Chapter 2 Dex let out a cold laugh . [] " So you think it's okay to completely ignore Riley ? You're way too obsessed with that woman - seems like you've forgotten why Dad adopted us in the first place ! " Kieran looked a bit guilty , clearly realizing he'd screwed up . Just then , Mara moaned in his arms . " Kieran , it hurts ! " ] Kieran snapped back to attention , lifting Mara with a grave expression . [] " Look , she's fine anyway , so what's the problem ? I need to get Mara to a doctor right now . We'll deal with everything else later ! " ] With that , Kieran carried Mara away . Dex's expression was ice - cold . When he turned to look at me , his eyes burned with frustration and anger. ] ] " This is the guy you're choosing ? He won't even protect you when it matters ! " ]] I shook my head . ]] He probably didn't know I'd already chosen him as my husband . [ ] " I didn't pick him ! " ] Dex looked completely skeptical . " Then who else would you pick ? " [] For once , he actually got mad at me . " Whatever , choose whoever you want . Just don't come crying to me when you regret it . " I watched him storm off and couldn't help but chuckle softly . [ ] I wondered what his expression would be like when he found out I'd chosen him . A few days later , Kieran suddenly showed up in my room , looking completely wrecked . [ ] Before I could say anything , he dropped to his knees . " Please , give me the life - saving pill . Mara's condition is really bad . " I was stunned , looking at him in disbelief . He clearly knew what that medicine meant to me . [ ] My mother came from a family of renowned doctors . When she was diagnosed with a terminal illness , she feared her time was running out and worried that staying with my father would put me in danger from his enemies . [ ] So she used the last of her strength , enduring excruciating pain , to make that pill for me - just to save my life someday . [ ] Kieran gritted lus teeth . " I'll marry you if you give Mara the life - saving pill ! " Chapter 2 " At the end of the day , if it wasn't for you , Mara wouldn't be suffering like this for no reason ! " || I shook my head weakly , feeling like he'd become a complete stranger . [ ] He was actually blaming everything on me . [ ] Kieran stayed on his knees . [ ] " As long as you give me the medicine , I'll follow Dad's orders and marry you . I'll send Mara somewhere safe and never see her again . " I suddenly laughed . " No need - because I didn't choose you at all . " Kieran froze , his eyes flickering . He looked up , clearly not believing me . [ ] " Riley , stop trying to weasel out of this . I've already accepted my fate - just please give Mara the medicine ! " [ ] I turned around , pulled the carefully preserved pill from my safe , and threw it at him . [ ] " Get lost . From today on , we have nothing to do with each other ! " ] Not in my past life , not in this one . ]] Kieran looked at me with surprise but didn't say anything . ] He grabbed the medicine and rushed out . [ ] I slumped against the wall , feeling completely drained and heartbroken . [ ] I felt so sorry for my past self - I'd died without ever seeing his true colors . For the next few days , Kieran stayed by Mara's side until she slowly recovered . Then one evening at dinner , Dad made an announcement : [ ] " Riley's eighteenth birthday party is coming up in a few days . That's when I'll announce who will become Riley's future husband . " When he said this , all ten of his adopted sons had different reactions . [ ] Dex kept downing glass after glass of wine . [ ] Kieran also looked miserable , glancing toward Mara's room before looking away . The other eight sons seemed pretty chill , congratulating Kieran with smiles : [ ] " Congrats , brol " ] " We're counting on you to take good care of Riley . " [ ] Dad watched their discussion with a faint smile , saying nothing . [ ] Chapter 2 But his attitude made everyone think he was giving his silent approval . [] Everyone assumed Kieran would be my future husband . [ ] ( 0 )