Chapter 3
Megan was so anxious that she got a cold sore on her lip, spending the whole day sighing and moaning in front of me.
She sighed, "You were so close, just one step away from getting married."
She kept complaining, "Why do you have to make things so hard for yourself?
"Why is my life so miserable?
"I thought things would get easier after your Mom was gone, but who knew I'd end up stuck with a jinx like you!"
I shot her a frosty look.
She quickly leaned in closer.
She suggested, "Why don't we just apologize?
"Honestly, what man doesn't mess around a bit?
"It's not like he did anything unforgivable. Let's just turn a blind eye and let it slide.
"Wouldn't it be better if we just got on with our lives?"
I let out a bitter laugh, right as Carolina's top maid strode in.
I nodded toward her with my chin.
Megan's eyes went wide and she almost passed out.
She wailed, "That's it, we're doomed! She's definitely here to break off the engagement.
"I only just started checking out some families for you, and now it's all gone down the drain."
But when the maid walked in, she flashed me a cheerful smile and greeted me.
Then, boxes started pouring into the room one after another, like a never-ending river.
Megan kept going in and out, checking the boxes over and over.
She finally made sure that every single box was stuffed with gold, silver, treasures, and rolls of silk.
"What the heck is going on here?" Megan muttered, totally baffled.
I shot her a confused look, just as lost as she was.
The maid said, "Mrs. Armstrong sent me to thank you, Miss.
"Once you join the Armstrong family, she hopes you can give the servants some pointers.
"Do you know how to hit someone so it really hurts but without actually breaking any bones?"
I was no fighter. I was just swinging wildly, not really aiming for anything.
It was just that Kieran was quick on his feet, so the stick never landed anywhere that really mattered.
Kieran was actually pretty entertaining.
The day I married Kieran, every casino in Dawnville had odds on me.
People were betting on how long I'd survive in the Armstrong family.
Rumor had it, "She won't even last a month before she gets sent packing!"
"Just look at Kieran. He got beaten up so bad by her."
"The Duchess might be holding her tongue for now, but once she's officially part of the family and keeps this up, Carolina's gonna be heartbroken."
"No mother would let someone step all over her own son."
Someone else jumped in right away.
He said, "I'm betting she won't even last two weeks.
"From what I've heard, Kieran's such a spoiled brat because the Duchess shipped him off to his grandparents' place when he was a kid.
"He grew up hanging out with all his cousins, and the old folks just doted on him like he was the most precious thing in the world.
"I heard his grandma's coming to Dawnville in a few days. There's no way she'll let anyone mess with him."
I was kinda disappointed.
How come nobody was betting I would last a whole year?
Laurel stared at me in shock.
I pulled out some silver notes from my chest.
"Go place a bet for me, one year," I told her.
After all, Kieran and I had a one-year deal. There was no way I would lose.
Laurel left with a smile, but came back with a scowl on her face.
She grumbled, "They're unbelievable! They said me lasting a year is a total joke."
"What's the payout ratio?" I asked.
Laurel paused, then realized what I meant.
"One hundred to one," she replied.
I grinned and handed her a few more silver notes.
"Go bet on me at every casino in town," I told her.
By the time I got home, the moon was high in the sky. Kieran was sitting in the room with a face as dark as thunder.
"You didn't go to pay respect to my Mom today?" he asked.
"I did," I replied.
I took off my cloak, and the maid came over to take it from me.
"You went? All by yourself?" Kieran shot me a look.
I nodded and took a seat across from him.
"What else was I supposed to do? You didn't sleep here last night, so I figured I'd leave you be," I said.
Kieran's face grew even darker.
"You don't even care how we look as husband and wife, even on our first day together? Is this how the Hensley family raised you?" he snapped.
What a joke.
I said, "You've already had a taste of the Hensley family's ways, haven't you?
"If Carolina didn't complain, why should you?"
Kieran was left speechless, just staring at me for ages before he finally managed to say, "I'm sleeping in the study tonight."
"Laurel, pack up Kieran's bedding. He'll be sleeping in the study from now on," I ordered.
Kieran was fuming, grinding his teeth.
With just a glance from me, a couple of servants hauled in two big crates of books.
I said, "Got these for you, Kieran. Hitting the books is always a good thing.
"Don't disappoint me, okay?"
With that, I whipped out the stick I'd stashed away just for this moment.
I set it down on the table, right under Kieran's nose.
He couldn't help but twitch, clearly flashing back to the day I gave him that beating.
"You wicked woman, don't go too far!" he snapped.
I kept smiling. "You wrote eighteen poems for Arely, didn't you?
"Such talent. I'm honestly impressed.
"I don't ask for much, just hoping you can whip up eighteen policy essays for me too."
Kieran let out a loud laugh.
"No way. If you're into flirty or saucy verses, I could whip up a few for you," he grinned.