Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Upon waking the next day, Mia instinctively checked the headlines, anticipating news about Timothy and Maya’s engagement.
Considering Maya’s penchant for seeking attention, Mia assumed there would be discreetly shared photos of their engagement circulating.
Despite refreshing the page multiple times, Mia was puzzled to find no news regarding Timothy and Maya’s engagement.
The absence of information was perplexing. Why wasn’t there any coverage?
It seemed illogical.
Mia considered the possibility that Timothy had opted for confidentiality, similar to when she married him.
It appeared that Maya didn’t have the privilege of making their relationship public.
Setting aside her thoughts, Mia headed straight to the studio for work.
Upon reaching her desk, Felix approached her. “Mia, we’ve received the final payment for yesterday’s engagement ceremony. Let’s celebrate with a dinner gathering tonight.”
Mia’s expression tensed as she commented, “Judging by their prompt payment, it seems that the newly engaged couple truly appreciates the wedding setup I designed.”
Felix suddenly lowered his voice. “This is just between us. Keep it quiet. But the engagement from yesterday? It didn’t go through; it got called off.”
“Called off? Are you sure?” -Mia found it hard to believe that the engagement had been canceled.
“Mia, why would I make this up? After we left the venue yesterday, I stayed in touch with the hotel coordinator to plan the setup, and that person spilled the beans¨Cthe engagement was indeed canceled.”
Mia was genuinely taken aback.
No wonder she spotted Timothy at the mall yesterday.
She had initially assumed that the engagement ceremony had ended prematurely, but the revelation that it was canceled turned out to be a truly unexpected twist.
Hadn’t Maya used Laura’s surgery as leverage to coerce Timothy into the engagement?
So, why the sudden cancellation? What about Laura’s surgery?
Mia’s mind suddenly spiraled into chaos, consumed by worry about Laura’s well¨Cbeing.
“Mia, what’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing.” Mia murmured, shaking her head.
The abrupt cancellation of yesterday’s engagement had left her puzzled. She couldn’t fathom the reasons behind such a sudden turn of events.
Later in the afternoon, Tammy approached and informed, “There’s a middle¨Caged man outside looking for you. He claims to be a relative from your hometown.”
However, Mia remained skeptical, given that she had only a handful of relatives from her hometown.
With caution, she walked toward the entrance and found a disheveled middle¨Caged man.
As Fabian noticed Mia, he eagerly approached, grabbing her hand. “Honey, please come back.
home with me.”
Mia was instantly taken aback. “Let go! Who are you calling ¡®honey¡®? You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
“I haven’t made a mistake. You’re Mia, right? Your adoptive parents arranged for us to get married. and they even accepted a bribe of ten thousand dollars from me. So, as things stand, you are now my wife.”
Upon hearing Fabian’s words, Mia couldn’t help but find Bob and Mary’s actions utterly ridiculous.
In this modern era, the concept of being married off to an older man from the countryside with a bribe seemed absurd to her.
Did they truly think they could control her with such outdated methods?
Suddenly, Felix rushed out and forcefully pushed Fabian away. “What are you doing? If you cause any more trouble, I’ll call the police!”
Seated on the ground, Fabian insisted, “I offered Mia’s family a ten¨Cthousand¨Cdollar bribe, and consequently, we’re now engaged. That amount constitutes my yearly savings.
“Mia, you must come back home with me and bear me a son!”
Mia cast a cold gaze at Fabian. “Are you insane? I’ve cut all ties with my adoptive parents. Whatever they choose to do with the money has no bearing on me.”
“I don’t care. After all, Bob and Mary are still considered your family. Since they’ve accepted my bribe, you are essentially my wife now!”
Felix snorted. “What century are we in? Bribes? Mia never consented to any of this. You better leave, or we’ll involve the police.”
“Feel free to call the police. The bribe has already been paid. If I can’t reclaim my wife, then perhaps it’s better for me to end it all right here.”
Seizing a nearby broom, Mia brandished it at Fabian. “Very well, let’s face the consequences together today!” she asserted.
Frightened, Fabian scrambled away as fast as he could.
Mia finally set aside the broom she had been wielding. Beside her, Felix looked on with amazement. “Mia, you handled that quite impressively.”
“I’ve dealt with these rural folks before.” Mia replied with a stern expression. “I never expected my adoptive parents to resort to such underhanded tactics.”
“Mia, don’t worry. Reporting this to the police won’t implicate you; it’s your adoptive parents who are responsible for taking the money.”
“I understand, but it does create complications for the studio.”
Following Mia’s words, Felix, standing before her, reached out and affectionately patted her head.
“Mia, there’s no need to be so formal. After all, aren’t we friends? Shouldn’t we be here to support each other?”
Feeling a tad uneasy, Mia took a step back to avoid Felix’s touch. Clearing her throat, she stated, ” Felix, I’ll get back to work.”
“Sure, go ahead.” Observing Mia’s defiant stance, Felix sighed internally.
It seemed that winning her over was truly challenging. However, it didn’t matter; he had an abundance of patience.
Sitting at her desk, Mia couldn’t help but recall Fabian, the troublemaker from earlier.
If Bob and Mary were indeed implicated in accepting a ten¨Cthousand¨Cdollar bribe from Fabian, Mia knew he wouldn’t easily back down.
She was well aware of how persistent rural suitors could be in their pursuit of a spouse.
As Mia wrapped up her work and left the office building, Fabian hurriedly approached her, reaching out to grab her arm. “Honey, you’re done for the day. Come home with me.”
Mia, already on high alert, swiftly dodged away, casting a wary look at Fabian. “I warn you, stay away from me. I have no connection with you. Whoever took your money, go seek them out.”
“It was your adoptive parents who accepted my bribe. How can you now deny being my wife?
You’re not contemplating backing out, are you? Let me be crystal clear; it’s not happening!”
“Mia!”
Suddenly, Felix rushed over and stood by her side, offering reassurance, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Without delay, Fabian waved his hand, and several disheveled men emerged from, behind the nearby bushes. They closed in, surrounding Mia.
Observing the unfolding situation, Felix was suddenly gripped by fear. However, amidst the apprehension, he discerned an opportunity to heighten their intimidation.
He cautioned, “Stay back. This is a lawful society, monitored by surveillance cameras everywhere. Do you really think you can escape?
“People like you belong in rural areas, secluded in the mountains. Spare yourselves the shame. and never come out-“
As he concluded his statement, Felix’s head was violently struck by an assailant.
With blood streaming down his injured head, Mia, in a state of panic, exclaimed, “Felix, are you okay?”
Within a fleeting moment, Felix collapsed to the ground.
In a bid to call for help, Mia tried to retrieve her phone, but her hands and feet were bound, and she was forcibly taken away.
A shabby van was conveniently parked nearby, and Mia found herself tossed into the back seat. It dawned on her that these individuals had come prepared.
She realized she had been too careless.
As Fabian got into the car, Mia fixed her gaze on him. “Kidnapping me is illegal. My family will locate me soon.”
Fabian sneered, “Don’t worry, honey. Once you step into our town, there won’t be a chance for anyone to come to your rescue. In the past, some tried, but they all ended up helpless in the end.”
“Fabian, congratulations on marrying such a beautiful and sophisticated wife. University students. from the city are truly in a class of their own.
“When you have children, they’re bound to be both intelligent and good¨Clooking.”
With a triumphant laugh, Fabian declared, “Of course, we’ll be having several children. It just wouldn’t make sense to let my ten¨Cthousand¨Cdollar bribe go to waste.”
Listening from the back seat, Mia felt a wave of despair. She could only hope that her brothers. would discover her disappearance swiftly and come to her rescue.
She knew she had to remain composed to avoid putting herself in more danger.
After all, she was carrying a child and needed to be cautious for their sake.
The van left the city, merging onto the highway. It was evident that they intended to swiftly transport Mia to the village, ensuring they wouldn’t be apprehended.