Signed, Sealed, Scandalous

Chapter 15

The villa door didn't open until the next morning. Adrian Pierce stood there, draped in a loosely tied robe, the collar slightly open to reveal his toned chest and collarbone, marked with unmistakable love bites and scratches.

"What? Need something?"

He leaned lazily against the doorframe, his disheveled hair framing eyes that radiated indifference, as if the three men outside were beneath his notice. The satisfied look on his face only deepened their resentment.

Noah Kingsley clenched his jaw and swung a fist straight at Adrian's face.

But Adrian caught it effortlessly, barely exerting any force.

"Is that all you've got?"

His gaze darkened as he twisted Noah's wrist, dislocating it without a second thought, uncaring of how valuable that hand was.

Ethan Kingsley gripped Noah's shoulder, murmuring a low warning, "Don't be reckless."

Then, forcing composure, he addressed Adrian coldly, "Mr. Pierce, Sophia married you on impulse. Please return her to us."

"Someone like you could have any woman you want. But we can't live without Sophia."

Adrian scoffed, his aura oppressive. Then, in a move that stunned them all, he pressed a kiss to the ring on his finger and declared solemnly:

"Pierces marry for life. We don't stray."

"Sophia was sober when she chose me. I need her, and she needs me."

"Besides… she isn't irreplaceable to you, is she?"

His smirk sharpened as he glanced past them.

Liam Kingsley turned, only to see Lily Wilson standing there, her face deathly pale, swaying unsteadily.

"Liam, Ethan, Noah… did I interrupt?"

"I, I just saw your cars parked here and got worried. That's why I came."

"Sophia… she's really married?"

She bit back the urge to smile, but when her eyes landed on Adrian, jealousy flared.

How could Sophia Sterling, abandoned and worthless, land a man like him?

Noticing Adrian's warning glare, she quickly averted her gaze, turning tearful eyes to the Kingsley brothers.

"Lily, isn't your mother still in the hospital? Go tend to her. We'll handle this," Liam said dismissively before locking eyes with Adrian again.

"Sophia is irreplaceable. We don't love Lily, just feel gratitude and pity. We know exactly who we want to spend our lives with."

Lily's face twisted.

After all I've done, they dismiss me with "gratitude"?

She wanted far more than that.

A few favors could never compare to a lifetime of devotion.

And she refused to let any of these men slip away.

All three should be mine.

Maybe even… one more.

Her gaze flicked subtly to Adrian again.

She angled her face, the side that looked prettiest when crying, toward him, letting tears fall as she gazed sorrowfully at the brothers.

"I've always known you three don't love me. I just… couldn't help falling for one of you."

"But don't worry. I'll suppress these feelings. I won't burden you."

"After all… I know your hearts belong only to Sophia."

Her voice trembled as she lowered her head, sobbing softly, a picture of heartbreaking vulnerability.