Ch. 1..10

Chapter 1 Married Someone Else

[Audrey, Guess what? Dominic is in my bed right now.]

When Audrey Rhodes received that text from Eliza Harper, she was standing in her wedding dress, getting ready for her big day. The message hit her like a punch to the gut.

Just moments away from saying "I do," and the man she was about to marry was wrapped up in another woman's sheets. And that woman was her best friend.

It felt like a vice gripping her heart, making it tough to catch her breath. But somehow, she managed to keep her cool and called Dominic Hayes.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Dominia finally picked up. His voice was ice cold. "Eliza needs me right now, so we're going to have to delay the wedding. I'll make it up to you afterwards."

The words "make it up" landed like a heavy anchor on her heart. It was all real-while everyone was waiting for the ceremony to start, Dominic was actually with someone else.

Audrey couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Her wedding was about to kick off in front of all their friends and family, and her future husband had left her to handle that chaos by herself.

Feeling utterly defeated, Audrey dialed another number. "Mom, where are you and Dad? Why aren't you here yet?"

"Audrey, I'm really sorry, but Eliza suddenly fell ill. We might not make it," said Fiona Rhodes.

Hearing that made Audrey's heart drop. Just three days ago, her parents had seen the birthmark on Eliza's back while Eliza was trying on bridesmaid dresses. That was when they realized Eliza was their real daughter. Audrey had hoped that after twenty years of bonding, her family wouldn't turn their backs on her. But it turned out she was wrong.

She thought her family would always have her back. But now, at the worst moment possible, they had completely abandoned her.

Audrey felt completely out of place, not even sure how she ended up at the wedding venue. Standing in front of the hall, surrounded by smiling guests and the lively atmosphere, she couldn't shake off the ache in her heart-it felt like it was tearing her apart. At that moment, she made a bold choice. She walked up to the stage and grabbed the microphone. "Hey everyone, I'm really sorry, but the groom has a bit of a situation and might not be able to make it.

"So, I'm wondering if anyone here would be willing to marry me right now. If so, let's do this!"

As soon as she finished speaking, it was like someone dropped a bomb in the room.

"What just happened? Did the groom really bail?"

"Seems like it. Otherwise, why would the bride be asking for a marriage proposal on the spot?"

"Even if he ran off, is it really necessary to ask someone else to marry her right here? Everyone here is connected to the bride and groom in some way. This is super awkward."

Audrey realized her idea was pretty out there, but there was no turning back now. Just when the tension in the room hit its peak, a tall guy stood up. "I'll marry you," he said, his deep voice cutting through the silence.

The shock wave rippled through the crowd. No one expected anyone to actually step up and say they'd marry her like that.

"Who's this guy?"

"Honestly, no clue. I haven't seen him before. He doesn't look like he's from Riverdale's elite crowd."

With the Rhodes and Hayes families getting hitched today, all eyes were on the high-profile guests-celebrities and dignitaries from Riverdale. This mysterious guy clearly wasn't on their radar.

Maybe he was some VIP they had just never met, or perhaps he was just an outsider who accidentally wandered into the party.

"Isn't he sitting with the other guys? Some guest from the Hayes family?" For a moment, curiosity buzzed around the room like crazy.

When Audrey spotted the man who suddenly stood up, she felt a bit taken aback. He had a face that stood out-sharp eyebrows, a straight nose, and an overall strong presence that seemed to make people around him a little intimidated. Standing at 5'5" in her high heels, Audrey only reached his collarbone.

Honestly, this guy was way more handsome than Dominic. He didn't look like someone on a hunt for a wife. Audrey couldn't help but wonder if he had some hidden secret that was keeping him off the market.

But right now, that wasn't Audrey's focus. She was determined to get married today and use it as a chance to break away from the Rhodes family.

Taking a deep breath, she studied the man for a moment and then asked, her voice steady but assertive, "Are you really willing to marry me?" She feared he was just flirting with her.

In the crowd, the man met her gaze, his eyes intense and steady. "I never joke about important things like this."

Curious, Audrey pressed, "And what's your name?"

"Alistair Hayes," he replied, his voice smooth and captivating.

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "Hayes? How are you related to Dominic?"

"I'm sort of like his little uncle," Alistair said.

"Little uncle?" Audrey arched an eyebrow.

"Just a distant relative," Alistair clarified, putting emphasis on the "distant."

That eased Audrey's mind a bit-"distant" meant no future worries, but she still couldn't help but reaffirm it. "You're sure you won't regret it?"

"I don't have 'regret' in my vocabulary." Alistair's confidence was like a reassuring anchor for her.

"Alright, let's exchange rings then." Audrey popped open the ring box, slid the ring onto his finger, and instructed him to do the same.

The handover was quick and simple, and both of them closed the rings on each other's hands. The emcee looked a bit stunned, clearly caught off guard by such a casual ceremony.

"This is ridiculous. How can this whole marriage thing be so laid-back?"

"Is Audrey crazy? Her fiancé and the Hayes family didn't even show up. She shouldn't be going through with this."

But Audrey brushed off all the chatter around her. She turned to the guests, beaming, and announced, "Thanks for coming to the wedding! Since I'm married to Alistair, from this point on, I won't have any ties with the Rhodes family from Riverdale. This ceremony is done, so let's kick off the banquet!"

The banquet was already in full swing, but Dominic's parents were still on their way. About half an hour later, the Hayes family's car finally rolled up in front of the wedding venue.

Zephyra Hayes was not thrilled about this. As she got out of the car, she yelled over to Francis Hayes, "I told you we shouldn't come so early. So what if we're late? If we don't give Audrey a piece of my mind, she's going to boss around as soon as she walks in our front door."

To be honest, Zephyra had never liked Audrey much. She hadn't out any effort in the wedding, yet she still wanted to maintain her authority on Audrey's big day. But now it seemed like their plans were falling apart.

When Francis and Zephyra walked into the ballroom, they heard from some guests that Audrey had left with her new husband. Confusion set in for themy as they realized that Audrey hadn't married Dominic but had impulsively married someone else instead. Zephyra was fuming and shouted, "That bitch is totally disrespecting our family! I want to see who she's marrying."

She grabbed Francis and rushed out of the banquet hall, just in time to spot Audrey in her wedding dress getting into a car by the roadside. The guy next to her held the door open for her before hopping in as well.

By the time they caught up, the car had already taken off. Zephyra was boiling with rage, stomping around in frustration. Meanwhile, Francis seemed a bit dazed and chimed in, "Babe, don't you think that guy kinda looked like Mr. Hayes?"

"Mr. Hayes? Alistair?" Zephyra shot him a look, shaking her head. "No way! Why would he show up here? You must've seen it wrong."

Sure, they had sent invites to those distant relatives in Willowdale, but even the butler was reluctant to attend. And Alistair was the youngest one running the Hayes family. It had to be a mistake. No way Audrey could manage to hitch a ride with someone that important.

 

Chapter 2 A Bank Card

The Rhodes family lived in a nice two-story cottage in a wealthy part of Riverdale, complete with a spacious parking pad in front. A low-profile Volkswagen pulled up in front of their door.

Audrey hopped out, her long white wedding dress getting caught on the seat. She felt a tear as she stepped out-there was a big hole in the hem.

But surprisingly, she didn't seem bothered at all. Instead, she quickly ripped off the trailing tail of the dress and glanced sideways at the closed villa door nearby.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" a low, mellow voice asked from behind her.

Audrey suddenly remembered she wasn't alone. She turned to look at her new husband from their whirlwind marriage, feeling a bit awkward. She touched her nose nervously and smiled. "No, I've got this on my own." Even though they'd just tied the knot, she wasn't quite ready for Alistair to meet her family.

It felt like saying he wasn't part of her world yet. Luckily, Alistair didn't push the issue. He simply pulled out a dark green bank card and handed it to her without a word. "Take this."

It was a dark green bank card. He held it out between his slim fingers. Audrey blinked in surprise. "What's this for?"

"I have some stuff to take care of, so I can't wait around," Alistair explained calmly. "Just head to our new place and grab whatever you need. If anything's missing, go ahead and use this card-no password needed."

On the way there, Alistair had mentioned buying a new house in Riverdale and hoped she would move in with him. Audrey wasn't too keen on sticking around her family, so she hadn't objected.

But she hadn't expected him to hand over the financial reins like this, basically making her the one in charge. 'Talk about adapting quickly,' she thought.

Still, she wasn't exactly thrilled about spending his money. She didn't know much about him, aside from the fact that he drove an older Volkswagen worth around tens of thousands of dollars.

His family seemed pretty average, so it felt wrong to let him foot the bill, especially since he just bought the house. But rejecting his offer outright didn't seem like a good idea either. After all, guys liked to keep their pride intact.

Audrey rolled her eyes and gently placed her hand on his wrist, pushing the card back toward him with a flirtatious smile. "Come on, you know we haven't even gotten our license yet. Aren't you worried I might just run off with your money?" "Not a chance," Alistair replied, raising his enchanting eyes slightly, a playful glimmer dancing in them. "Unless your proposal was just a whim, and you have no intention of being responsible for me."

There was something odd about how the word "responsible" slipped from his lips, so devoid of emotion yet charged with meaning. Audrey blinked, taken aback. "Of course I'm serious. It's just that..."

She hesitated, still wanting to refuse him. But before she could finish her thought, Alistair had already slipped the bank card into her hand without a second thought.

"Listen, we might not have the legal certificate yet, but since we had a wedding, I feel like I ought to do my part, even if we're not officially husband and wife." He looked at her with a serious expression, an undeniable presence radiating from him. Before Audrey could respond, he continued, "Just take it. It's not a huge amount, but it should help take care of our family."

The edge of the card grazed her palm as Audrey clenched it gently. "It's not like you're the only one responsible for the family."

Alistair chuckled softly, a hint of charm in his voice. "Then think of it as my way of trying to earn some brownie points. Just don't turn me down."

It would be pretty embarrassing if his buddies in Willodale knew that he made the first move and got shot down. He insisted, and she sighed in exasperation. "Fine, I'll just keep the card for now."

But in her heart, she was determined not to touch the money. She still didn't know if they could make it work, so there was no point in spending his cash.

Alistair gave her a knowing look, as if he sensed her thoughts, but he didn't push it. For him, her accepting the card was a solid step forward.

With that, he climbed into his car, ready to leave. Audrey stood by the curb, almost instinctively saying, "Drive safely."

The moment the words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted, and a cozy vibe of a newlywed couple settled between them. A smile tugged at the corners of Alistair's mouth. "Alright, I'll see you later."

After watching the car drive away, Audrey finally made her way to the front door of the Rhodes family villa, taking a deep breath at the entrance. Her thoughts wandered back to the frostiness in her parents' voices during their phone call.

She hesitated as she pushed the gate open, feeling an unease settle in. Once inside, she had to navigate through a flower-lined cloister and past a quaint little garden before reaching the main hall. "Dominic..." The soft whisper seemed to float from the flowers.

Audrey found herself drawn to the sound, her feet moving almost of their own accord. But just as suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks, a cold wave washing over her, seeping into her very core.

 

 

Chapter 3 An Outsider

Sitting on the garden swing that Audrey's parents had lovingly built for her, Eliza wrapped her arms around Dominic's neck and leaned in for a kiss.

The swing creaked, and Dominic was taken aback for just a moment before he jumped right in and wrapped his arms around Eliza's slim waist.

The wind blew gently through the fluttering petals as Eliza and Dominic shared a passionate kiss. Audrey's heart was breaking, and Eliza's moans, ringing in her ears, was making it hurt a little bit more with each passing moment. Audrey thought she had moved past it, but seeing that scene brought all the sadness flooding back. It was not in her nature to easily take on other people's emotions.

At first, Dominic pursued her for ages until he finally won her over. Even once they were a couple, it took a while for her to fully let him into her heart.

Between her hectic college life and everything else, she still made time to cook for him on more than a few occasions. But over time, she noticed a change in Dominic. His warmth faded, and she could feel the distance growing between them. Each time he seemed indifferent, she found herself questioning whether she wasn't doing enough to keep him interested. As the days went on, it became clear that everything she gave felt more like wishful thinking than real love.

The memory of Dominic who once held her hand and promised to treat her like a treasure only dragged her deeper into despair. She realized it was because she refused to have sex with him before marriage. Audrey felt a pang in her chest and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Eliza seemed to have no problem doing all those things she struggled with, and deep down, she almost felt like she deserved to be left behind. It turned out that Eliza and Dominic were the match made in heaven-a bitch and a scumbag.

Audrey pulled her gaze away, steeling herself as she approached the house. Just as she reached for the door, it swung open.

Fiona's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Audrey in a wedding dress. "Audrey, you're back!" she exclaimed. They hadn't attended Audrey's wedding because Eliza had fallen ill, and the guilt still lingered. "Yeah, just came to grab a few things," Audrey replied, noting the strange look on Fiona's face. A sharp pang of hurt shot through her.

Fiona had once been her dearest mother, but now she looked at Audrey like Audrey was an outsider-as if Audrey didn't belong here anymore. After all, their real daughter had returned, and there was no place for Audrey now. Pushing the bitterness aside, Audrey tried to step past Fiona into the house, but then she heard a voice call out, "Audrey." Panic clung to his tone as hurried footsteps approached.

It was then that Fiona caught sight of Eliza and Dominic in the small garden. One glance told her everything about what they'd been up to.

Fiona felt a rush of guilt and pity as she looked at Audrey. Slowly, Audrey turned back and saw Dominic-his mouth marked with smudged lipstick, his shirt wrinkled.

His eyes looked like they had a million things to say, but she wasn't interested in hearing any of it.

She shot him a cold look, and he could feel his heart drop. Those eyes that used to be warm and full of love now felt like ice. "Audrey, the wedding-" he started but was cut off.

"I'm so sorry, Audrey! It's all my fault!" Eliza rushed over, tears in her eyes, as she grabbed Audrey's hand. Audrey instinctively pulled away.

Eliza, taken aback, continued with tears streaming down her face, "If I hadn't fainted, your wedding with Dominic wouldn't have been postponed. You can blame me. Dominic was just worried about me. He didn't mean to leave you hanging."

With red eyes, she added, "Just blame it on me. You could have handled it without Dominic. Meanwhile, I can't seem to do anything right-I just keep relying on him."

Her words, wrapped in a veneer of apology, felt like daggers to Audrey's heart.

Eliza's True Color

Eliza was clearly shameless. It was just so frustrating to see. 'How on earth did I used to be best friends with someone like her?' Audrey wondered.

The moment Audrey let out her sneering, cold snort, the whole vibe in the room changed. "Eliza, you're so full of yourself now, huh? You should be living the dream after I let you take everything from me, yet here you are, sulking all the time. Aren't you tired of it?" Eliza's expression froze for a second, but then she went back to her usual look of hurt. She choked out, "Audrey, I think you've got it all wrong. I never meant for it to happen!"

She put on a heartbroken act, wiping away fake tears as she continued, "It's all because I had such a rough childhood, and that's made me so weak. I just end up being a burden. I'm so sorry! I'll just leave."

She started to head for the door, but Fiona, who had been feeling heartbroken watching this unfold, quickly stopped her. "Eliza, come back! This is your home. You don't have to go," Fiona said gently.

Although they hadn't done the paternity test yet, Fiona had already decided in her heart that Eliza was her daughter. There was no way she could let her leave. Besides, Eliza had been through so much-her whole life was a tough story.

Not wanting to leave, Eliza looked down, hiding her emotions, and begged, "Mrs. Rhodes, please, let me go. Audrey will be upset if I stay."

She struggled a bit, her tear-streaked face looking more fragile by the second. Fiona hugged her tightly, patting her back as her eyes shot daggers at Audrey.

Eliza, still nestled in Fiona's embrace, glanced at Dominic with those red, watery eyes. "Dominic, I'm really sorry for how things turned out and for causing you to fight with Audrey. You should talk to her. I know it's been tough with everything you've been through together." Seeing Eliza so sad yet still concerned about him made Dominic's heart ache even more.

He shot a disappointed look at the cold-eyed Audrey and said, "Audrey, why do you have to be so aggressive? Eliza can't control being sick."

He was even wondering how the once gentle and understanding Audrey turned into this.

Even Fiona jumped in to help, saying, "Come on, Audrey, it's already happened. Just let it go. You and Dominic's wedding doesn't have to happen today."

It felt like everyone her mother who raised her, her boyfriend of years-were both siding against her for Eliza, looking down on her and judging her harshly.

Audrey was the one whose wedding had been ruined, yet it felt like she was the one being accused of a crime. It was just so ironic.

Meanwhile, Eliza was still quietly sobbing, and neither Fiona nor Dominic seemed to catch what Audrey said.

Seeing Eliza so upset, Fiona added, "Audrey, why are you just standing there? Go comfort Eliza! Apologize to her. She's not well, and how can she handle all this crying?"

Audrey was at a loss for words. She realized she'd underestimated them once again. Just when she thought she'd seen their true colors, they surprised her with another blow.

"Not well, huh?" Audrey scoffed, stormed into the living room, pulled out a thick medical report from a drawer, and slammed it down in front of them. "Take a good look and see what exactly is wrong with her!"

Fiona froze, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden outburst, her face flushing coldly. But then she noticed Audrey's pale expression and began to sense something was off. Eventually, she picked up the medical report and started reading.

Dominic leaned in to look as well. As they flipped through the pages, the expressions on Fiona's and Dominic's faces became more and more perplexed.

The report revealed that Eliza had been completely healthy from childhood through adulthood.

Chapter

4

Eliza was clearly shameless. It was just so frustrating to see. "How on earth did I used to be best friends with someone like her? Audrey wondered.

The moment Audrey let out her sneering, cold snort, the whole vibe in the room changed. "Eliza, you're so full of yourself now, huh? You should be living the dream after I let you take everything from me, yet here you are, sulking all the time. Aren't you tired of it?" Eliza's expression froze for a second, but then she went back to her usual look of hurt. She choked out, "Audrey, I think you've got it all wrong. I never meant for it to happen!"

She put on a heartbroken act, wiping away fake tears as she continued. "It's all because I had such a rough childhood, and that's made me so weak. I just end up being a burden. I'm so sorry! I'll just leave."

She started to head for the door, but Fiona, who had been feeling heartbroken watching this unfold, quickly stopped her. "Eliza, come back! This is your home. You don't have to go, Fiona said gently.

Although they hadn't done the paternity test yet, Fiona had already decided in her heart that Eliza was her daughter. There was no way she could let her leave. Besides, Eliza had been through so much-her whole life was a tough story.

Not wanting to leave, Eliza looked down, hiding her emotions, and begged, "Mrs. Rhodes, please, let me go. Audrey will be upset if I stay."

She struggled a bit, her tear-streaked face looking more fragile by the second. Fiona hugged her tightly, patting her back as her eyes shot daggers at Audrey

Eliza, still nestled in Fiona's embrace, glanced at Dominic with those red, watery eyes. "Dominic, I'm really sorry for how things turned out and for causing you to fight with Audrey. You should talk to her. I know it's been tough with everything you've been through together." Seeing Eliza so sad yet still concerned about him made Dominic's heart ache even more.

He shot a disappointed look at the cold-eyed Audrey and said, "Audrey, why do you have to be so aggressive? Eliza can't control being sick."

He was even wondering how the once gentle and understanding Audrey turned into this.

Even Fiona jumped in to help, saying, "Come on, Audrey, it's already happened. Just let it go. You and Dominic's wedding doesn't have to happen today."

It felt like everyone-her mother who raised her, her boyfriend of years-were both siding against her for Eliza, looking down. on her and judging her harshly.

Audrey was the one whose wedding had been ruined, yet it felt like she was the one being accused of a crime. It was just so ironic

Meanwhile, Eliza was still quietly sobbing, and neither Fiona nor Dominic seemed to catch what Audrey said.

Seeing Eliza so upset, Fiona added, "Audrey, why are you just standing there? Go comfort Eliza! Apologize to her. She's not well, and how can she handle all this crying?"

Audrey was at a loss for words. She realized she'd underestimated them once again. Just when she thought she'd seen their true colors, they surprised her with another blow.

"Not well, huh?" Audrey scoffed, stormed into the living room, pulled out a thick medical report from a drawer, and slammed it down in front of them. "Take a good look and see what exactly is wrong with her!"

Fiona froze, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden outburst, her face flushing coldly. But then she noticed Audrey's pale expression and began to sense something was off. Eventually, she picked up the medical report and started reading.

Dominic leaned in to look as well. As they flipped through the pages, the expressions on Fiona's and Dominic's faces became more and more perplexed.

The report revealed that Eliza had been completely healthy from childhood through adulthood.

 

 

Chapter 5

Fiona wasn't stupid and quickly raised an eyebrow. "Eliza, are you seriously pretending to be sick? Why are you lying to us?"

They hadn't attended Audrey's wedding because of Eliza's supposed illness. If this was all just a ruse, they could never shake off the guilt.

Eliza momentarily looked taken aback. Deep down, Eliza knew she had to keep her composure in front of Fiona, or else everything she had worked for would go up in smoke.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and said with an air of innocence, "Mrs. Rhodes, I'm not faking being sick. I've had health issues since I was a kid, and I've been to countless hospitals without getting any real answers."

Her voice dropped, sounding genuinely defeated. "Who wants to be unwell? There's no gain in pretending to be sick. Honestly, Audrey, I didn't realize you were holding onto my medical reports from childhood all this time. What are you trying to achieve by digging that deep?"

As she spoke, another fit of coughing overtook her, leaving her lips pale. No one could tell she was acting.

Dominic and Fiona looked concerned. Eliza caught her breath and added, "Audrey, you set this whole thing up to make Mrs. Rhodes think I'm faking just to drive a wedge between us? Are you scared I'll take her away? Because I'd never dream of stealing anything from you."

Eliza knew her knack for winning over Fiona and Dominic went beyond just being soft-spoken. In just a few sentences, she turned the focus right back to Audrey.

Fiona, still feeling a bit guilty, gave Audrey a skeptical look when she heard that. She frowned and asked, "Seriously, Audrey, why did you dig up Eliza's medical report? You two used to be close, and you said you were fine with her being here. What's up with that?" 'Was it all just an act? Did she really not want Eliza around in our family, maybe even trying to undermine her?' Fiona thought. She couldn't believe Audrey had turned out this way and felt a wave of disappointment.

Meeting Fiona's frustrated gaze, Audrey let out a bitter laugh. She looked down and said, "Honestly, whether Eliza is in the Rhodes family or not doesn't concern me anymore. And since you both missed the wedding, there's something you probably don't know." The three of them exchanged confused glances. Audrey added, "I'm married now. I just came back to grab my things and won't be in your way anymore."

Clearly, how they chose to pamper Eliza was no longer her problem. At those words, the three people in front of them reacted in their own ways. Eliza had a spark of joy in her eyes, Fiona looked completely taken aback, and Dominic was just confused. "Who did you marry when I wasn't even around?" he asked, clearly caught off guard.

Audrey couldn't help but feel a bit ridiculous. With a casual smirk, she shot back, "The truth is, there are plenty of people in Riverdale who would marry me-not just you, Dominic."

Dominic's expression shifted as his jaw tightened. "Audrey, I know I messed up by missing the wedding, but come on, you're really trying to get under my skin with that?"

In Riverdale, everyone knew she was his. No one would dare marry her.

Not wanting to get into it, Audrey shrugged it off and pushed past them to grab her luggage in her room before leaving without looking back.

Dominic's body was tense, his hands clenched into fists, but he didn't chase after her. He thought Audrey was playing hard to get. She'd bowed to him before, and he didn't think this time would be an exception.

Dominic's phone rang out of nowhere, and in an instant, Zephyra's furious voice pierced through the line. "Dominic, get back here! Do you even see the kind of woman you've picked? She's out here marrying another man right at your wedding, totally humiliating the Hayes name!"

Dominic felt a sharp jolt in his chest. His fingers were trembling as he ground out, "Who the hell did she marry?" He couldn't believe some guy dared swoop in and take what was his.

Meanwhile, Audrey was pushing her suitcase out of the Rhodes family estate, making her way through the villa area. A couple of people turned to her, whispering to one another. "Isn't that Audrey? I heard she was ditched by Dominic Hayes son at the wedding and even switched grooms on a whim."

"What a crazy move! No surprise she was thrown out by the Rhodes family."

"I can't imagine who she ended up marrying. If he's not as good as Dominic, she's really missing out."

Their eyes sparkled with a mixture of pity and mockery, and Audrey felt the weight of their judgment. She quickened her pace, trying to ignore them.

Her mood was already in the dumps, and with her head down, she rushed out of the neighborhood, barely avoiding a collision with a utility pole.

"Careful!" A pair of hands reached out just in time, gently grabbing her arm and pulling her back. The voice sounded oddly familiar.

Audrey glanced over her shoulder, surprise flashing in her eyes. "What are you doing back?" She thought he had left to take care of something. Alistair met her gaze with a serious look, saying, "I remembered there's something more important I need to do."

Audrey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

Instead of answering right away, Alistair grabbed her bags, tossed them in the trunk with one hand, and then opened the passenger door, motioning for her to hop in. "Get in." "Where to?"

"To get our marrisge license," he replied.

Audrey's expression froze, her eyes widening. The marriage thing had only been a temporary fix. The plan was to get to know each other first and see if things clicked before making any big decisions. She didn't expect him to be in such a rush. Noticing her hesitation, Alistair added with a warm tone, "Just get in the car for now."

With the exit from the villa area crowded and everyone around, Audrey didn't want to stand there playing the fool, so she slid into the car.

As Alistair drove, he stole a glance at Audrey, who was clearly nervous in the passenger seat. "Why aren't you excited about getting registered?"

Audrey was speechless. It kind of made her the bad guy in this situation.

"Well, it's not that," she replied, sitting up straighter and clenching her hands in her lap, feeling a bit defensive. "I just didn't think it would happen this soon."

Before Alistair could respond, Audrey blurted out her confusion, "But why the rush? Do you...?" As she spoke, her beautiful eyes slowly moved to Alistair's lower half, which was wrapped up by the suit pants.

It was kind of crazy to think that someone so good-looking might have a hard time finding a girlfriend, making Audrey wonder if there was some unspeakable issue down there.

 

 

Chapter 6

Alistair's eyes widened as he locked onto her intense gaze, and he almost pressed the gas like it was the brake. The car shook unexpectedly, throwing Audrey off balance and yanking her back into her seatbelt.

Audrey took a moment to steady herself, patting her chest, and turned to glance at Alistair again. The look on his face told her everything she needed to know: something was definitely up.

With all that tension in the air, she wouldn't believe him if he said he wasn't dealing with some serious issues.

Even if he did have some problems in the bedroom, she honestly didn't care. Deep down, it made her a little bit happy. It was a relief because she didn't have to bother with the whole husband-and-wife duties. She would rather die than sleep with a stranger. Alistair could tell what was going through her mind. He lowered his gaze and said, "Go ahead and open the storage box in front of you."

Audrey wondered how their conversation had shifted so suddenly from the hidden illness to the storage box. 'Did I really manage to guess what he's being hiding?' she wondered.

Feeling a bit confused, Audrey bent down and opened the storage box anyway.

Alistair urged her, "Go on, open the file bag." Fortunately, he had just had a full body checkup after arriving in Riverdale, and the report was still in the car.

When Audrey pulled out the file, her eyes widened in surprise. It was a medical report. Every single test result was thorough and showed that he was completely healthy.

'How can there be no issues?' Audrey thought, feeling a bit lost.

Just then, the red light flickered, and Alistair glanced back at her, a smirk forming on his lips. "If you're still unsure, you could always check it yourself."

'Check it myself?' she thought, feeling her cheeks flush as some inappropriate images crossed her mind. Quickly covering her face with her hands, she pushed herself to respond calmly, "No, it's fine. I believe you."

Glancing at the Audrey's flushed ears, Alistair felt a wave of his earlier gloom wash away. He stifled a laugh and admitted, "There isn't anything wrong with me. It's mostly because my family is pushing me into it. And then there's another reason." He paused, drumming his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. "I have a son who needs some care."

'Wait, what? A son?' Audrey's mind went blank. She snapped back to reality just as the traffic light turned green and the world outside the car sped by. She was suddenly on the verge of being a mom without even realizing it.

Alistair continued, "I didn't mean to keep it from you, but if this isn't something you can handle, you can always back out."

Audrey bit her lip, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. 'Backing out? Is that still a choice now?' she wondered.

Fiona hadn't even gotten the paternity report back yet, but Eliza was already living with the Rhodes and being treated like one of their own. The Harper family seemed to have completely forgotten about Audrey, never bothering to reach out. And there was still Dominic, whom she was done with.

Audrey glanced at Alistair, taking in how handsome he was. Surely, his kid would be adorable too. She'd heard giving birth could be rough and that it might change her shape, so being a stepmom didn't sound so bad after all.

Once she got over the initial shock, it felt lighter, almost exciting. She smiled. "I'm going to do my best to be a great stepmother." That was her promise.

Alistair raised an eyebrow, clearly in a better mood now. He said with warmth, "Great! Let's grab you an outfit first, then we'll head to city hall."

Audrey was still in her wedding dress, but it had gotten torn when she hopped off the car, so it definitely wasn't ideal for getting a marriage license. With time running short, they quickly found a mall nearby.

After changing out of her wedding dress and washing off her makeup, Audrey settled on a casual look-a pair of black wide-legged pants and a simple white shirt that she tucked in the pants. The outfit framed her features nicely, especially with Alistair in his matching white shirt.

As they were leaving the mall, Audrey overheard a couple of shoppers say, "They look amazing together."

Hearing that made her feel more at ease. Getting a license with Alistair wasn't turning out to be as daunting as she'd thought.

 

 

Chapter 7

At the city hall, a sleek black Volkswagen was parked right at the entrance. As soon as a staff spotted Alistair stepping out, his face lit up with a smile as bright as a sunflower. "Mr."

Before he could finish his greeting, he noticed Alistair had given him a playful wink. Not entirely sure what it was about, the staff, an astute fellow, quickly regained his composure and exclaimed, "You're here to get married, right? Come on in, let's get this going!" His enthusiasm was so over-the-top that Audrey found herself questioning whether they had the right place.

The building was bright and tidy, with freshly polished floors, though only one window was open. After Audrey filled out the paperwork, she glanced around and said softly to Alistair, "Looks like not many folks are getting married these days, huh? I mean, we're the only couple here on a weekday."

Alistair smirked subtly and handed the director Audrey's completed form. The staff, about to take the form, nearly tripped over himself upon hearing Audrey's comment. Normally, city hall would be packed with long lines. But today, they'd cleared the whole place out just for Alistair.

Collecting himself, the staff beamed, "Everything looks good. Now, care to take a photo?" His kind eyes made it easy to feel at ease, even if the situation was a bit odd. Alistair and Audrey sat down, each at a distance. The staff eyed them, noticing the gap between them, then raised a hand. "Come on, lean in closer. Don't be shy." Audrey hesitated for a moment, but she heard the soft sound of Alistair dragging his chair nearer. Suddenly, she felt the warmth of his shoulder against hers. "Alright, look at the camera and smile," the staff said.

Audrey managed a smile while Alistair flashed a charming grin. Click. The staff admired the photo of the attractive couple, his smile wide. They looked like a perfect pair.

Yet, something felt slightly off. The staff rubbed his chin thoughtfully before proposing, "How about you two share a deep gaze?"

As soon as she heard that, Audrey instinctively turned her head, and at the same moment, Alistair did the same. The next thing they knew, their faces were just inches apart, and then, they kissed.

'Wait, did I just kiss Alistair?' Audrey thought.

The soft, chill scent of Alistair lingered in the air as it brushed against her nose. Audrey's eyelashes fluttered for a moment, caught off guard, before she quickly pulled away like she'd just been zapped. Her cheeks were already burning.

Alistair looked a bit taken aback, too, and instinctively reached up to touch his warm lips as if her sweet fragrance still stuck to him. Seeing him do that made Audrey's neck heat up even more.

The staff smiled brightly and quickly photographed the scene just now.

When they stepped out of city hall, the staff guided the others to gather on the steps for a little send-off, waving and saying, "See you next="

"Whoa!" one of the staff members quickly covered his mouth. "Dude, maybe not the best choice of words."

The staff caught on and quickly made a couple of dismissive gestures. This perfect couple was growing old together.

As Audrey stepped out of city hall, her cheeks were still flushed. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground the entire walk, practically trying to disappear into herself like an ostrich when she slid into the car.

It was so humiliating. She turned her head so quickly that it felt like her teeth clipped Alistair's lips.

She felt like she was going to lose it if she didn't stop dwelling on it. Audrey softly patted her cheeks and was about to sit up straight when she heard the driver's door swing open.

It was Alistair getting in. Caught off guard, Audrey quickly lowered her head again. That was when a couple of big hands came out and crossed right in front of her.

Audrey's eyes widened in fear, and she tensed up even more as she sensed Alistair getting closer. 'What's he planning to do?' she wondered. Alistair was so close that she could see the shadows beneath his long lashes. 'Is he really about to kiss me?' Audrey held her breath, instinctively shutting her eyes. In the next moment, she heard a smooth, magnetic chuckle paired with a deep, rich voice that sent a shiver down her spine.

"You forgot to buckle up," he explained, reaching over to help her fasten the seatbelt with a smile.

Audrey was utterly speechless.

 

 

Chapter 8

'He was just buckling my seatbelt. What was going through my mind? Why did I closed my eyes?' Audrey curled up her toes in embarrassment, gripping the marriage certificate so tightly that her knuckles turned a shade whiter. Alistair had already settled back into his seat, and when he caught sight of Audrey's flustered expression, he playfully raised a hand to mess up her soft hair, smirking as he said, "Careful there, or the marriage certificate that just arrived might need a do-over." Still lost in her mortification, Audrey sniffed and glanced down, only to realize she'd practically crumpled the marriage certificate with her grip. She quickly released it and tried to smooth it out, murmuring, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Sure, everyone else had complimented her for staying cool under pressure, but she always ended up feeling so awkward around Alistair.

Noticing the flush on Audrey's cheeks, Alistair chuckled. "No rush. Take your time I'll give you a moment to settle in."

Audrey's face blushed even more. 'Settle in? Does he mean buckling my seatbelt? Or...?' she wondered.

Audrey had definitely been in love before, but honestly, compared to the cold and arrogant Dominic, Alistair had her completely captivated. He was gentle and funny, making it hard for her to think straight.

Sure, she was still calling the shots in the wedding, but her feelings were totally taken over by Alistair. She realized she couldn't just sit back and let things happen. She needed to reclaim her power in this situation.

Just as Audrey was trying to figure out how to shake off the embarrassment, her cell phone in her bag suddenly buzzed. The ringtone sounded especially loud in the quiet car. She quickly fished it out and saw "Violet" pop up on the screen, immediately answering the call. Violet Monroe, Audrey's best friend, had been studying abroad for the past six months. She was supposed to be back today but had run late, which was why she missed the wedding.

With her vibrant personality, Violet's voice rang through the phone like a bell. "Audrey! I just got to the venue and heard the wedding got cancelled. What happened? Did that jerk Dominic screw up?"

"The wedding is cancelled?" Audrey was taken aback. She and Alistair had just tied the knot and even picked up their marriage certificate.

Violet was fuming. "Dominic said that. That jerk wouldn't even tell me where he was. Otherwise, I swear I'd hunt him down and give him a piece of my mind!

"A wedding that had been planned for ages just got scrapped like that? He better be half-dead and not able to show his face!"

Hearing this, Audrey spoke softly, "So, you called him? What did he say?"

"He claimed you two had a fight and that you were upset, so the wedding's on hold until you cool down." Violet exploded, not holding back in the slightest. "Seriously? That's bullshit, and I don't buy it for a second."

Audrey's face dragged. The blame was all falling on her, and she couldn't let anyone in on how she'd been drafted at the last second.

'Does Dominic really think I'd just be angry for a bit and then march back to him when I calm down? Who gives him that kind of confidence?' Audrey thought.

Audrey chuckled to herself and asked Violet, "Why not?"

"It's not that I don't trust him. I know you too well, and nobody understands how much you've invested in this wedding better than I do.

"The dream wedding you had been dying for was right in front of you. No way you'd just bail because of a fight at this stage. He must have done something truly heartless to hit your breaking point."

Hearing about her expectations for the wedding from someone else made Audrey feel a bit down as she reflected on how things had turned out.

Audrey let out a soft sigh, and just as she was about to speak up, the sound of screeching brakes jolted her. Her body lurched forward, and if it weren't for her seatbelt, she probably would have smacked right into the windshield.

Before she could ask what had happened, Alistair next to her said in a low voice, "Sorry, I got a little distracted." Audrey glanced over and noticed his serious expression while driving. He looked kinda tense.

A bold thought flashed in Audrey's mind. 'Is he upset?'

 

 

Chapter 9

Audrey was momentarily taken aback, but then it all clicked into place. It must be infuriating for Alistair to hear that his wife once so desperately wanted to marry a different guy. "Audrey, can you please explain what's happening?" Violet's voice cut through her thoughts.

Audrey shot another glance at Alistair, feeling a surge of impulse. She blurted out, "Violet, I'm married now."

"Huh?" Violet froze, clearly caught off guard. "I thought your wedding was called off. How did you end up tying the knot?"

Once those words slipped out, Audrey had no reason to hold back. She confessed, "Dominic bailed on me, so I found myself a new husband."

The words hung in the air of the car, and hearing them seemed to draw a subtle smile from Alistair, sitting next to her.

"Audrey!" Violet's shrill roar of anger came over the phone. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Who did you end up marrying? You didn't just marry some random guy at the wedding, did you? Even if you're trying to get back at Dominic, this isn't the way to go-marriage is a big deal!"

Honestly, even Violet, who thought she knew Audrey well, would see it as just a fit of anger. It looked like Audrey was really into Dominic in everyone's eyes.

But as Violet shouted out in frustration, Audrey felt a little warmth inside. It was clear that only those who truly cared about her would worry about her making a mistake.

She glanced down and replied calmly yet firmly, "Violet, I'm serious."

"Serious my ass!" Violet casually scolded Audrey and then switched to a serious tone. "Listen, if you really want to be mad at Dominic, I can hook you up with some super handsome guys.

"There's a whole lineup at your disposal, all way better than him, so you're guaranteed to have a blast every night. Just don't settle for some random dude and rush into marriage."

As she said, Audrey could feel the temperature drop in the car. She turned her head stiffly and locked eyes with Alistair beside her, who had a noticeably cold expression.

'It was tough to cheer him up. He's not upset again, is he?' Audrey thought.

With her cheeks flushed, Audrey hurriedly explained, "Those good-looking guys? They've got nothing to do with me. I've already got a marriage certificate I'm officially a married woman, so let's not spread any rumors."

Before Violet could react, Audrey quickly added, "And by the way, my husband is not some random dude. He's way more handsome than Dominic!"

She wasn't kidding. Alistair was definitely one of the best-looking guys in all of Riverdale. There was no way to compare Dominic to him.

Alistair was grinning, but Violet seemed skeptical. Still, since the certificate was already in hand, there wasn't much point in arguing. She sighed, resigned. "Well, since you've tied the knot, I guess you can bring him around for me to meet. I want to see who snagged such a catch."

Audrey chuckled softly, feeling a bit lighter. "Sure thing."

Just as Violet was about to end the call, her tone softened. "Hey, Audrey, I've heard some rumors about your birth."

Audrey's smile faded instantly at the mention of the topic she dreaded most. The whole "noble lady turned ordinary girl" joke had been the talk of the upper-class circles lately.

Violet's reassuring voice cut through Audrey's thoughts. "No matter what your background is, you're still my best friend! Don't forget that if things go south, you can always get a divorce. I've got your back."

Audrey felt warmth spreading inside her as she replied, "Thanks, Violet." She really appreciated Violet standing by her when everyone else had turned their backs.

"Enough of the mushy stuff. Just remember you always have a way out. I've got some things to handle, so I'll hang up now."

After ending the call, the knot of hesitation and confusion in Audrey's heart began to unravel. Sure, heading into the unknown was daunting, but suddenly, it didn't seem so scary.

Just then, Alistair beside her chimed in, "In the Hayes family, you might be widowed but never divorced."

 

 

Chapter 10

Alistair's serious tone was a bit more intense than usual.

Audrey raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wait, what happens if we don't get along?"

Alistair replied confidently, "That won't be an issue. I promise I won't hurt you like your friend is worried about. You'll have the freedom to do whatever you want in this marriage, and I'll never hold you back from chasing your dreams."

So basically, as long as the word "divorce" didn't pop up, everything was cool. Audrey paused, then slowly nodded. "Got it."

But it was clear she wasn't fully buying into what he was saying.

'Alistair might feel this way now, but that's only because he hasn't met anyone he truly likes yet. Once he does, he might start thinking of me as a potential obstacle, just like Dominic had,' she thought.

With mixed feelings, Audrey tagged along as Alistair led her to his place in Riverdale. It wasn't exactly a fancy villa, but it was a trendy new neighborhood that had popped up in the last couple of years.

This one-family home had a single staircase and measured about one hundred and fifty square meters. The minimalist finishes gave it a clean look, and there was a huge floor-to-ceiling window by the entrance. Being on the eighth floor, the view was pretty amazing. The area was beautiful, and the transportation was convenient, totally blowing away her expectations. Turns out, Alistair wasn't as broke as she had thought.

After placing the key on the shoe cabinet in the foyer, Alistair turned to a somewhat bewildered Audrey and said, "Come over and give your fingerprint."

She walked over and pressed her index finger on the smart lock. The system beeped, confirming it was recorded.

Alistair added, "The place might feel a bit small, but bear with it for now, and I'll make sure to get you a nicer one later."

"It's already great. I really like it," Audrey replied, narrowing her eyes with a cheerful smile. She wasn't just being polite-while it might not compare to the Rhodes family's two-story villa, it felt more like home to her.

'Is she really that easy to feel satisfied?' Alistair thought. He glanced at Audrey, a smirk creeping into his eyes. "It hasn't been lived in, so it might feel a bit empty. Check it out and see what you need. It's all about making it feel like yours."

Suddenly, Audrey remembered something she had overlooked and asked, "Where's your son?" He mentioned having a kid at home who needed to be looked after. She also wondered how old his son was and if they'd get along.

Alistair explained, "He's not in the best health and is currently living in Willowdale with some family members."

At that, Audrey felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was probably for the best that she didn't have to deal with a kid right away. She was honestly worried she wouldn't know how to win over the little one.

Alistair caught on to her thoughts, and the smile in his eyes widened. She was easier to read than he had realized. All her emotions were right there on her face.

He didn't point it out and just said, "You must be tired after a busy day. Go take a shower and get a good night's sleep."

'Take a shower and sleep? Isn't this moving a bit too fast?' Audrey pondered.

She felt her nerves kick in again as she awkwardly made her way to the sofa, stumbling a bit before plopping down, shaking a little. "I-I'm not tired yet. I'll just sit for a bit."

"That's cool. You can chill on the sofa, and I..." Alistair replied, his lips curling into a smirk. He paused for a moment, letting the tension hang as Audrey nervously looked at him. "I'm heading out to take care of some things, and I probably won't be back tonight." 'Staying out on our wedding night? Isn't it just-perfect?' Audrey cheered inwardly.

Once Alistair left, Audrey finally relaxed, slumping back on the couch for a bit before deciding to unpack her bags.

But as she stood in front of her room with her suitcase, she hesitated. 'Where am I supposed to sleep? I can't exactly share a room with Alistair, can I?' she mused.