A surge of guilt hit Ryan like a punch to the gut as he recognized his own cowardice.

Curious about Layla’s situation, he asked, “Did you get everything sorted out? Were you able to scrape the money together?”

Layla forced a smile, fighting to keep her composure. “Yeah, I managed to pull it together. I need to get back to work now.”

As she turned to walk away, a sharp, cutting voice sliced through the air.

“Ryan, what’s going on over here?” Margo Powell sauntered up, slipping her arm through Ryan’s and throwing Layla a stare full of challenge.

“Layla, you and Ryan broke up. Can’t you show a little dignity? He’s my boyfriend now.”

Layla was completely blindsided. She stared at Ryan, reeling. Just a moment ago, he’d told her they weren’t an item, and yet here he was with someone else. Making it ten times worse, that someone was her college roommate.

Margo had always flaunted her money and looked down her nose at everyone. Seeing Ryan just stand there, not denying Margo or even trying to pull his arm away, made Layla’s stomach churn, like she’d swallowed something rotten.

It hit her—Ryan must have been cheating on her while they were supposedly still together. Tears welled up in Layla’s eyes. She spun to leave, only to walk straight into a cluster of sharply dressed men coming down the hallway. And there, right in the middle, was her husband, Sebastian.

In that instant, Layla felt like she was floating outside her own body, unable to wrap her head around why everything was crashing down on her all at once—on this day, of all days. She watched Sebastian, flanked by the hospital director and other staff, and quickly pressed herself against the wall to let them pass without a word.

Ryan, seeing Layla on the brink of tears, felt a twinge of pity. He hastily shook off Margo’s arm and started to follow her.

Margo shot Layla a frosty glare before plastering on a bright smile for Sebastian as he approached. “Uncle! What a surprise seeing you here!”

Sebastian’s face stayed hard, an icy aura radiating off him. As he walked by Layla, he noticed Ryan starting to move toward her and inwardly scoffed. What a faithless woman. Married, and still no self-control. If she wasn’t getting tangled up with Mathias, she was with someone else.

He didn’t spare Layla another glance. Instead, he fixed Margo with a stern look. “If you’re here to work, then focus on your job. Any trouble, and you’re out immediately.” His words were clearly meant for Layla, too, even though she refused to meet his eyes as he strode down the corridor with the board members for their inspection.

Margo was truly cowed by her uncle. She quickly promised, “I will, Uncle. I’ll do my best.”

Once her uncle had disappeared with the hospital board, Margo turned back, pulling Ryan closer. With a smug look at Layla, she taunted, “See that? My uncle is the majority shareholder in this hospital. I’d watch my step if I were you.”

Layla stood there in a daze, still trying to process the shock. So Ryan’s betrayal was because of Margo’s family connections? She’d never imagined her own husband was Margo’s uncle. The thought of having to work alongside Margo every day filled her with a heavy dread.

She couldn’t stand to breathe the same air as them for one more second. Head down, she walked away.

Unwilling to let it slide, Margo yelled after her, “Layla, know your place! If you try to get close to Ryan again, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this hospital.”

Ryan watched Layla’s retreating figure, a hollow sense of loss settling over him, but he didn’t stop her. After all, aligning himself with Margo meant he’d locked in an internship at Sebastian’s company—his future was looking bright.

What good would staying with Layla do? Her family, drowning in debt, would drain anyone dry. Marrying her would be nothing but a never-ending nightmare of obligations.

Back at the nurse’s station, Layla tried to focus on prepping medication, but the gnawing ache in her chest just wouldn’t quit. She kept telling herself it was fine; things with Ryan were truly over. She was technically Margo’s aunt by marriage now, even if no one would ever know about her sham of a marriage.

As long as Layla focused on doing her best for Avianna, Sebastian would still support her and provide a decent life. Why waste a single emotion on people who didn’t matter?

With fresh determination, she threw herself back into work, ignoring Margo, who’d changed into a white coat and joined the nurse’s station. The head nurse, fully aware of Margo’s family pull, treated her with noticeable deference.

By four o’clock, Layla clocked out, ready to pick up Avianna from preschool. Margo watched her take off her uniform, sneering, “Leaving early, Layla? Must be nice.”

Ignoring Margo completely, Layla headed out, which only made Margo’s voice rise with frustration. “Who do you think you are? This is my uncle’s hospital. I’ll have you fired, just wait!”

Layla paid no attention, stepping into the elevator as Margo seethed and turned on the head nurse. “Why does Layla get to leave early? How can you let her pull this?”

The head nurse, looking helpless, replied, “Orders came from higher-ups. There’s nothing we can do.”

Margo couldn’t believe it. With her uncle as the hospital’s biggest shareholder, which higher-up had Layla sweet-talked to earn such special treatment? Next time she saw her uncle, she swore to expose Layla and wreck her career.

When Layla picked up Avianna from preschool, she was quiet and distant the whole ride home. Avianna, noticing her mom’s red-rimmed eyes, asked with soft concern, “Mommy, why do you look so sad?”

Layla forced a smile. “I’m fine, sweetie. Just seeing you makes everything better.”

Avianna hugged her, snuggling closer. “Mommy, you can tell me if something’s wrong. My teacher says talking about it helps.”

Layla wrapped her arms around Avianna, not even knowing where to start. She wasn’t really sad—she’d finally found closure for that five-year relationship, put a period at the end of it. She owed Ryan nothing now. If they crossed paths again, they’d be nothing but strangers.

Just as they neared their little house in the countryside, Layla’s phone rang. It was her younger sister, Olivia Davis.

“Olivia, what’s going on?” Layla asked.

On the other end, Olivia’s voice trembled, thick with sobs. “Sis, Mom and Dad are making me come home for an arranged marriage. They already took fifty-eight thousand dollars as a bride price. I don’t want to marry him. They said they’d drag me home even if it’s kicking and screaming.”

Silence fell over Layla, a searing pain wrenched at her heart. Her nose prickled, her eyes stinging like they were full of sand. She couldn’t wrap her mind around how parents could be so heartless. She’d been forced into marriage at twenty-two, but Olivia was only nineteen and had earned a scholarship to study music at university. And here was their greedy family, ready to snatch it all away.

“Olivia... Mom and Dad said you got married and they got twenty-eight thousand eight hundred as your bride price—is that true?” Olivia asked between sobs.

Layla made no secret of being married. She advised her sister, Olivia, "First, cut off all contact with them. If they actually show up at your school causing trouble, just call the cops." But she knew, knowing how shameless their parents were, the cops might not even make a difference. The only real fix was to cut all ties and vanish so they'd never find them.

Olivia nodded, her voice trembling with concern. "Sis, how's the hubby treating you now you're married? How old is he? What does he do? He's not gonna pressure you to pop out kids right away, is he?"

It caught Layla off guard for a second. But as she listened to her sister's questions, she realized she'd lucked out. Sure, her husband was older, but he was handsome—no receding hairline, no beer gut. He was loaded, and more importantly, a decent guy—didn't have any crazy expectations. Heck, they'd been married a few days and he hadn't pushed her into anything. A man like that was a rare find.

Layla put her sister's mind at ease. "He's ten years older than me, but he looks super young, and he's honestly a really good guy."

That seemed to ease Olivia's mind, though there was still a catch in her voice. "That's good, sis. Take care of yourself. If I can get out of this arranged marriage our parents are forcing on me, I'm gonna audition for a talent show. And when I get famous, you can be my manager, deal?"

It was a comfort, and Layla agreed. "Okay. Focus on school. Let me know if you need more for your living expenses."

When she hung up, the car was already pulling into Starview Manor. Layla got out with Avianna and spent some time playing with her and helping her practice reading and writing, but her mind stayed stuck on Olivia. Her sister was gorgeous, tall, with a voice like an angel. If she could keep studying at the conservatory, she'd go places. But if their parents forced her into marriage, her whole future would be toast.

Layla felt so helpless. How was she supposed to stop their parents from leeching off her and her sisters? She was still distracted through dinner.

Avianna lifted her round little face from her spiced honey cake, peering over at Sebastian. "Daddy, Mommy looks sad. You should cheer her up."

Layla jumped, quickly telling Sebastian, "Don't listen to her. I'm fine."

"Mommy, you're not fine," Avianna insisted, sounding way too mature for a five-year-old. "You were sad when we got home. If you have a problem, Daddy should help you fix it. What kind of husband is he if he doesn't?"

Layla was stunned, staring at the little girl beside her in disbelief. She couldn't wrap her head around a five-year-old saying something that insightful. Uneasy, she stole a glance at Sebastian, not knowing what to say.

Sebastian's face was usually hard to read, but right now it was clouded over, especially the way he looked at her—distant and impatient. "If you can't handle something, just spit it out. I never said I wouldn't help."

"There's nothing," Layla shook her head, denying it. How could she talk about her family situation? Her ex had dumped her because of her family. If her husband found out the kind of family she came from, he'd want nothing to do with her too. All she wanted was a place to hide from her parents and make some money in peace. No trouble for anyone, no one prying into her past.

Sebastian wasn't going to push it. He had no interest in butting into someone else's business uninvited—especially not when this woman seemed so conniving, so two-faced. She was married but still tangled up with other men. It was humiliating and a slap in the face for any husband, even one in name only.

After dinner, Sebastian stood up and made a clipped comment. "Your personal problems are none of my business. But from the second you asked me to marry you, you need to start acting like a wife—have some self-respect and do your duty."

Layla froze, not sure what he meant. She looked up at him, but he'd already turned away, his back to her, cold as ice. What was that about? Was it because of what happened at the hospital? Or had Margo fed him some lie?

She wanted to explain. But seeing him head upstairs, clearly not wanting to be anywhere near her, she swallowed the words. Some truths you just couldn't argue with, and she had no defense. Still, the way he treated her left her feeling kind of low.

The next day at the hospital, Margo Powell had muscled in on Layla's job, bringing meds to Mathias Knight's room. The second Mathias saw his cousin, he was clearly ticked off. "Who told you to come? Isn't Layla supposed to be looking after me?"

The cousins weren't tight. They barely talked except at family get-togethers. Mathias knew Margo had stolen Ryan from Layla, and he was well aware she liked to throw the family's weight around. He had zero love for her.

Margo, who never backed down, fired back, "It's not like I want to wait on you. But take my advice—don't get mixed up with someone like Layla. You'll just end up miserable."

Her words hit Layla's ears just as she was walking up with a tray of meds. She felt sick inside, but what could she do? She was a country girl who'd finally snagged a city job. One wrong move and she could lose it all.

Swallowing her pride, she stepped up and took care of Mathias's wounds.

Mathias tried to comfort her. "Don't let her get to you. She's a real piece of work, no shame."

"Cousin, what the heck?" Margo snapped, glaring at Mathias. "I'm gonna tell Aunt and Uncle you're bullying me."

Mathias didn't flinch. "Go ahead. Everybody knows what you're really like. Ryan wouldn't have chosen you unless there was something in it for him."

"You—" Margo's face went white. Unable to lash out at her cousin, she turned her venom on Layla. "You think hooking up with my cousin is gonna lift you up? My aunt and uncle will never allow it."

"Are you asking for a fight, Margo?" Mathias, scared she'd hurt Layla, threatened, "Get out. If I see you in my room again, I'll throw you out myself."

Margo shot Layla a poisonous glare and stormed out. Once she was gone, Mathias said, "Don't pay attention to her crap."

Layla shook her head, finished with Mathias's meds, and made to leave. Mathias stopped her. "Why haven't you been bringing me food? And why haven't you taken the money I sent?"

He knew how desperate she was for cash, but lately she'd been turning down his help. He'd heard her shifts at the hospital had been cut back and made super convenient—someone had to be pulling strings.

Mathias had a feeling Layla had connections he didn't know about. She explained, "I don't need the money right now, and I've got other stuff on my plate, so I can't bring you meals. You should find someone else."

Thinking back on Sebastian's words last night, Layla knew she had to carry herself with the poise of a wife and keep her dignity, even if love wasn't in the cards. The last thing she wanted was to make things awkward for anyone.

"Layla, are you avoiding me because of Margo Powell?" Mathias's voice was laced with disappointment as he watched her slim figure retreat.

He couldn't shake that letdown. From the second he'd laid eyes on Layla with Ryan, he'd been hooked. If not for the bro code, he would've gone after her himself. Now, it was clear Layla wasn't about to give him a shot.

Layla paused, turning to face him, fully aware of his feelings. She said, tone firm, "Thanks for the kindness, but Margo or not, I'm keeping my distance from men. I'm done falling for anyone."

"Just focus on getting better. Don't waste your sympathy on me—I'm not worth it," she added before walking away. She hoped he'd leave after he recovered, not stick around to see her struggles. But the harder she pushed him away, the more hell-bent he seemed on being there for her.

Back at the nurses' station, Layla was prepping meds for her next patient when Margo came at her with purpose. She snatched up an expensive bottle of medication from beside Layla and deliberately let it fall.

Glass shattered across the floor, medicine scattering everywhere. The head nurse rushed over at the noise.

"Oh no, Layla! How could you be so careless? That medicine costs a fortune!" Margo exclaimed, trying to pin it on Layla.

Staying cool, Layla met the head nurse's eyes. "It wasn't me. Check the security footage."

Stepping around the broken glass, she kept walking. Margo's face fell when she spotted the security camera in the med room. Under the head nurse's suspicious stare, she didn't bother denying it. "Fine, I was clumsy. It's not like I can't afford it."

The head nurse sighed. "Miss Powell, maybe you should just worry about your own work. Layla has connections. We're not sure if they're as powerful as your uncle's, but they're nothing to mess with either."

Realizing her scheme flopped, Margo brushed off the head nurse's words. She kept gunning for Layla, attitude arrogant and cocky.

"By tomorrow, you'll be out of this hospital. Just wait," Margo threatened.

Layla, totally unfazed, almost smiled at Margo's arrogance. If this was the crap Ryan would have to put up with later, she wasn't jealous.

"You run your mouth like you're all that, but you're just a nurse, same as me. If you had real power, wouldn't you be running this hospital by now?" Layla shot back, still cool.

Margo's face twisted with rage. "Just you wait. Tomorrow, you'll see!"

"I'll be waiting. If I'm not fired by tomorrow, keep your distance from me. Even a cornered animal will fight back," Layla replied, holding her head high as she walked off, refusing to be cowed by Margo's family connections.

Layla knew Margo could easily get her canned using her family's pull. If it came to that, she'd have to suck it up and ask her distant husband for help.

Later that afternoon, after picking up Avianna from school, Layla hoped Sebastian would be home soon so they could talk about the hospital mess. She couldn't let Margo win.

After waiting with no sign of him, she decided to shoot him a message. Knowing she needed his help, she added a sweet touch:

"Honey, Monica has dinner ready. When will you be home? Avianna and I are waiting for you."

Meanwhile, Sebastian was at the family estate. Set in a stately, old-English manor, the Knight clan had gathered for their monthly reunion. Everyone who could make it was there.

Sebastian's mother presided at the head of the table, her grown kids and their spouses around her, grandchildren at another table. Widowed for years, she had three sons and two daughters. Sebastian, the youngest and most successful, was the sole unmarried one.

Every get-together, his mother would bring up his bachelorhood, pleading, "Sebastian, you're in your thirties. Can't you think about settling down? If you're too busy to find someone, I can help."

Sebastian's phone screen lit up with Layla's message, pulling his focus. Oddly, he didn't mind the way she called him 'honey.' A soft warmth spread through his chest.

His brother elbowed him, dragging him back to reality. "Sebastian, Mom's talking to you."

He looked at his mother. "Avianna is more than enough for me. I don't see the point in getting married."

She sighed, still not satisfied. "But she isn't actually—"

"Mom," Sebastian cut in, voice firm. "Avianna is my daughter, and I'll only ever have her. Can we please bury the marriage talk? I have zero plans for a wedding."

His mother shook her head, exasperated. She wished he'd change his mind, but she respected it—especially since he'd grown the family business so much, multiplying its value.

After dinner, the family moved to the lounge, and Sebastian caught Margo talking to his brother and sister-in-law. "Auntie, Uncle, there's this girl, Layla Jensen. She's a real piece of work, always trying to cozy up to Mathias so she can weasel her way into the Knight family. You need to put a stop to it."

Sebastian halted, his eyes going cold. "Margo, if your legal knowledge is lacking, I'm happy to pay for some extra schooling. Spreading false information is a crime."

Margo startled, quickly stepping back, cowed by Sebastian's natural authority. Still, she pushed on. "It's true! Layla was my classmate, from a poor family. She was always stealing stuff."

"She knows Mathias is my cousin and tried getting close to him for his money. Look at his bank records—he's transferred a ton to her."

She faced Sebastian, pleading. "Uncle, you need to fire Layla before she pulls some stunt on Mathias."

Sebastian's face stayed unreadable as he processed this. Layla hadn't seemed like the kind of person Margo painted, but maybe he'd underestimated her. Still, he wasn't about to jump to conclusions without solid proof.