Chapter 2

Brandon initially refused the arranged marriage, saying he'd rather die than yield. But then he saw me, fell instantly in love, and declared he'd marry no one else.

He shamelessly pursued me for over half a year. Seeing that he kept himself out of trouble and wasn't a playboy, I finally agreed.

But before long, Brandon had Willow by his side, an adopted sister he spoiled like a princess.

On our wedding day, he got a call from her.

“Brandon, remember what you promised? To take me to Africa to see the elephants.”

“I’m waiting for you at the airport. If you don’t come, I’ll jump from the top floor!”

Brandon gave me an apologetic look, then, without hesitation, he let go of my hand, abandoned the guests, and sprinted away.

I received two texts from him, then he became unreachable.

*“Willow’s dad saved my life. Willow is his only daughter, I can’t let anything happen to her!”*

*“Don't worry, I'll be back after she sees the elephants. A week at most, then I’ll be back to finish our wedding, and we can go to the Maldives for our honeymoon.”*

Grandpa Harrison was furious.

To give the Hayes family an explanation, Grandpa Harrison promised me:

“Alexis, it’s entirely the Harrison family’s fault for raising such an irresponsible son. Tell me, what compensation do you want?”

I pointed to Grandpa Harrison’s youngest son, and the current head of the Harrison empire, Devin Harrison.

“Then give him to me. This wedding still needs a groom.”

And just like that, I married Brandon Harrison’s uncle.

Thinking of this, I checked the time. Devin’s flight should be arriving soon.

I was about to text him when his message popped up:

*My love, flight delayed. Just boarded, might be super late. Don’t wait up for me, Mr. Davies can pick me up.*

*Love you.*

Followed by a huge heart emoji.

A soft smile touched my lips, and my brows smoothed out.

Even my annoying ex-fiancé didn’t seem so irritating anymore.

Brandon stood with his arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on his face as he stared at my phone.

“Oh, what’s this? Hired an actor? Saved as ‘My Love’? And ‘flight delayed’?”

“Alexis, don’t joke around like that. You know I’ll get mad.”

With that, he suddenly leaned in, reaching out to touch my hair.

I quickly stepped back, leaving his hand suspended awkwardly in mid-air.

“I told you, I’m married. If you keep harassing me, you’ll be lucky if you only end up with a broken leg when you get home tonight.”

Brandon burst out laughing, as if I’d said something hilarious. He pointed to my neck, raising an eyebrow.

“That necklace you’re wearing, Grandpa said he’d pass it down to *my* wife. And you're wearing it, yet trying to tell me you married someone else?”

The necklace was indeed a gift from Grandpa Harrison, but it wasn’t meant for his wife.

“I married…”

Before I could finish, Willow cut me off.

“Is it *that* necklace?”

She hopped off the suitcase and pushed her way between Brandon and me.

When she saw it was the necklace she’d been coveting, her eyes instantly welled up.

She clung to Brandon’s arm, her voice dropping.

“Brandon, I’ve liked this necklace for ages, and Grandpa never gave it to me. Now he just gives it to some outsider.”

“Grandpa… doesn’t he see me as family? I’m just a driver’s daughter, unlike Alexis, who was lucky enough to be born rich. Even Grandpa prefers her.”

Hearing that, Brandon’s face softened with apology again. He looked at me, a hint of awkwardness in his gaze.

“Willow is young, and she’s had a tough life, so she’s always a bit insecure. Just let her have it.”

“She likes this necklace, just give it to her. I’ll buy you a new one later, I promise it’ll be prettier and better quality than this one.”