthouse.
First time: last–minute cancellation–said he had to take Sophia Lavirins to Disneyland for the fireworks show
Second time: he flew straight to the Maldives just because Sophia had casually mentioned “I wanna see the ocean.”
Second time: just as they reached the courthouse entrance, he got a call saying Sophia was having an emergency appendectomy.
Every single time, he would stroke Victoria’s hair with that same line.
“Come on, babe, don’t be upset with her. She’s my best buddy’s little sister, and with her brother studying abroad. I’m all she’s got right now.“]
The ninth time, Victoria waited at the courthouse until dark again–and he never showed
She dragged herself home in the pouring rain, only to accidentally discover Kerian and Sophia’s marriage certificate in his desk drawer.
“Explain this.”
Victoria slammed the certificate onto the coffee table, her voice trembling
Kerian looked up from his paperwork, his long fingers rubbing his temples
“I was gonna keep it from you… just didn’t want you overthinking it.“||
“Sophia was two credits short of graduating, and getting married would give her those credits”
“She was crying so hard, so said I’d help. Once she graduates, I’ll divorce ber immediately and marry you instead. Okay?
Victoria’s heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible fist. []
Waves of pain, despair, and betrayal crashed over her, making it hard to breathe
She wanted to demand an answer from Kerian:[]
was to him?
What the hell did he think she was to
She wanted to ask him-
If he knew those nine no–shows had made her the laughingstock of their entire social circle
U he remembered any of those promises he’d made when he proposed.
If he could even recall sixteen–year–old Kerian swearing he’d never let Victoria get hurt–not even a little bit.]
But instead, she just smiled through her tears.]
“Don’t worry about it. Hope you two live happily ever after.”
Kerian’s expression shifted, and he immediately reached for her tears, his voice edged with irritation.
But instead, she just smiled through her tears.
“Don’t worry about it. Hope you two live happily ever after.”
Kerian’s expression shifted, and he immediately reached for her tears, his voice edged with irritation. []
“Vic, what the bell? You know I love you. Sophia’s just like a little sister to me–why would you even think-“]
Before the words had even settled, his phone started buzzing.
One glance at the screen and he was already answering. “Hey, Sophia. What’s wrong?”
Whatever she said made him chuckle softly as he grabbed his car keys.
“Yeah, I’m on my way
He hung up and rushed out, leaving the living room in dead silence.
Victoria’s hands shook as she picked up the marriage certificate, the bright cover burning her fingertips.]
She and Kerian had grown up together–childhood sweethearts who’d been inseparable.
Everyone knew he spoiled her rotten.[
He’d carry her to bed when she fell asleep doing homework. []
He’d sprint through every store in town embarrassed, looking for tampons during her first period.
He’d rent out entire amusement parks for her eighteenth birthday.
And his phone was basically a Victoria photo gallery.
Their friends always teased him about being “Victoria’s lovesick puppy,” and he’d just smirk proudly:
“Hell yeah, I am. Being whipped is the best quality a guy can have.”
Until a year ago, when Kerian’s best friend Askhan Lavirins moved to Europe, and Kerian decided to look after” his little sister Sophia
Victoria never thought “looking after meant marrying her.[
Her phone buzzed with a text from her best friend: “Vie, people are talking about Kerian ditching you again… They’re saying some really nasty stuff. Just ignore them, okay?”
Victoria’s body trembled slightly
Yeah, she’d become the joke of New York’s elite social scene, while the guy who’d promised to protect her forever was busy comforting another woman
Fine.
If he didn’t want to get married, she’d find someone else
else who did.]
Victoria scrolled through her contacts and stopped at “Askhan Lavirins.”
She remembered the last time she’d seen him–at Kerian’s engagement party.
She’d been drunk, passed out on the couch, when someone kissed her. She’d thought was staring into Askhan’s intense gaze.
The next day, Askhan left for Europe without a word of explanation.[]
Taking a deep breath, Victoria hit call.
Kerian, but when she opened her eyes, she
If Sophia could steal her fiance, then Askhan–as her brother–could damn well make it up to her.
He picked up on the first ring, but said nothing. Just quiet breathing.
“Askhan,” Victoria’s voice finally broke the silence, “you kissed me a year ago. You should take responsibility!”
Silence for a few seconds, then Askhan’s voice came through, low and rough.
What kind of responsibility are you talking about?“]
“Marry me.” Victoria gripped the phone tighter. “Don’t ask why. Just tell me–yes or no?”
