The Heiress’s Instant Vengeance Marriage

He didn't hesitate. Elias simply dropped the pen, picked up his phone, and walked out of the City Clerks office, leaving me standing beside the paperwork.

He was taking her home to shelter her through the pregnancy.

The next post Wrenley uploaded was a close-up, intimate selfie of the two of them, captioned with a heart. The background was unmistakable: our master bedroom.

Moments later, a series of texts from Elias:

That night after the Gala was a total mistake, I was drunk, but Wrenley is carrying a life.

She was going to hide it, raise the child alone, but shes so young, Audrey, and destined to be a top cardiothoracic surgeon. I cant ruin her future, and I wont abandon this innocent life.

You wanted a child soon, right? Shell deliver the baby, and then Ill send her abroad for her residency. The child will be yours to raise. It will only ever know you as its mother.

When I didn't reply, he followed up with a final, crushing blow:

The license appointment? Well have to reschedule until after the baby is born.

I stared at the screen, a soundless, hysterical laugh escaping my throat. My eyes felt hot and dangerously red.

Did Dr. Elias Stonethe arrogant darling of the New England medical elitereally believe Audrey Hollis, the only heir to the Hollis Investment Dynasty, was so desperate that I needed him?

I scrolled past Eliass blocked number and dialed the one I kept in my Emergency/Max Out Credit Card folder: Rhett Maxwell.

Marriage license, I said, my voice eerily steady. Are you still up for it?

1

Rhett, still in his custom Italian suit, was spitting fire and curses as he sped toward the airport shortly after.

He had been queuing for his flight to an important business meeting in Milan, only to be yanked back by my single, non-negotiable phone call to the courthouse.

A wave of guilt hit me as I remembered the look of barely contained furymixed with absolute adorationon his face.

Audrey, I swear I owe you my firstborn or something. Eight years, Ive been asking you out, barely getting a second glance, and now you want to tie the knot on an hours notice?

I glanced at my watch, savoring the panic in his eyes.

Its almost closing time, Rhett. Are you signing, or not?

His fury deflated instantly.

Signing! The papers are here, the flight is rebooked, and my parents already know. Id be an idiot not to.

Since I hadn't replied to his condescending texts, Elias finally called.

His voice was laced with urgency, the kind that always sounded more like frustration than concern. Audrey, you are overreacting. I only have eyes for you. My regard for Wrenley is purely professional, and that night was a genuine accident.

I get it, Elias, I said, my voice flat, empty of any emotion. Men.

The silence on the line stretched for several seconds. I heard him take a deep, labored breath.

Where are you right now? Ill have my driver pick you up. Wrenley is experiencing some terrible morning sickness, and I really cant step away from her side

I cut him off. Dont bother.

His tone immediately cooled, switching to that familiar, lecturing arrogance.

Audrey, are you throwing a tantrum? Ive given you the full explanation. Wrenley will leave after the baby is born. What more do you want from me?

My chest felt hollow and tight. Unconsciously, I clenched the marriage certificate in my hand, focusing on keeping my voice even.

Elias, were done.

He paused, then let out a sharp, self-mocking laugh.

After all these years? All Ive done for you? I made one mistake, Audrey. Which man hasn't? Im offering a solution, and youre going to be this aggressively demanding?

I pressed my lips together, offering no response.

My silence finally exhausted his meager patience. Fine! Have it your way! Break up! Youll be calling me, crying and begging to come back, in less than thirty minutes.

The line went dead, leaving only the sharp, empty dial tone.

I hailed a cab back to the house that, until moments ago, had been ours. I wasn't going back for him; I just needed to pack my life into boxes and leave.

When I pushed open the front door, Elias was wearing a custom apron, and the dining table was set with a variety of carefully prepared, expensive dishes.

He and Wrenley were sitting across from each other, chatting easily over their meal.

His expression was unbearably tender as he gently picked up a fork and meticulously fed her a piece of fish. That soft lookId been na?ve enough to believe it was reserved exclusively for me.

I remembered the rare times I cooked for him. He would hug me from behind and whisper, Thank you, baby. Youre spoiling me. A warm sentiment, maybe, but in the five years we'd been together, he had never once offered to pour me a glass of water.

He was the youngest, most brilliant cardiac professor at the citys top medical school.

He always had the same reason: These hands, Audrey, are for surgery. I have to protect them at all times. Even when holding my hand, his grip was always gentle, almost tentative.

Now, he had made an exception for Wrenley. For a mere god-sister.

Elias saw me, gave a triumphant smirk that screamed, I knew you'd come crawling back, and settled back into his seat.

Wrenley offered a sickly sweet greeting. Audrey! Youre back! Would you like to join us for dinner?

I ignored her, walking straight toward the master bedroom.

Stop right there! Elias was on his feet in an instant, his face dangerously dark. Wrenley is speaking to you. You have the audacity to ignore her? Where are your basic manners?

I slowly turned around, pulling a cold smile across my face.

How did you want me to respond, Elias? Should I thank her for generously rushing to have your child so I can be a pain-free mother? Or should I scream at her, call her a cheap tramp, and demand she get out of my house?

You! Elias was momentarily speechless, his neck veins popping with indignation.

Ugh

Wrenley suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears that appeared to be on-demand.

Elias immediately rushed to her side, panic etched across his features.

Wrenley, what is it? Are you in pain?

I-Im fine, Elias

She trembled, clutching his sleeve, yet her tearful gaze was fixed squarely on me.

Audrey, I know this is all my fault, and I hate staying here in your home. I truly have nowhere else to go. I I promise Ill leave the second the baby is born. I will never bother you or Elias again.

Tears streaming, she suddenly touched her flat stomach.

Im so sorry, baby. Mommy doesnt want to abandon you, but Mommy did something wrong, and I have to accept the punishment, w-w-w Im sorry

She then collapsed into his arms, dry-heaving violently.

Eliass eyes, when they met mine, were filled with a raw, visceral disgust, as if I were the one who had committed an unforgivable sin.

Are you satisfied now, Audrey?

I let out a single, incredulous scoff and turned to walk away.

My lack of a reaction finally broke his control.

He snatched the heavy glass of water from the table and hurled it directly at me.

A sharp, blinding pain exploded at the back of my head. The sound of shattering glass followed as I tumbled backward, crashing hard against the ornate stair railing.

The acute, jagged pain stole my breath, leaving me paralyzed, unable to move. Cold sweat instantly prickled on my skin.

Stop the theatrics! Get up now! Eliass voice from behind me was rough and impatient.

Wrenley rushed over with a performance of concern.

Audrey, are you are you alright? I think the glass only grazed your shoulder

Shut up, I bit out, pushing her away. I forced myself to stand, my head swimming.

Eliass eyes narrowed into slits at my treatment of Wrenley.

Wrenleys lost her appetite. Go into the kitchen and make her that salmon chowder you make so well. The one without chives. She hates chives.

No. My refusal was immediate and firm.

That is an order! Eliass face turned terrifyingly dark. Audrey, you dont think you have a choice here, do you?

I balled my fists, meeting his icy stare.

Im not making the damn soup. What are you going to do about it?

A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. He lunged forward, roughly grabbing my arm and shoving me into the kitchen with alarming force.

Slam!

The door crashed shut.

The soup isnt made? Youre not leaving!

Elias! Youve lost your mind!

I hammered my palms against the door, screaming, Let me out! until my throat was raw. The only response was a chilling silence.

My hands were swollen, hot, and bruised. Finally, defeated, I slid down the smooth, painted wood, leaning my aching body against the cold door.

Their voices, though hushed, drifted clearly through the thin barrier.

Wrenley's soft, concerned whisper:

Elias, isn't this too cruel for Audrey? If she doesn't want to make the soup, its fine. I dont need it.

Elias sighed, heavy with self-pity.

Wrenley, she was utterly spoiled by the Hollis family. I have to break her of that attitude. If shes going to marry into the Stone familya medical dynastyshe has to learn our ways. How else will she properly raise our child?

He continued, his voice laced with contempt. The Stone name is all about compassion and virtue. Audreys temper my mother has always disliked her.

Wrenley sounded genuinely confused. Elias, then why haven't you just broken up with her?

The apartment fell into a sudden, tense quiet.

I pressed myself against the door, holding my breath, utterly still.

Yes. Why? If I was such a burden, why endure me?

The silence was unbearable, finally broken by Wrenleys tentative whisper. Elias?

His cold, clinical voice was like a scalpel slicing into my chest.

The Hollis familys financial backing in New England is second to none. Her family's influence has been extremely useful to my career over the years.

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle the strangled cry that threatened to escape. Tears, hot and blinding, finally spilled down my cheeks.

That was it.

All those years, he had been pursuing the Hollis name, the Hollis leverage, the Hollis access. Not me.

A sickening flash of memory: Grandfathers sudden heart attack. Elias, the young, brilliant doctor whose audacious surgical plan saved his life. I fell for the handsome, ambitious man instantly. I only sent a thank-you note and flowers, and he started relentlessly pursuing me.

And every career boost, every subtle promotion, every closed-door opportunityI had arranged those behind his back, terrified he would reject them.

How hysterically funny. I had protected his precious pride, and all the while, he was just using me as a valuable asset.

The kitchen door flew open. Elias looked down at me, clearly startled, before his face hardened into a scowl.

Crying over a simple chowder? Get out. Im tired of looking at you.

I fought the dizziness and stood up, stumbling toward the master bedroom.

The cold hit me the moment I opened the door.

The bed linens had been changed to the nauseating pink lace I always hated. The framed photo of me on the nightstand was gone, replaced by a professional studio shot of a strangers baby.

I flung open the custom mahogany closet. Every single item of my clothing was gone.

Eliass voice cut through the air behind me.

The guest rooms are too small. Wrenley is heavily pregnant, so she needs the space of the master. She's living here now.

Wrenley added in a small, shaky voice, Audrey, you dont mind, do you? I promise, as soon as the baby is

I dont mind, I cut her off sharply. Where are my things?

Elias refused to meet my eyes.

I had the staff move them to the utility closet. The spare bedroom closest to this one is being converted into the nursery. You can choose any of the other guest rooms.

I stood there for a long moment, then nodded stiffly. Fine.

In the utility closet, my bespoke designer dresses were tossed onto the dusty concrete floor. My fine jewelry was scattered carelessly in a corner, looking like discarded trash.

I took a deep, steadying breath, then turned to face Wrenley, who had followed me in. My gaze was pure, cold contempt.

Couldnt even wait for me to leave? Thats low, even for you.

A fleeting flash of genuine shame crossed her face, immediately replaced by the practiced innocence.

Audrey, I dont know what youre talking about! Elias asked the staff to clean out the room. I didnt touch anything.

I sneered, pointing to the heel print on a silk gown.

The housekeeper did that, too?

What if I did?

She suddenly dropped her voice to a vicious whisper, a flash of pure malice in her eyes, before quickly recoiling and feigning terror.

Audrey, please! Just leave me alone!

She let out a piercing shriek, throwing herself backward.

Elias burst through the doorway just in time to catch her.

Wrenley immediately clutched her abdomen, sobbing uncontrollably.

Elias! I didn't do anything! Why did Audrey push me? Thank God you came, or the baby

I didn't push her! My throat tightened, and I reflexively tried to explain.

Eliass eyes erupted with pure malevolence. He grabbed my throat with one hand, slamming me against the drywall.

You think I would believe that lie? That Wrenley would use her child against you? When did you become this vicious, Audrey?

His grip was incredibly strong; I was practically choking, struggling to squeeze out the words.

I didn't really

Enough! I dont want to hear your lies! He was furious, letting out a laugh that was more of a snarl. He shoved me hard onto the cold floor. Get out! Go back to the Hollis mansion and play the spoiled heiress! Dont come back until you realize what youve done wrong!

I scrambled to my feet, staring at him in disbelief.

Eleven o'clock at night. He was actually throwing me out?

I remembered a time when, if I merely went out for a late-night walk, he would insist on walking beside me.

Now, his chin was raised high, and he wouldn't spare me a single glance.

My nose started to sting. How many times had he erupted in fury at me today, all in defense of Wrenley? Everything I said, everything I did, was deemed a mistake.

And this day, this very day, should have been our wedding day.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and walked out without even taking a coat. I needed to escape this suffocating place.

I had just arrived at the Hollis family mansion when my phone buzzed.

It was a video message from Wrenley.

I knew I shouldn't, but my finger involuntarily tapped the play button.

On the screen, Elias was embracing Wrenley tenderly, his eyes closed as he softly kissed her forehead, his face radiating contentment.

His voice was thick with what sounded like genuine regret:

Wrenley, if I had met you earlier, I never would have wasted my time with Audrey. You have such pure ambition, such professional talent. And her? Shes all entitlement, using the Hollis name to get by, spending all her time on useless side projects.

The Stones are a generational medical dynasty. If I had married her, she would have ultimately ruined our reputation.

Every single word was a poison-laced needle, piercing the deepest, most vulnerable part of my heart.

Wrenley, using her familys connections in the medical world, had easily become his private student and god-sister. This was his definition of talent.

And me? I had stepped away from the family resources, starting from the ground up to eventually climb to the position of Hollis Investment Director.

In his eyes, that was nothing but useless side projects.

I was nothing to him.

He had never loved me.

I dropped the phone. The tears finally came, soaking the pristine silk pillow.

I tossed and turned all night.

As the morning light broke, Rhett Maxwells call came through.

Wife? Did you sleep well?

His voice was bubbling with barely contained, genuine delight.

I just landed in Milan. Couldnt sleep a wink on the whole eleven-hour flight. Still cant believe you actually married me.

His tone suddenly softened.

Wife, I already miss you. Do you miss me?

Wife.

The word jolted me, snapping me back to reality. I had completely forgotten that in a fit of pure, impulsive rage yesterday, I had married Rhett.

Wife? Say something. Are are you having second thoughts? His voice was edged with ten thousand volts of anxiety.

No, I replied quietly.

I had grown up alongside Rhett. Even if I wasnt sure if he loved me, I knew who he was. The Maxwell family was a perfect match for the Hollis family. He was the most suitable marriage partner.

I heard him breathe a massive sigh of relief on the other end, his usual aggressive energy returning.

Im flying back tomorrow! Were going to pick out the engagement ring and wedding bands! I know the ceremony was rushed, but the proposal, the weddingyoull get every single moment of it!

You just focus on being the most beautiful bride. Ill take care of everything else.

I couldnt help but smile slightly, agreeing to his plans.

That was Rhett. With him, everything was meticulously arranged. All I ever had to do was follow his lead.

And Elias

I only remembered his back, always rushing off to surgery or a lecture. Even the marriage license was initiated by me.

When I brought it up, he had frowned, Five years? Isnt it a little premature to talk about marriage?

The difference between being loved and simply being tolerated was starkly clear.

The entire day passed without a single word from Elias.

Instead, his mother called, her voice dripping with an air of superior judgment.

I assume youre caught up on Elias and Wrenleys situation? Shes carrying the Stone familys first grandchild, and we will not subject her to shame. Elias will marry her. Thank the heavens he didn't marry you yesterday. It was destiny!

She paused for dramatic effect. Ive always said you two were mismatched. The Hollis family is all business, the Stones are a generational medical dynasty. The cultural pedigree simply isnt the same, is it?

I let out a cool laugh.

Mrs. Stone, Elias and I are finished. Please dont contact me again unless its absolutely necessary.

She clearly hadn't expected the usually compliant Audrey to snap back. Just as she opened her mouth to argue, I ended the call.

She immediately tried to call back several times.

I blocked her number without hesitation, then went through my phone and blocked Elias on every platform. I deleted every single photo of us. Five years of what I thought was love evaporated with a few clicks.

The next day, while trying on wedding rings at a high-end jewelry boutique, I ran straight into Elias and Wrenley.

He was eagerly ordering an incredibly expensive custom jewelry set for her and a bespoke gold locket for the unborn child.

When he saw me trying on a platinum band, Eliass face instantly darkened.

Audrey! I told you to go home and reflect on your behavior, and youre here shopping for a ring? You think this attitude is going to make me marry you?

He roughly grabbed my hand, forcefully pulling the ring off my finger and tossing it to the store clerk.

We won't be buying this. Thank you.

The sharp edge of the diamond sliced into my skin, and a line of crimson immediately welled up.

The clerk rushed forward to offer a bandage, but Elias stopped her with a cold hand.

Its a minor scratch. Dont bother.

I didn't acknowledge him. Wiping the blood on my skirt, I turned back to the clerk. Please bring me the original ring I asked for.

Elias snatched my wrist again, his eyes blazing. Did I not make myself clear? You are not buying a ring today!

The surrounding customers started whispering.

That pregnant woman must be his wife, right? The mistress is so audacious, trying on rings in front of her.

Shameless. Trying to claim the title. See? The man is finally telling her off.

Seeing the attention, Wrenley interjected with feigned sympathy.

Audrey, please stop this. Youre embarrassing me, and everyone is staring. Ill even let you have the bracelet Elias just bought for me. Would you like that?

The clerk, flustered, also pleaded, Maam, maybe you should come back tomorrow? We cant run a business with this kind of commotion.

Eliass grip tightened, and I could feel him ready to physically drag me out.

I tore my arm away.

Elias, my ring shopping is absolutely none of your business. Stay out of it.

None of my business? Fine. I officially announce the end of our engagement. Youll never need a wedding ring!

He shoved me hard.

As I stumbled backward, about to fall, a steady, warm pair of hands clamped onto my waist, holding me upright.

Rhett Maxwells voice, deep and resonant, sounded in my ear.

Wife. Sorry Im late.