Chapter 2 Pay Me First Kaia dropped her words , spun around , and left , leaving everyone in the room sharing awkward looks . +2 Bonus Someone forced a laugh . " Heh , Kaia sure knows how to crack a joke , " " Don't be mad , Mr. Graves . Just sweet - talk her later . She'll cool off , " another chimed in . But someone else scoffed , " Sweet - talk ? Please . Don't spoil these women , Mr. Graves . They'll walk all over you . " " Shut up . " Alden snapped , his voice like ice . He was utterly annoyed by all the chatter . Luna watched him , unease crept on her . Since when has Alden started defending Kaia ? Has she stolen his heart during the years I'm away ? " Alden , if you're worried about making Kaia mad , I'll go and apologize to her , okay ? " she said softly , biting her lip . Then , she playfully poked his waist with her index finger , her voice full of charm . " Don't be angry . Look , you've scared them all , " she murmured . 1/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First B +2 Bonus She used to poke Alden's waist under the table when they were kids , and it always melted his heart . Sure enough , his icy look softened a bit . " I'm not mad , " he said gently . " Luna , I'd never get mad at you over someone else . " Luna lowered her eyes sweetly , her cheeks turning pink . " Me too , Alden . " The room burst into teasing laughter , and just like that , the tension Kaia left behind disappeared . *** Kaia headed straight for the house she once shared with Alden . This place was a wedding present from Alden's grandfather , Allen Graves . The maid , Serena Bills , blinked in surprise . " You're back , " she exclaimed . " I thought you'd be getting your marriage license today . Where's Mr. Graves ? " Kaia didn't answer . She stormed past and went straight upstairs . 2/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First One suitcase was enough - she'd never brought much here anyway . +2 Bonus As she passed by Alden's study , her eyes landed on the tablet lying on his desk . Once , when she'd wanted to watch some shows on it , he'd exploded with anger for no reason . She'd assumed he just disliked people touching his stuff . But today , she'd clearly seen Luna laughing with his phone in her hand . Curiosity getting the better of her , Kaia stepped into the study . With her slender fingers , she pressed the power button on the tablet . The screen lit up . Password required . Taking a deep breath , she decided to give it a try . The first password she entered was Alden's birthday . As expected , it was incorrect . She didn't give up . Next , she tried her own birthday . But alas , it was still wrong . 3/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First +2 Bonus One more try . Her mind scrambled for clues … until it landed on one - Luna's birthday . September 23rd . With fingers slightly shaking , she typed in " 0923 " . As she'd dreaded all along , the screen flashed - unlocked . Instantly , a bitter , acrid taste welled up in her throat . To her dismay , there were no apps on the tablet . Guided by an unsettling hunch , Kaia opened the photo album . Then , her heart stopped cold . 3,344 photos . Each single one screamed Luna and Alden's shared moments . Luna's beaming selfies . Dozens of shots with Alden - smiling , laughing , always close . And Kaia ? He'd dodge every time she raised a camera . They only had one photo . Their wedding portrait . Hanging in the bedroom like some sick joke . 4/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First She remembered his excuse- " I'm not into pictures , " he'd said . But here , in these photos , he was grinning from ear to ear , happier than Kaia'd ever seen him . +2 Bonus Kaia shut the tablet , as if erasing the painful evidence from her sight . She tiptoed out of the study , trying to act as if she'd never been there in the first place . Downstairs , Serena noticed the future mistress lugging a suitcase down the stairs . Her curiosity piqued , she couldn't help but ask , " Going on another business trip ? You just got back , though . " It made sense - Kaia was a lawyer . Workaholic . Always on a plane . Serena figured it was just more of the same . Kaia paused , just for a second . " Hm , " she murmured . Then she walked out , face blank . *** / 9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First +2 Bonus The next day , Alden finally came back to their wedding house . No text from her in 24 hours . Bold move , Kaia . Turning to Serena , he asked , " Did Kaia come back yesterday ? " Serena shook her head . " Seems like she left on a business trip , Mr. Graves . Didn't say when she'd be back . " Alden's brows pinched slightly . Business trip , really ? Or just avoiding me ? Still , he didn't dwell on it . He figured she'd come crawling back soon after throwing a little tantrum . After all , they were already engaged . The wedding photos were done . And the marriage license ? Just paperwork . As for what she'd said about not getting the license yesterday , he didn't take it seriously . How could she back out of the marriage ? 6/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First " Alright , got it , " Alden said flatly , heading upstairs . +2 Bonus The master bedroom , meant to be filled with newlywed warmth , felt cold and hollow . Since he and Kaia usually stayed in separate guest rooms , he didn't even notice the framed photo on the white wall was gone . He had just sat down when his phone rang . It was his grandfather , Allen . " Hey , Alden , " Allen's voice came through the phone , " did you and Kaia get the marriage license ? Haven't seen anything in the group chat . " Alden paused . " Something came up that day , " he said , keeping it vague . " We didn't get it done . Totally slipped my mind to tell you . We'll do it after your birthday bash . " " Make sure you do , " Allen said . " I'll sleep better once it's done . " Then , he added , " I heard Luna's back . " Alden's jaw tightened , memories flooding back . Five years ago , Luna had flown overseas after Allen tried to set 7/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First her up with someone she didn't want . She'd vanished overnight - no goodbye , no explanation . +2 Bonus He never found out exactly what went down between her and Allen . All he knew was , Allen canceled the engagement , and Luna disappeared . That year , things had been super tense between Alden and his family . It only started to get better after he got engaged to Kaia . " Yeah , " he said , trying to sound casual . " Looks like it . " Allen seemed satisfied with that . " Well , I'll have your dad call her . It's not right . She's back in town and hasn't even come home . " Then his tone sharpened . " Alden , no matter who's back , you and Kaia have to get that license ASAP . You got me ? " Alden's eyes darkened . " Sure , Grandpa . " 8/9 16:51 Chapter 2 Pay Me First After ending the call , Alden rubbed his temples , a sigh threatening to escape his lips . Tomorrow was his grandfather's birthday party . B +2 Bonus Alden stared at the dead chat with Kaia . Nothing since the day he'd stood her up . 9/9 17