Bound by contract: Her billionaire's heartbeat

"Exactly! I can't allow an insolent brat like you to tarnish the family's dignity. The man already paid the money, and you are to follow him obediently. Don't even try to run away," Thomas warned sternly before storming out in anger without glancing at Kiara.

To her at that moment, she wants the world to stop. If possible, go back to the previous day and change all this; the fact that her father also agreed to sell her out is quite unfortunate.

Is it a crime that she exists in this world?

"Dear Kiara, I hope you enjoy your new marriage," Mia smirked as she patted her hair slowly.

Kiara slapped her hand away and shot her a dead glare. "Don't you dare touch me with those filthy hands of yours!" She shouted.

No matter the circumstances, Kiara was still three years older than Mia and she must respect her as the eldest daughter, not the other way around.

When Mia wanted to retaliate, the door opened and Edmund walked in. At that moment, Kiara suddenly felt a surge of hope stir within her. The man of her life has come to her rescue, however, her expectations was cut short, when Vivian and Williams hugged and kissed right in front of her.

"Edmund!" Kiara shouted in bewilderment, she couldn't believe her eyes. Her breath got stucked in her throat, shock washing over her as she watched Edmund, the man she loved, the man she trusted, sharing a romantic moment with her stepsister.

Edmund broke the kiss and shot a contemptuous gaze at Kiara, his gaze stern with hatred and rejection. "I shouldn't have gone out with someone like you in the first place, you don't worth me, you cheap slut! Listen carefully, I have a good relationship with Mia, and I intended to end things with you the previous day. It was so disgusting that you eventually show your true self before I did" Edmund uttered those harsh words at her without pausing for a second.

Kiara's world crumbled again as she listened to her Edmund telling her those words without remorse. It seems that Edmund never intended to surprise her but to end things with her instead.

"What have I done to deserve this? Why does everyone hate me?" She asked in a low voice as the weight of her emotions overwhelmed her.

***. ***. ***

Sitted in a moving Rolls-Royce, Raymond suddenly asked his assistant to stop the car.

"You want me to stop here?" Kelvin asked again just to be sure he heard Raymond clearly, still not getting the reason why Raymond chose to stop here and not the location he has initially given. It was understandable when Raymond chose to wear a casual dress, out of the blue, and now he wants to stop halfway!

"Do you want to have a long rest at home, or will you follow my instructions?" Raymond asked, his voice cold, leaving no room for argument.

Kelvin fully understood what he meant, he'd rather follow his instructions than dey him and loose his job in the end. "Your wish is my command" He replied slowly.

Raymond exited the car and made his way slowly in the instructed direction. Before long, he spotted the house ahead and moved closer to it.

Back in the Smith's household, Kiara was still sitting on the floor when the doorbell made a sound. They were a bit surprised as no one had made use of the doorbell in a while; Alot of people especially friends and family prefer knocking on the household door instead. That person would surely be a guest.

"Hey, Kiara! Go open the door" Vivian ordered.

Without any objection, Kiara stood up and dragged her leg towards the door with tears on her face.

As she opened the door, she saw the greatest shock of her life.

Hell!

The man she slept with! Was this man stalking me.

Mia closed the door back immediately, trembling, she started shaking her head. "No! No!" More hot tears cascaded down the corner of her eyes.

Vivian became curious and went to the door herself.

"Leave the way," she said, pushing Kiara out of her way.

On getting there, she opened the door and recognized the man immediately. "Oh! You are welcome! Please come in," Vivian gestured with a smile.

Since this man had paid all the money she requested, it was her duty to give him special treatment at least.

Raymond's took long strides into the sitting room, his expression stoic, trying to mask his dissatisfaction with the settings. What surprised him the most was the presence of Kiara.

What was she doing there? She looked like she'd collapse any moment sooner.

His thoughts was interrupted by Vivian's voice. "This is my daughter I told you about. I'm so sorry that she might be a thorn in the flesh, but I hope you understand," Vivian muttered, sounding pitiful, like someone afraid of losing her child.

Raymond examined the environment and noticed Kiara's dress; it was the same dress she wore last night, meaning that she hadn't changed yet. Noticing her expression too, something seems fishy.

For a moment, Mia was stunned by the man's appearance; he looked like a demigod. However, he seems poor based on his casual dress.

"All right, I will take her," Raymond replied sharply.

Vivian was taken aback by the man's response. "You need to be careful with her, she can be so annoying sometimes, but she's still my daughter, regardless," Vivian shrugged, her voice dripping with mockery.

Only then did Raymond realize the gap. It seems that the woman wasn't her biological mother. No mother would treat her daughter indifferently like this.

" I'd take her with me," Raymond replied again.

"Mom, I think we should know my sister's husband's name at least," Mia chipped in; she was expecting some awkward name.

Vivian sees point in Mia's suggestions, then she turned to Raymond. "What is your name Young Man?"

Raymond didn't see the reason to lie about his name, he wasn't the type of person that is interested in hanky panky. "My name is Raymond Brown"

For a moment of silence, that name rang bell in the atmosphere. The name call familiarity, wealthy, fame, and power.

However, why would a Brown heir dress like this?

Mia was the first to burst into laughter, Vivian joined, then Edmund, they all find it funny. Kiara who was currently in a predicament stood there expressionless, it was a bit weird to claim to be the heir of a famous family.

"Young Man, you don't have to live a fake life before getting what you want. You have already make payment, the only thing I ask is your name" Vivian remarked, giving Raymond a funny look.

Raymond had no time to waste time. His schedule was more packed to be having such conversation.

"I have to take my wife with me."