Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? +2 Bonus Kaia stood at the villa gate , refreshing her Uber app , waiting for a driver . The villa was tucked away , far from downtown . It took ten minutes before she got a ride and slipped into the backseat . Unbeknownst to her , a sleek Maybach loomed in the shadows , its owner observing her every move . Lucien checked his Rolex and muttered , " Just got home and off she goes again ? " Once Kaia reached her cozy 1076 - square - foot apartment , she sighed in relief . She checked her bank account balance - almost enough to buy the place outright . Just a few more paychecks to independence . After college , Kaia had made it a point to live on her own , renting apartments . Tobias had always footed the bill for her tuition , but ever since she turned 18 , she was eager to break free from the Domont family . 1/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? The Domonts feel like strangers to me now . And to Tobias , I'm just a bargaining chip . +2 Bonus If I want to end this engagement with Alden , I'll have to burn bridges with my dad . With those thoughts swirling , she soon drifted into a peaceful slumber . *** At 5 p.m. , Kaia walked out of the courthouse . She looked every bit the sharp lawyer in her sleek black suit . She'd just seen her client off when her phone rang . It was Tobias . " Kaia , bring Alden home for dinner tonight . Sally's gone all out and made your favorite dishes . Be back early , you hear? " Kaia ended the call with a disdainful scoff . She had zero intention of reaching out to Alden , so she decided to head home and confront the situation head - on . " Ms. Domont , you're back , " said Sue West , an elderly family servant . 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? Sue was the only one who addressed her with the full " Ms. Domont . " +2 Bonus Every time she did , Kimberly would shoot her a withering look . " Sue , I brought you some dessert . I know you're a big fan , " Kaia said , offering the box with a warm smile . " Thank you , Ms. Domont . You're always so thoughtful . If only your mother were still here , " Sue replied , her voice tinged with sadness . Kaia gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder . " Shh , don't let them hear . They'll make life difficult for you . " Kaia strode into the foyer in her sharp professional suit and immediately caught Tobias frowning . " Why haven't you changed your clothes ? " he grumbled . He never liked Kaia's career , thinking a woman arguing in court wasn't ladylike . " Didn't you tell me to come back early ? " Kaia shot back , her tone sharp . " Go wash your hands first . Alden's already here , " Tobias said , his voice brooking no argument . 3/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? Kaia frowned and spotted Alden sitting on the sofa . " What are you doing here ? " she demanded . +2 Bonus She hadn't invited him , so his presence was a complete surprise . " I called Alden and asked him to come , " Tobias said . He shot a glare at Kaia before quickly plastering on a polite smile . " Alden , don't take it to heart . She runs her mouth sometimes . " " I like her exactly that way , " Alden said , his tone soft and sincere . " Ugh ! " Kaia couldn't hold back . His words made her stomach churn . Tobias ' face clouded over . " Show some respect ! " he snapped , his voice laced with annoyance . Kaia pressed her lips together tightly . " You guys go ahead and eat . I had a big breakfast , and I'm still stuffed . Dinner's a no - go for me , " she declared , then made a beeline for her room . As soon as she pushed the door open , a stack of boxes came crashing down . Her eyes turned icy . 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? Boxes everywhere . Opened , sealed , scattered . +2 Bonus Her bedroom had been turned into a makeshift storage unit . " Ah , Kaia! No knock or anything ? This is my room , " Kimberly said . Kaia narrowed her eyes . " Your room ? Since when ? You've got five minutes . Explain why my room is filled with your junk , " Kaia demanded , her voice cold and firm . Kimberly lifted her chin defiantly . " Come on , your room is way bigger than mine . And you hardly ever stay here . What's the big deal ? It's just a few boxes . Don't be dramatic . " True , she rarely stayed . But hell if she'd let this slide . Without a second thought about getting dirty , she started grabbing the boxes off the floor and chucking them into Kimberly's room . " Kaia ! What the hell are you doing ? Are you out of your mind ? " Kimberly shrieked , her voice shrill with panic . Kaia flashed a saccharine - sweet smile . " Wasn't losing it before , 5/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? but you're pushing me right over the edge . " The ruckus upstairs finally piqued Tobias's interest . " Sally , go up and see what they're squabbling about , " he ordered , a hint of irritation in his voice . Sally rose from her seat , forcing a smile . +2 Bonus " Oh , dear . Kaia is really something . She always starts beef with Kimberly as soon as she gets home , " she tsk - tsked , acting like it was nothing new . Alden wasn't a frequent visitor here . Despite dating Kaia for five years , he'd set foot in this house fewer than five times . " Mr. Domont , maybe I should go up and have a look , " Alden offered , concern etched on his face . " No need . Just stay put . They're always at it , " Tobias replied casually , waving off Alden's suggestion . When Sally reached the upper floor , she stopped in her tracks . Kaia was standing in the hallway , fuming . She was hurling messy cardboard boxes one by one into Kimberly's room . 6/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? +2 Bonus " Kaia , what the hell are you doing ? " Sally gasped , voice sharp with shock . " Kimberly's graduating this year , right ? Not a kid anymore . Maybe it's time you taught her some basic manners . " She folded her arms , voice dripping with sarcasm . " Because out there in the real world ? People don't tolerate spoiled brats . " " How dare you ! " Kimberly snapped , her face turning red with anger . Sally forced a tight smile , trying to play peacemaker . " Alright , alright . Kimberly didn't mean anything by it . No need to go nuclear just because she used your room . Look , next year I'll talk to your dad about renovating this place , okay ? " Kaia's eyes turned as cold as ice . This villa is the only place that holds memories of my childhood when Mom was still alive . And now she wants to ruin even that for me ! Kaia sneered , her tone dripping with sarcasm , " Hey , Sally . Forget about the renovation . Why don't you ask Dad to buy a 7/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? +2 Bonus brand - new house for Kimberly as a wedding present ? Grandma probably won't even give the green light for the renovation anyway ! " Sally's face froze . She stared at Kaia intently for a long moment . " Well , we'll figure that out later . " All she can do is bring up that old woman to put me down . *** The room was thick with dust . Kaia told Sue to clean it up and decided to change the lock on her bedroom door . She'd give one key to Sue and keep the rest for herself . When Kaia made her way downstairs , Alden had just wrapped up his chat with Tobias . " Hey , it's getting late . Alden just got back from a business trip and came straight here right after landing . Kaia , go home and take good care of Alden . He needs some rest , " Tobias said . Kaia let out a scoff . " Don't worry . There are tons of people who'd be more than happy to look after him . " 8/10 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? +2 Bonus Alden wasn't fazed . " Kaia , let's head home . We're getting our marriage license tomorrow , remember ? " Kimberly , who had just come downstairs , caught wind of this . A glint of malice flashed across her eyes . Alden is seriously marrying that shrew ? Tobias burst into a boisterous laugh . " Tomorrow's the perfect day to get the marriage license . That's just splendid ! " Kaia , I need a quick word with you . Alden , why don't you wait in the car for a bit ? " Alden gave the father - daughter duo a knowing look and flashed a gentle smile . " Sure thing . I'll be in the car , " he said . As soon as Alden stepped out and Tobias shut the door , his expression turned grim . " Kaia , you'd better watch your mouth when you talk to Alden . Is that how a wife is supposed to treat her husband ? " Kaia nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders . " Not happy with my attitude ? Well , tough luck . I'm calling off this marriage , anyway . " 16:52 Chapter 6 Hard of Hearing ? +2 Bonus " What did you just say ? " Tobias's voice suddenly shot up . He pointed a finger at his daughter and barked , " Say that one more time . " Oh , for goodness ' sake . Is he hard of hearing , too , like Alden ? Kaia retorted , " I said I'm canceling this marriage ! " 3 B Write your comment ir Gifts