Signed, Sealed, Scandalous

Chapter 10

For three consecutive days, the three Kingsley brothers did not return home.

Yet Lily Wilson's updates never stopped.

In the photos, Ethan Kingsley gently applied medicine to her wounds, Liam Kingsley arranged a bouquet of fresh flowers in a vase, while Noah Kingsley fed her slices of fruit.

"Miss Sterling, look, I merely twisted my ankle, and yet they're so concerned, pampering me like this. I don't even know how to repay them."

Sophia Sterling barely glanced at the messages, choosing to ignore them.

She was busy sorting through every memento tied to them over the years.

The veil they had playfully draped over her head during childhood games.

The white gown, crystal heels, and diamond tiara they gifted her for her debutante ball.

Even the unopened love letter tucked away in her drawer, never given a chance to be delivered.

One by one, she tossed them all into the fire.

As the flames consumed each item, Sophia watched, feeling the weight of the past dissolve into smoke.

By the time the brothers returned, the fire had nearly burned itself out. Their hearts nearly stopped at the sight.

"Sophia, what are you doing?!" Noah shouted in panic, scrambling for water to douse the flames.

Ethan and Liam rushed to help, grabbing whatever they could to smother the fire.

But Sophia remained still, her expression detached. The fire had done its work too quickly, nothing remained but ashes and charred fragments.

Liam stared at her, disbelief etched across his face. "Sophia, why would you burn all of this?"

"I told you," she replied coolly. "I'm getting married. My husband might misunderstand if he saw these, so I disposed of them."

Her indifference unsettled them. For a fleeting moment, they wondered if she was serious, but no, surely not. She would never marry anyone else.

Ethan's gaze darkened, his brow furrowing. "Sophia, enough with this charade. Dragging it out is pointless."

She met their eyes, her voice icy. "Tomorrow at noon, Ethan Kingsley, Liam Kingsley, and Noah Kingsley are formally invited to attend the ceremony."

The next day, Sophia stood in her wedding gown, ready to leave.

Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley sat beside her, their eyes glistening. Mrs. Kingsley wiped away tears. "Sophia, if life there is unkind, remember, you always have a home here."

Sophia smiled faintly, squeezing her hand in gratitude.

Then, footsteps echoed from the staircase.

The three brothers descended, their expressions unreadable. As they moved toward the door, Mrs. Kingsley called out sharply, "Stop! Today is Sophia's wedding. Where do you think you're going?"

Ethan's gaze flickered over Sophia in her gown, stunning, though he masked his admiration with indifference. "Father, Mother, Sophia's throwing a tantrum. Must you indulge her?"

"A tantrum?" Mr. Kingsley snapped. "Open your eyes! She's getting married!"

Liam exhaled, unimpressed. "We see. Another performance to manipulate us."

Noah smirked, hands in his pockets. "Sophia, if you're so determined to play this game, fine. Let's see if your groom even shows up. Or if your 'actors' are convincing."

The clock ticked toward noon.

No one came.

Noah relaxed, his smirk widening. "You forgot to hire a groom this time?"

Liam sighed. "Enough, Sophia. Take off the dress. The act's over."

Ethan studied her, his voice low. "This is about us standing you up at the Civil Affairs Bureau, isn't it? Fine. We'll go now. Choose one of us."

Before Sophia could respond, Lily's frantic call interrupted.

"Ethan! Liam! Noah! My mother, she's been in an accident! She's all I have, if she dies, I can't go on, "

Their faces paled.

"We're coming!"

As they turned to leave, Mrs. Kingsley's voice cracked like a whip. "Stop! If you walk out on Sophia today, you'll regret it!"

They exchanged impatient glances. "Sophia belongs to us. No one else can have her. Once we handle Lily's crisis, we'll marry her ourselves."

Without another word, they strode out.

The moment their cars vanished, a fleet of luxury vehicles pulled up outside.

Bodyguards stepped out, showering the air with petals as confetti cannons burst.

Mr. Pierce's assistant bowed, opening the car door.

"Apologies for the delay, madam. Traffic was unavoidable."

"It's fine."

Sophia turned back, her eyes glistening. "Uncle, Auntie… I'm leaving now."

The Kingsleys clasped her hands, their own eyes wet. "Be happy, child."

"I will."

After one final embrace, Sophia lifted the layers of her gown and stepped into the car, never looking back as she embraced her new life.