Chapter 2 THE MOST UNEXPECTED WEDDING

LAYLA'S POV

"Marcus, you scumbag! You ugly-dicked son of a bitch!"

I grabbed the nearest vase, raising it above my head as I prepared to smash it against his stupid face.

"Layla, please, calm down!"

Meredith's voice stopped me.

I slowly turned towards her, my fingers tightening around the vase.

"You…" I pointed at her, my mouth falling open. "You, Meredith? How long has this been going on?"

"Can we talk, please? Layla, let's talk inside."

Her pleading eyes were enough to make me lower the vase, but certainly not enough to make me trust her again.

I brought the vase down against the marble floor.

CRASH!

It shattered into several pieces, sending fragments scattering across the room.

Marcus flinched… as he should, fool.

I shot him one last bloodshot glare before turning around and heading outside.

"Layla, please! It's not what you think!" Meredith called after me.

"Oh, really?" I spun around. "Then, by all means, explain why my ex-husband is standing in your living room with his trousers down and his dick up high.!"

"Please, just give me a chance to explain."

I let out a humourless laugh and folded my arms.

"Talk. I'm listening."

Meredith glanced towards the house before following me further into the backyard. She kept rubbing her palms against her dress, looking as though she couldn't decide where to begin.

"I'm pregnant, Layla."

I couldn't help but chuckle, blinking..

"Congratulations?"

"Layla!"

"What? You want me to throw you a baby shower too?"

She sighed, pressing her fingers against her forehead.

"I know you're upset, but please, hear me out. You remember my skincare distribution company, right? The one I've been building for the past three years?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"One of the major investors recently introduced a clause into the agreement. It's called the core family values clause. Apparently, the primary shareholder needs to have a legally registered spouse to retain her voting rights within the company."

Interesting, starting to make sense…

"Okay…"

"And I'm pregnant. The investors are conducting an emergency audit next week. If I don't have a legally registered spouse before Monday, they can initiate a buyout and take control of the business."

I slowly tilted my head.

"So you decided to get married."

She nodded.

"To Marcus….”

Another nod.

“My supposed husband who just became my ex husband a few minutes ago?"

“He had signed the divorce papers already about two months ago."

“Ohh…really?”.

“Layla…”

I stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a dry laugh.

"Of all the men walking around this fucking world, Meredith, you chose Marcus?"

"I know how it looks!"

"No, please, enlighten me. I'm dying to understand how my ex-husband ended up being your perfect marriage candidate."

"I met him at the tavern about three weeks ago. He was complaining about your marriage and how unhappy he had been. He mentioned wanting a fresh start, and I thought…"

"You thought what?"

"That he might be willing to help."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Help?"

"Yes. I offered him a monthly allowance in exchange for agreeing to a marriage contract. It's strictly a business arrangement, Layla. I don't love him, and I have no intention of building a romantic relationship with him."

I stared at her, then glanced towards the house.

"Wow. What a beautiful love story."

"Layla, please."

"An investor clause, a pregnant woman, a desperate man, and a monthly allowance. Someone should write a book about this."

Meredith covered her face.

"I knew you would react like this."

"How exactly did you expect me to react? Throw rose petals at your feet?"

"I was going to tell you."

"When? After the wedding? During your honeymoon?"

She shook her head.

"I was actually preparing to send you a message when you called. I was scared you'd be angry with me."

I scoffed.

"Well, congratulations. Your fears have officially come true."

Meredith had been part of my life for years. She was the closest thing I had to a mother, and I had trusted her with things I wouldn't tell anyone else.

Finding her half-naked with Marcus wasn't exactly something I had prepared myself for.

But then again, what was I supposed to do? Drag her by her hair and demand that she cancel her wedding?

I had already divorced the bastard. If she wanted to make him her problem, who was I to stop her?

"Fine."

Meredith lifted her head.

"Fine?"

"Yes, fine. Get married. Sign your papers. Whatever makes you happy."

Her lips parted.

"You're not angry?"

I gave her a flat look.

"Meredith, I'm furious. Don't confuse my decision not to commit murder today with forgiveness."

She let out a shaky breath.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I still have to figure out why you thought Marcus was a suitable investment."

A small, nervous laugh escaped her.

I shook my head and walked towards the garden furniture, dropping onto one of the chairs.

"So, when exactly is this wedding?"

"Later today."

I slowly turned my head.

"Today?"

She nodded.

I stared at her.

"You're getting married today, and I'm only finding out because I walked in on you two practically naked?"

"I'm sorry."

"Unbelievable."

Meredith lowered herself into the chair opposite me.

"There are only a few people invited. I didn't want anything elaborate. Just a small backyard ceremony."

I rubbed my forehead.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I help my foster mother marry my ex-husband? It's practically a family event."

"Layla…"

I waved her off.

"Go and get whatever you need. Where are the decorations?"

Her eyes widened.

"You're going to help me?"

"Don't make me change my mind."

She jumped up, rushing towards the house.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the sky.

Three years of marriage, a divorce, and now my foster mother was getting married to my ex-husband.

What a fucking day.

I was beginning to think the goddesses had developed a personal interest in making my life miserable.

★★★

By late afternoon, the backyard had begun to look like an actual wedding venue.

There were white flowers arranged around the small arch, chairs lined up neatly across the lawn, and a table covered with refreshments.

I had spent the last hour helping arrange everything while Meredith rushed around checking on the caterer and the few guests who had arrived.

Honestly, if someone had told me this morning that I would be helping prepare my ex-husband's wedding to my foster mother, I would have laughed in their face.

Yet here I was.

I adjusted one of the flower arrangements before stepping back to admire it.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I turned.

Meredith stood behind me, wearing a soft smile.

"Yes. Almost makes me want to get married again."

She laughed nervously.

"Thank you for helping me."

I shrugged.

"You're welcome. Just make sure the bastard doesn't ruin the decorations. I don't want my hard work going to waste."

Before she could respond, the sound of a car door slamming caught my attention.

I turned towards the entrance.

Marcus.

He stepped through the garden gate wearing a dark suit, his hair neatly styled and his shoes polished.

The moment his eyes landed on me, his lips curled into a smug smile.

Well, look who had arrived.

He adjusted his cufflinks and walked towards us.

"Well, well. Couldn't stay away, huh? Came to watch your best friend take what you couldn't keep?"

I slowly turned towards him.

Then I looked at his suit.

A smile crept across my face.

"Marcus, honey, you're wearing the exact same suit you wore to our wedding three years ago."

His smile faltered.

I tilted my head.

"Couldn't afford a new one?"

His jaw tigh

tened.

I picked up my glass of champagne from the nearby table and took a leisurely sip.

"Anyway, I'm glad she's taking you off my hands. Saves me the trouble of finding someone to dispose of you."

Marcus glared at me.

I smiled sweetly.

"Congratulations to you both.”