Heiress Return: His Unwanted Bride

Chapter 3

Kayla's Pov

Grandpa reached for my hands and gave them another light squeeze as if they would revive my aching heart. “You don't have to worry about finding a husband, kiddo. It has already been arranged.”

My blood iced.

No, it can't be.

“I've found a suitable match for you.” Grandpa dropped the bombshell with no warning.

The fragments of his declaration blasted through my chest and I almost lost my composure.

For once, I attempted denying him his wish.

Arranged marriages were a common practice in our world of big businesses and power play. Marriages were never love matches. They were alliances between families. The same loveless arranged marriage my late mother had with father.

A bitter taste of shock and dread sloshed down my throat. I was expected to enter a lifetime contract with a man I didn't even know.

“I hope I wasn't being too selfish.” Grandpa said softly.

His words sliced through my heart like a blade. I couldn't say no to him.

“No. It's fine. I'll get married, grandpa, if that will make you happy.” I smiled.

“Thank you, dear,” he smiled. “He'll be here soon.”

“Here? As in, tonight? Now?” My voice came out with a squeak.

Being “ambushed” with the news of an arranged marriage was one thing. Meeting my future husband with zero preparations was another.

My stomach lurched and I nearly heaved all my stomach's contents.

I pulled away from him slowly. “Can I use the restroom for a minute? I'll be back.”

“Okay, dear. I'll be here.” He smiled.

I practically ran to the door and shoved it open before closing it behind me.

Everything was happening too fast. The summon, the news of my marriage, the meeting which would happen very soon. My head hurt from trying to keep up with what was going on.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't grandpa's favourite.” Isabel scoffed with spite.

I pinched the skin between my brows and sighed. “I don't have time for this.”

“Perhaps, you'll have time for your future husband then,” Yvonne snickered, nudging her daughter by the arm before they burst into laughter.

My eyes widened. How do they know about the arrangement?

Then it hit me. They've been eavesdropping.

“It's ironic how you and your mother will suffer the same fate,” Yvonne went on with a grin. “Trapped in a loveless marriage with nowhere to go. How cruel.”

I clenched my fist so hard, my nails dug into my plan. “Don't mention my mother or —”

“— or else what?!” Isabel stepped in front of her own mother. “She’s dead, girl. Wake up.”

My eyes filled but I blinked the tears away, swearing never to give them the satisfaction of watching me cry.

“You will end up like that slut,” Yvonne sidestepped Isabel to stand in front of me now, her fingers jabbing into my blouse as she enunciated every word. “Old. Wretched. And so f*****g Lonely.”

I pushed her hand away and returned to grandpa's room.

Grandpa leaned against his pillow. “Oh, you're back already? I'm sorry for the short notice. He didn't confirm the meeting until today due to some scheduling complications.”

I drowned out the rest of his words. All I could think about was how miserable my mother turned out after her arranged marriage with father.

Would I meet the same fate she did? Dying all alone in agony?

Would Yvonne and Isabel turn out to be right?

I lifted my head to look at Grandpa. He was still talking about this “husband” of mine.

“Vogue named him one of the world's most eligible bachelors and billionaire of the century.” Grandpa willed me to come closer as he spoke with glee.

I hadn't seen him this animated since I graduated college 8 years ago. He was really looking forward to my wedding with this stranger.

At least my match probably has all his teeth since Vogue named him an eligible bachelor. I knew grandpa wasn't cruel enough to marry me off to some sickly billionaire on his deathbed.

I wiped a palm against my thigh and forced a light tone. “So does this husband of mine have a name?”

“He certainly does.”

My spine stiffened at the deep voice behind me.

“Ah, there you are,” Grandpa sat up, a strangely triumphant gleam dancing in his green eyes. “Thank you for coming at such short notice.”

“How could I pass up the opportunity to meet your lovely granddaughter?” The man replied, a hint of mockery tainting the word ‘lovely’.

Ice doused the heat in my veins. What was wrong with him?

“Sweetie, say hello to our guest.” If grandpa beamed any harder, his face would split in half.

I stood and turned and all the air whooshed out of my lungs.

With thick black hair, luminous pale skin, and a roguish grin that'll make even the oldest woman in the world swoon, my future husband was devastation poured into a suit. And unlike his voice, his face was very recognizable.

My heart sank in shock.

There was no way HE had to be my arranged husband. Was this some kind of joke?

“Kayla?” Grandpa called softly.

I cleared my throat and extended my hand towards my husband. “Hi. I'm Kayla.”

He hesitated for a moment before taking it in his. “I’m surprised. I thought your name was sweetie. Anyways, the name's Adam Gallagher.”

There was that mockery again. I will kill this man.

Why would grandpa choose him of all people?

Adam Gallagher, the elusive billionaire every woman flung herself to and whom, I'd heard, flirted with half the city. If there's anything I know about men like him is that : he had no intention of giving up on his bachelor lifestyle. So why the hell did he even agree to marry me?

When I didn't say anything again, Adam let go of my hand and grinned. “It's a pleasure meeting you, Sweetie. I mean Kayla.”

He was mocking me again.

I

bit back a retort and glared at him.

If I get married to this man… I was going to divorce him as soon as possible.