9
I Left the Hayes Estate
Lignored the shouts and curses trailing behind the car as I drove away.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the suffocating weight in my chest lifted, even just a little. It was as if I could finally breathe again.
I had planned to announce my marriage on my own terms once I returned to Sebastian’s house, maybe post something on my social media. But Sebastian, as always, was one step ahead of me.
He’d already made the announcement.
Amid the trending chaos of headlines about Cole Parker, Mia, and my father’s scandals, Sebastian Ford had effortlessly stolen the spotlight.
For a moment, I didn’t even recognize it.
The post was simple but commanding: a photo of our marriage certificate, held casually in his hand. In the background paintings, a piece I’d created as a teenager during an international art exhibition.
was one of
of my old
“Child prodigy” had been the label once attached to me, back when my life was my own. But those days were buried under years of chasing Cole and being molded into the perfect Hayes daughter. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself completely.
Sebastian tagged me in the post, his caption succinct yet personal:
“Sixteen–year–old first crush. Twenty–six–year–old dream come true.”
I stared at the words for a long time, unable to figure out if they were a calculated move or something genuine.
While I was still trying to make sense of it, the post had already gone viral. The comment section exploded, surpassing a million reactions in
no time.
This year’s biggest drama had just been given a fresh, unexpected twist: our marriage.
I hesitated for a moment, then liked the post, shared it, and added my own comment:
“This is my heart’s true desire. My one and only.”
It didn’t take long for Cole’s name to pop up on my phone.
“Lila Hayes, have you lost your mind?” he demanded the second I answered. “You actually went through with it? Don’t tell me the man I heard on the phone that day was Sebastian Ford! Have you been involved with him this whole time?”
His barrage of questions was so absurd I couldn’t help but laugh.
The audacity–as if he was the one who’d been wronged.
“What’s the matter, Cole?” I said mockingly. “Upset that I’m not sitting around waiting for you to come crawling back? You’ve already made your affair with Mia public, yet you think you have the right to question me? Don’t you think that’s a bit hypocritical?”
“You’re embarrassed, aren’t you?” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Or maybe the thought of me marrying someone else bruised your fragile ego?”
Cole’s voice rose, filled with frustration. “Lila, you have no idea what you’ve done! Do you even know what kind of man Sebastian Ford is? You think he actually cares about you? He’s just using you to get at me!”
I let out a sharp laugh, thoroughly unimpressed.
“Wow, Cole,” I said. “I didn’t realize I had so much power–enough to warrant someone using me for revenge. But you know what? I really hope
