She Rejected The Heir. I Married Him. Chapter 03
Silver balloons floated against the Ashfords’ living room ceiling. Champagne and an enormous cake covered the table.
Sienna stood in the center of the crowd with a glass raised in one hand.
“Thank you all for coming to my freedom party,” she said, laughing brightly.
“And a special thanks to my best friend, Mira Sloan.”
“If Mira hadn’t taken that prehistoric marriage agreement off my hands, I’d probably be getting interrogated by the Voss attorneys right now.”
The room erupted in laughter.
“You’re too kind, Sienna. I can’t believe you still call her your friend.”
“She’s an orphan living on someone else’s charity. Taking care of her host family’s problems is the only thing she’s good for.”
“Exactly. A Voss-sized hellhole is perfect for someone like her.”
Adrian sat on the couch with a drink in his hand.
He didn’t stop them. He only smiled indulgently.
I stood in the foyer and watched.
This was where I’d lived for eight years.
These were the people I’d tried so carefully to please.
Without a word, I crossed the living room and headed upstairs.
The noise died instantly.
Every eye followed me.
Sienna set down her glass and came toward me in her heels.
“Mira? You’re back?” Surprise covered her face. “Did you sign the papers?”
“Yes.”
“You should’ve told us. We could all toast the newly minted Mrs. Voss.”
She held out a glass, mockery dripping from every word.
I didn’t take it.
“I’m here to pick up a few things.”
I moved around her.
“Wait.” She grabbed my arm, her eyes landing on the fine emerald bracelet around my wrist.
It was the only thing my grandmother had left me. I usually kept it locked away, but I’d put it on while packing.
“That’s pretty.” Her eyes lit up.
“Cassian will only pawn it to cover his debts. You should leave it with me for safekeeping.”
She reached for the clasp.
I jerked my arm away.
“Don’t touch me.”
She froze, then her eyes reddened with practiced hurt.
“Why are you snapping at me? I was only trying to keep Cassian from taking it.”
Adrian set down his glass and walked over.
“Mira.” His brow tightened. “Sienna only wanted to look. Why are you acting insane?”
“This belonged to my grandmother.”
“I know,” he said as if it were obvious. “But Sienna likes it.”
“You’re married now. What does one bracelet matter? Just give it to her.”
I didn’t bother hiding the contempt in my eyes.
To him, the only keepsake my grandmother had left me was Sienna’s for the taking simply because she wanted it.
“No.” One word.
“Mira Sloan.” His voice dropped. “Don’t be ungrateful.”
“The Ashfords raised you. Every meal, every dress, every roof over your head came from us.”
“Now Sienna wants one bracelet, and you give her this attitude?”
Whispers spread through the room.
“Ungrateful little parasite.”
“It’s an old bracelet. Look at her guarding it like treasure.”
I stared at Adrian’s familiar face and found it terrifyingly foreign.
“The Ashfords raised me?”
“My father died saving Mr. Ashford on that icy road.”
“Taking me in wasn’t charity. He shoved Mr. Ashford out of the path of an out-of-control truck and died in his place. Your families signed a guardianship and education trust agreement afterward.”
I didn’t raise my voice, but everyone heard me.
Adrian’s face darkened.
“Why drag up ancient history?”
“You brought it up first.”
I removed the bracelet and looked at it for two seconds.
Then I raised my hand.
Crack.
The bracelet struck the marble fireplace. Its gold clasp snapped, and emeralds scattered across the floor.
The sharp sound echoed through the room.
Everyone froze.
Sienna screamed and stumbled back.
“Mira Sloan, have you lost your mind?” Adrian stared at me in disbelief. “That was your grandmother’s.”
“I know.”
I looked at the broken emeralds and twisted gold.
“I’d rather destroy it than let her have it.”
Then I met Adrian’s eyes.
“Now we’re even. No one owes anyone anything.”
I went upstairs, stuffed the last few pieces of clothing into my bag, and came back down without a trace of reluctance.
The living room was deathly silent.
No one tried to stop me.
I walked outside with my bag. The Bentley Flying Spur waited at the curb.
The driver opened the door, and I got in.
As the car pulled away, I watched the Ashford estate shrink in the rearview mirror.
Eight years.
Over at last.
My phone vibrated with a message from Adrian.
“You disappointed me today, Mira.”
“Once you’ve suffered out there, you’ll understand how good the Ashfords were to you.”
“You’ll come back and beg me eventually.”
I blocked his number and closed my eyes.
From that day on, I was Mrs. Voss.