I was bewildered.
"You are a crazy man, Ty!" My voice rang out in pure rage.
"I didn't mean it to go this far—just something to throw the honeymoon into an abyss."
He gripped the bed frame.
"Or did you seriously think I was gonna just let your family ridicule me like that and walk away?!" His face was turning red.
"And you got married to August? That poor bastard?"
"Get out of here, Ty! I don't wanna see your face."
"Are you sure? 'Cause apparently you're here alone, while he used you to get what he wanted." He chuckled like a kid in a candy shop.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
He smiled. "You didn't know?" he said, smirking.
Son of a gun.
He leaned in, lips curling.
"I bet you didn't know Daddy got you a husband by offering his dying mother a fresh new kidney. Who could say no to that?"
My chest tightened.
Dying?
"August's mother is ill?" My head was spinning.
"Was ill—not anymore." He smiled, looking straight into my eyes.
"While you were here fighting for your life, his mother got the end of the deal. Marry my daughter, save your mother."
My nails dug into my palms under the blanket until I felt my skin break.
"You could see for yourself. The surgery was done here at your grandfather's hospital."
I knew he accepted my dad's offer with something attached to it, but I would give anything to know what transpired between him and my dad three days ago—just not with Ty breathing down my neck.
"Fuck off, Ty."
He was stunned. "You don't believe me?"
Like I would allow you to see me break.
"Leave, before I make you."
"Wow, this isn't over, Maya—it's just the beginning." He slid his shades on, smirking like a demon, and stormed out of the room.
Idiot.
The moment the door shut, I ran out of bed and called a nurse to ask where August's mother was admitted. One of the perks of being a Martins.
Immediately, I left my ward to see for myself. I know curiosity kills the cat, but right now, I need to know what transpired between my dad and August.
I entered the elevator with lots of thoughts running through my mind. I just stared blankly at nothing in particular.
He married me to save his mother?
The door opened, and I stepped into the hallway. I slowed my pace, wiping my weary hands on my clothes. I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until I caught sight of her through the glass window.
Moving closer, I peered into the dimly lit room. The soft beeping of the monitor was steady in the silence. She lay still, recovering from the supposed surgery. Her face was pale but somewhat peaceful.
Did she get the kidney illegally?
I knew my dad was capable of doing that, but August acted all mighty and holy. Without thinking much about it, I dialed my dad's number.
"Did you get August's mom a kidney illegally?" I blurted out.
There was silence from his end. The question must have thrown him off guard.
"No."
"I don't believe you."
He sighed wearily.
"His mom has been on the waiting list for years now. I didn't steal anything—I only pulled some strings to get her what she should have gotten a long time ago. She would have died if they waited any longer."
Fuck! I hung up.
I let out a shaky sigh and slumped against the wall.
It's okay, Maya.
I staggered back to my ward. I felt drained, used, and tired.
But why August of all people?
I couldn't wrap my head around why my father chose him, but right now, I need to be one step ahead. I won't let them blindside me like that ever again.
I woke up the following day feeling better.
"Good morning," Clarke said in a sing-song tone.
I chuckled. "Good morning."
"Guess who came to see you yesterday while you were sleeping?"
I let out a yawn, leaving my bed.
"Who?"
"August."
"Figures. Probably on his way to visit his precious mother."
Clarke turned around to look at me.
"Come again?"
"He married me to save his mother, Clarke. Dad helped his mom get a kidney transplant."
"Oh my." She moved close to me. "Are you okay, baby?"
"For once, I don't know. These people keep messing with me."
"That's dark—even for a strong person like you."
I'll be fine. I have to be.
"Yeah, I know," I murmured.
I went into the bathroom to freshen up.
In the afternoon, the doctors came.
"It's time to go home, Maya," the doctor said, smiling at me as I got discharged.
Home? More like my golden cage.
"Thank you."
"Are you sure you can go home alone?" my mom asked worriedly at the hospital parking lot.
"Clarke is going with me, so I'll be fine, Mom." I hugged her and entered the car.
We got to the newly built building.
"Wow!" Clarke exclaimed. "I can't believe you'll be living in the penthouse of this house. Lots of people were fighting for it."
"Well—"
I pressed the elevator button and froze when the door slid open. It was Tracy Reed.—August's ex—standing there with luggage at her feet.
"What the hell?" Clarke murmured under her breath when she saw her too.
Tracy's eyes locked on mine, cold and sharp.
"So… are you coming in or not?" she said, smirking.
"No, we are not," Clarke said sharply.
"Thought so too." She pressed the close button and smirked.
Not today, bitch.
I used my leg to stop the door from closing and stepped inside. Clarke followed and stayed quiet. She saw the bitchy look on my face and smiled—she knew the old me was coming back gradually.
I looked at her luggage.
"So… you're moving in too?" I said.
Tracy adjusted her hair. "Obviously."
Clarke pressed the button for the first floor, which led to the penthouse, and Tracy frowned.
I smiled softly.
Where else would I live?
She tapped her phone, the screen glowing with a cozy wallpaper of her and August—a memory she clearly wanted me to see. She kept tapping her phone to keep the screen on.
Bitch.
The door opened on the fourth floor.
"Oh, before leaving… congrats on the wedding. And please, do enjoy your paid marriage while it lasts."
My jaw tightened.
"Watch me enjoy it for a very long fucking time, bitch," I shot back as the doors slid shut.