Chapter 3: Tony Scott's Proposal!

He looked up, glanced at the three people in the house, then lowered his head and muttered, his tone cold and distant, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked into the room.

Scarlett called after him sharply, "Make sure you wake up early tomorrow and head to city hall. You’re getting that divorce done, no excuses!"

Kayden didn’t react. He didn’t even glance back as he disappeared into the room, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

Georgia stood there, stunned. It wasn’t like Kayden to let something like that slide. Normally, if no one intervened, he’d stay up all night watching cartoons or playing with his old action figures.

"Georgia," Harvey said, breaking the silence. "What’s going on with Kayden? He’s acting weird."

Scarlett scoffed, arms crossed. "Who cares? The only thing that matters now is getting him and Georgia divorced."

Georgia glanced at Scarlett but said nothing. It wasn’t worth arguing tonight. Instead, she quietly slipped into the room where Kayden had gone.

By the time she entered, Kayden was already asleep—or at least, that’s how it seemed. He lay on the floor mat near the window, his breathing slow and steady. Georgia tiptoed to her side of the room and climbed into bed without disturbing him.

Their arrangement had always been like this: they shared the room but not the bed. Kayden slept on the floor, separated from Georgia by a curtain strung between the mat and the bedframe. It gave them privacy, though the odd setup only reinforced the mockery they faced from others.

The room was quiet until a voice broke the silence.

"Thank you."

Georgia froze. She turned toward the curtain, her heart skipping a beat. "Kayden? Did you just say something?"

There was no reply.

She frowned, brushing the moment off. "Must’ve been dreaming," she muttered to herself.

But behind the curtain, Kayden’s eyes were open, staring up at the ceiling.

In this house, where everyone treated him like a burden—a fool, even—Georgia was the only one who ever showed him kindness. She could be impatient at times, sure, but she never looked down on him. She treated him like a person, even sharing a room with him when others wouldn’t.

Outside, people mocked Georgia for marrying him. They called her foolish, pitied her, ridiculed her. But from tonight onward, Kayden vowed that things would be different.

He would make sure no one laughed at her again.

The next morning.

A knock at the door interrupted breakfast. Scarlett opened it to find a handsome, sharply dressed man standing outside. His tailored suit, polished shoes, and confident smirk made an immediate impression.

"Mrs. Adams," the man greeted smoothly, "good morning."

Scarlett blinked, momentarily stunned. "Tony Scott?"

It was Georgia’s old high school classmate. Tony had been a soldier down south after graduation, and now, word had it, he was a deputy captain in his district. Not only that, but his family owned a massive distillery business worth billions.

Scarlett’s shock quickly turned into delight.

Tony smiled charmingly. "Is Georgia home? I wanted to check in. Did she get the gifts I sent her grandma yesterday?"

Scarlett’s jaw dropped. "Wait... those gifts were from you?"

Tony looked momentarily confused. "Uh... y-yeah. Of course!"

Scarlett grabbed his arm, beaming. "Oh, Tony! I knew it! I knew you had feelings for Georgia all along. You’ve done so well for yourself. What a relief! Those gifts yesterday—just incredible. The diamond, the vintage wine, the villa, and the cash! It was all so thoughtful. You’ve outdone yourself!"

Tony blinked, trying to keep up. He hadn’t sent anything like that. What he had sent was a modest package worth a few thousand dollars, nothing more. But seeing the admiration in Scarlett’s eyes—and the opportunity it presented—he decided to play along.

"Of course," he said smoothly. "Anything for Georgia."

Scarlett practically squealed. "I knew it! You’re perfect for her. This is fate. Come in, come in!"

Georgia emerged from her room, her expression wary. "Tony? What are you doing here?"

Tony’s face lit up. "Georgia! I just wanted to see you. I’ve been thinking about you, and I realized... I can’t wait any longer. I want to make you happy."

Scarlett jumped in eagerly. "Georgia, you hear that? Tony’s serious about you! He’s rich, successful, and clearly head over heels for you. Why are you wasting time with that fool Kayden? Let’s get this divorce done today!"

Georgia frowned, shaking her head. "Mom, I’ve told you before. I’m not divorcing Kayden. I promised Grandpa I’d take care of him, and I’m going to keep that promise."

Scarlett threw her hands up in frustration. "Oh, for heaven’s sake, Georgia! Don’t you see what you’re giving up? Look at your sister—she’s married to a successful man, she drives a Mercedes, lives in a villa, and spends thousands on cosmetics every month. And what do you have? A useless husband who makes us the laughingstock of Hiphia!"

Tony stepped forward then, kneeling on one knee. "Georgia," he said, his voice low and earnest, "marry me. I’ll make you the happiest woman in Hiphia. I’ll give you everything you deserve."

For a moment, Georgia hesitated. She wanted that life—who wouldn’t? But then she thought of her grandfather, of the promise she’d made to him on his deathbed.

She shook her head firmly. "No. I’m not breaking my promise."

Scarlett threw up her hands in exasperation. "You’re throwing your life away for him! He’s nothing but a burden—"

"Enough."

The voice was low, cold, and commanding.

Everyone turned to see Kayden standing in the doorway, his expression calm but his eyes sharp, filled with a determination none of them had ever seen before.

"My wife," he said, his voice steady, "will not be pushed around by anyone. Not anymore."