Chapter 4 On the day of my birthday party , Dad threw me a massive celebration . [] The entire ballroom was packed with Dad's friends , all there to celebrate with me . [ ] I scanned the crowd but didn't see Dex anywhere . [ ] He had to be here today . ] I called him , and the phone rang once before he immediately picked up . [ ] " Where are you ? " ] He let out a soft laugh . [ ] " What ? You really want me there to watch Dad announce you're marrying Kieran ? " [ ] After a pause , his voice turned slightly hoarse . [ ] " Riley , that's pretty cruel . " ] ] The emotions wrapped up in those words were too complex for me to untangle . ] ] I gripped the phone tighter , my tone leaving no room for argument : " Yes , I want you there . " [] " Are you coming or not ? " ]] The line went quiet for a moment . [] Finally , he spoke : " Fine , I'll be there . " [ ] Just then , commotion erupted at the ballroom entrance . [ ] Kieran walked in with his arm around Mara , looking completely intimate . [ ] The guests started whispering , their gazes bouncing between the three of us , full of curiosity and judgment . [ ] I could feel several pitying looks directed my way , as if I were already some pathetic woman about to be dumped . [ ] My second brother , Bryce , was the first to lose his cool , He strode over with a furrowed brow . [ ] " Kieran , what the hell are you doing ? " Bryce kept his voice low but it carried clear warning . " Today is Riley's birthday party . Dad's about to announce your engagement to Riley , and you're still hanging all over Mara ? " ] Hearing this , Kieran's lips curved into a mocking sneer . ] Instead of putting distance between himself and Mara , he pulled her even closer , as if declaring his ownership to the entire world . " Engagement ? " He scoffed , " I came here today to tell Dad that I don't love Riley Cortez at all ! " [ ] His gaze shot toward me like an arrow, filled with disgust and determination . [ ] " I will never marry her ! " ] His words caused an uproar throughout the room . [ ] The smile on Dad's face instantly froze , his eyes shooting daggers at Kieran . [ ] Kieran added another blow , his voice ringing clear : " After Dad makes his announcement , I'm cutting all ties with the Cortez family ! " Hearing this , our brothers immediately got agitated and rushed forward to talk Kieran down , telling him not to be impulsive . But he remained stone - faced : " Don't bother trying to convince me . I could never marry someone I don't love just to keep up appearances . I'd rather die ! " [ ] Mara nestled in Kieran's arms , shooting me a triumphant look . [ ] As if to say : " See ? I won . Kieran chose me in the end . " ] ] I just let out a cold laugh . ] Kieran , you really didn't " disappoint " me . [ ] For Mara , you'd really do anything . Just as the party was about to begin , Dex finally showed up fashionably late . His face showed obvious signs of drinking , but his eyes looked strangely clear . [ ] As the lights dimmed , Dad walked onto the stage and solemnly thanked the guests . " Thank you all so much for coming to my daughter's birthday party . I also have an important announcement to make today regarding my daughter's marriage . " ] " I hereby announce that after I step down , the Cortez family will be managed jointly by my tenth son , Dex North , and my daughter . He will also become my daughter Riley Cortez's husband ! " ] The entire room fell silent . [ ] No one had expected Dex to be the chosen one . [ ] After a long moment , we heard Kieran's shocked voice : " What ?! " ]