Married To A Mystery

Chapter 1 Shattered Vows

At 10 p.m., Moira Elliott had just finished her bath and skincare routine and was ready to call it a night. As usual, she opened WhatsApp to check for any last-minute work updates.

Instead, she saw a message from Charlie Mack, one of her boyfriend Austin Santiago's roommates. [Austin's drunk. Come pick him up at Sunridge.]

Sunridge was a high-end club in Eldoria, a place Moira had visited a few times. Still, she always felt out of place, especially as the only woman among Austin's friends.

What unsettled her more was that Austin, who had just returned from a business trip, chose to spend his evening drinking there rather than coming to see her. A knot of disappointment twisted within her, but she quickly dismissed the feeling.

As his girlfriend and personal assistant, Moira felt it was her duty to care for him. Pushing away her unhappiness, she got out of bed, changed into something practical, grabbed her car keys, and headed out.

When she arrived at Sunridge, the staff recognized her immediately and ushered her toward the private rooms. With the room number Charlie had sent, she quickly found her destination on the sixth floor.

Just as she reached for the door, voices from inside froze her in place.

"Austin, are you sure you want to marry Moira?" Charlie's unmistakable voice asked.

Moira's hand lingered on the door handle. She stood motionless, her pulse quickening as she waited for Austin's reply.

"I don't know," Austin's voice answered, heavy with fatigue.

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Moira bit her lip, fighting the swell of emotions rising within her.

They had been together for five years. At her mother's urging, they had planned to register their marriage on her 25th birthday. But Austin postponed it, citing a sudden business trip. She had been understanding, telling herself they could reschedule once he returned.

Now, doubt began to creep into her thoughts, 'Did he ever intend to marry me?'

Inside, Charlie continued, undeterred. "Let's be honest. You like Kayla, and she clearly likes you. Becoming the son-in-law of Mitchell Group? That's an opportunity anyone would kill for. Why not grab it?"

Moira's chest tightened. 'Kayla Mitchell?' she thought.

Austin's voice followed, sounding conflicted. "Moira's been with me for five years. I can't just leave her."

Charlie scoffed, "Oh, come on. You already bought her a house worth seven hundred grand. Without you, she couldn't even afford a place in Eldoria. She's treating you like an ATM!"

"And don't forget," Charlie said sharply, "Mitchell Group owns 30% of our shares. Without their investment, our company wouldn't have made it this far. If the chairman finds out you slept with his daughter and refused to take responsibility, do you honestly think there won't be consequences?"

Moira's nails dug into her palms as she stared at the door in disbelief.

Her mind raced. ''What was Charlie saying? Austin and Kayla slept together? But Austin told me that Kayla was just the company's spokesperson. Their relationship was purely professional.'

A voice broke her thoughts. "Moira, why are you standing here?"

Startled, she turned to see Oliver Montgomery, another of Austin's roommates and a shareholder in their company, Sailing Tech. Unlike Charlie, Austin's other roommates generally got along well with her.

Not noticing her troubled expression, Oliver cheerfully opened the door. "Austin, Moira's here to pick you up."

The group inside turned to look at her with mixed expressions. Charlie sneered and scoffed at Moira, who remained at the door.

Moira took a deep breath and stepped inside, heels clicking against the floor. Her calm exterior betrayed none of the storm raging inside her. Stopping before Austin, she asked, "Did you sleep with Kayla?"

Panic flashed across Austin's face. He quickly set down his drink and grabbed her hand. "That's nonsense! Don't listen to the nonsense that Charlie said."

Charlie leaned back with a smirk. "Why lie? Since she's already heard everything, why not use this opportunity to come clean? She doesn't deserve you!"

"Shut up!" Austin barked.

Moira pulled her hand away, her voice steady but cold. "We're breaking up."

"Moira, wait!" Austin chased after her as she turned to leave, grabbing her arm. "Let me explain. That night, I was drunk..."

"Drunk and couldn't control yourself?" Moira interrupted, holding onto a shred of hope that he would deny it.

Austin hesitated, then sighed. "It happened once. Can't you forgive me? If you do, we can register our marriage tomorrow."

Even in his apology, his tone remained condescending, making Moira feel like a fool for the past five years. His arrogance was the final straw.

Moira swung her handbag at his face with all her strength. "Go to hell! Scumbag! We're done!"

Her voice echoed down the corridor, drawing the attention of two tall, striking men who had just exited the elevator. They paused, watching the scene unfold with interest.

Both of them were tall, with great figures and handsome faces. Combined with their natural aristocratic aura, they created a pleasant sight in the corridor.

Humiliated by the attention of other patrons in the corridor, Austin wiped the blood from his scratched forehead and growled, "Moira, stop shouting about the breakup. Every man makes mistakes! Do you really think you'll find someone better than me at 25?"

Moira let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You think your money makes you irreplaceable? Austin Santiago! I'm 25, not desperate. I'd rather stay single for the rest of my life than be with garbage like you. We're done!"

"Fine! You said it. Don't regret it!" Austin stormed back into the room, slamming the door behind him.

Tears welled up in Moira's eyes, but she wiped them away quickly. Without another glance, she entered the elevator and left, unaware that the two men were still watching her from the other side of the corridor.

Chapter 4 Torn And Shattered

"Mom, didn't you always say that even if I married Austin, I couldn't control him? That he'd cheat sooner or later? Isn't breaking up now and cutting my losses a good thing?" Moira kept her voice steady, masking the hurt beneath her words.

"But how could you lose to her daughter?" Jane's voice cracked, and she clutched her chest in despair.

For years, Jane carried the pain of her broken marriage, channeling all her hopes into Moira. She dreamed of raising a daughter so remarkable that one day, she could stand tall before the Mitchells and prove her worth.

However, she never expected Moira to lose to Darlene's daughter, just as she had lost her husband to Darlene years ago.

Hence, to Jane, Moira's breakup felt like a long-awaited chance at redemption that had cruelly slipped through her fingers.

Moira sat beside her mother, guilt weighing heavily. "Mom, I didn't lose to her," Moira said softly. "Except for Austin, I'll never lose to her in anything else."

However, Jane was inconsolable. Tears streamed down her face as she vented years of frustration and regret.

"If I hadn't taken you with me... Though less precious than Darlene's son, you'd still have been their rightful heiress if you'd stayed with the Mitchell family. If your last name were Mitchell, Austin would've never left you. This is all my fault. I was selfish. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."

Moira's throat tightened. She waited silently, letting her mother cry herself into exhaustion. Once Jane had finally fallen asleep, Moira gently tucked her in and slipped out of the room.

Moira tidied the mess in the ward to distract herself, then reached for her phone.

When she opened X, the social media app, she was immediately greeted by trending topics that made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

After Moira started college, she worried her mother might feel lonely, so she used her part-time job earnings to buy her a smartphone. It allowed Jane to chat, make video calls, and enjoy watching dramas.

Jane was adaptable, mastering the apps young people used and finding them surprisingly entertaining.

During her hospital stay, with few people to talk to, she spent her time browsing social media and chatting on WhatsApp to keep herself occupied.

It seemed that Austin had publicly announced his relationship with Kayla Mitchell right after Moira resigned and ended things with him, a move she hadn't anticipated.

Darlene, Kayla's mother and a first-generation entertainment icon, also commented, liked, and shared the post. She congratulated her daughter on the relationship and followed Austin, too.

When Darlene married into the Mitchell family, the media went wild with the story. Naturally, Kayla was now celebrated as the heiress of the Mitchell Group.

The media buzzed about the perfect match between a tech mogul and an heiress, hailing them as the couple of the year.

Moira stared at the posts, her chest tightening. She might have congratulated them if she weren't Austin's ex. But as it was, it felt like a slap in the face.

Switching to Instagram, she began deleting old photos of her and Austin. Just as she scrolled through her account, her phone buzzed. It was Zea.

"Moira! Did you see the posts in X? Austin went public with Kayla! He's your boyfriend, isn't he? What's going on?" Zea's voice crackled with anger.

Seeing Jane was fast asleep, Moira left the ward and exhaled. "I broke up with him."

"He cheated, didn't he?" Zea snapped. "That jerk! "You stuck by him when he had nothing, and now he cheats after making it big? Moira, we can't let them get away with this. Let's expose him online! I'll help you."

Moira shook her head, her voice calm but firm. "No. My mom's surgery is this weekend. I don't want to risk upsetting her."

Zea's frustration was palpable. "So, that's it? Are you just going to let this slide? Moira, it's not fair!"

Fair or not, Moira couldn't afford distractions. Right now, her mother's health was the priority, and everything else could wait.

Returning to her mother's ward after ending the call, Moira slipped her phone into her bag, but her head throbbed at the sight of the marriage license. She hadn't even figured out how to explain her sudden marriage to her mother.

Given Jane's fragile health, Moira knew her mother wouldn't accept it.

Moira took out her phone again, hesitated momentarily, but ultimately decided to call Virgil.

However, the call went unanswered, and after trying again with no luck, she texted: [Mr. Adams, can we wait to tell our parents about the marriage? My mom has surgery this weekend, so I'd prefer to bring it up after that.]

She waited, but there was no reply. Thinking Virgil might be busy, she tucked her phone into her bag.

*****

Later in the day, Moira went to the supermarket to buy groceries. She then made soup, cooked a few dishes that Jane loved, and took them to the hospital.

Entering the ward, she saw her mother still lying in bed, eyes closed, motionless. The lunch she had bought earlier remained untouched, so Moira cleared them.

As she cleared the table, her phone suddenly rang.

Seeing that it was Virgil on the line, Moira left the ward to answer the call.

"My mother wants to meet for dinner. Are you free tonight?" Virgil's voice sounded from the other end.

Moira paused, feeling slightly overwhelmed. "Mr. Adams, didn't you see my message?"

There was a brief silence on the other end before he responded, "I told my mom you're my girlfriend."

His response tugged at Moira's heart a little, and she calmed down. Though initially wanting to reject the dinner, she changed her mind after thinking about how he probably needed to let his mother know about their relationship, too.

"I'm free tonight, but my mother can't be there. She has surgery this weekend, and the doctor won't let her leave the hospital. Would it be alright if I go alone?" Moira asked.

"That's fine," Virgil replied. "I'm a little busy now, but I'll pick you up later."

"It's alright. Just tell me the location, and I'll take a taxi," Moira said.

*****

Virgil had asked her to meet at Carmen's Kitchen, a well-known restaurant in Eldoria. Expecting an upscale atmosphere, Moira went home, changed into a new outfit, and applied light makeup.

Upon arrival, the waitress at the entrance led Moira upstairs after she mentioned Virgil's name, indicating that he had already made a reservation.

Moira stepped out of the elevator and saw a red carpet stretching to the end of the hall. The walls were adorned with exquisite oil paintings, and sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

Though it wasn't her first time at the restaurant, it was her first experience in the VIP section, where she heard the minimum spending was three thousand dollars.

Moira remembered Zea saying that you could tell how much someone valued you by their actions. Virgil's choice of this place for their first family meeting showed how much he valued their marriage.

All the doubts and regrets in her heart dissipated at that moment.

"Mrs. Mitchell, order whatever you like. Don't be shy, and don't worry about the cost. And Kayla, you're too thin! You need to eat more and take care of yourself!"

The familiar voice of a woman reached Moira's ears. She stopped in her tracks and saw a group of people walking toward her.

Chapter 3 The Impulsive Union

Moira didn't notice Virgil's intense gaze lingering on her as she introduced herself. "Are you Virgil Adams?" she asked, her tone polite.

Virgil gave a slight nod and slid into the seat across from her.

"What would you like to drink?" Moira offered, handing him the menu.

Without glancing at it, Virgil signaled the waiter and said, "An espresso." His sharp eyes returned to her, locking onto hers with a focus that made her uncomfortable.

Feeling the weight of his scrutiny, Moira straightened her posture, her body stiffening as if she were in a job interview rather than on a blind date. It was her first time in such a situation, and the awkwardness felt suffocating.

"Ms. Elliott, I believe fate has brought us here," Virgil began, his voice steady and deliberate.

Sensing her confusion, Virgil deduced she hadn't noticed him at Sunridge the previous night. Leaning back with his usual composure, he asked, "Do you have your identification documents with you?"

Caught off guard, Moira blinked. "What?"

"Since we're meeting with marriage in mind, I see no reason to waste time," Virgil replied matter-of-factly.

"I'm sure your mother has already told you about my background. You agreed to meet me, so I assume you have no objections. I find you a suitable match. If you're willing, I'd like to register our marriage today."

Moira froze, the words hitting her like a jolt. She had come to appease her mother, never expecting such a direct marriage proposal on their first meeting.

Seeing her hesitation, Virgil continued. "We're both adults. After marriage, I assure you of my loyalty and will provide my salary for household expenses. Feel free to ask if there's something else on your mind."

The mention of loyalty tugged at something deep inside her. Memories of five wasted years with Austin, who had betrayed her trust, flashed through her mind. She felt exhausted by the idea of starting over with someone new.

Marriage had become more of an obligation than a romantic dream to her. Her mother's constant pressure had dulled its significance. At this point, it hardly seemed to matter whom she married.

Austin's parting words echoed in her head: "You'll never find anyone better than me."

Looking at Virgil's composed demeanor and sharp features, she thought wryly, 'Well, guess what, Austin? I found someone more handsome.'

Impulsively, she agreed. "Let me get my documents," she said, allowing Virgil to accompany her home to retrieve them.

*****

As they parked in front of the city hall, doubts began creeping into her mind. 'Is this happening too quickly?'

Virgil exited the car and opened her door with a calm efficiency. "Let's go," he said, striding ahead with his long legs, forcing Moira to jog to keep up.

"Mr. Adams," she called, breathless. "Can I ask you something?"

He stopped and turned, his expression calm. "Having second thoughts?"

Moira hesitated, torn between the nagging thought that rejecting him might mean losing an opportunity and the lingering disbelief over how surreal the situation felt.

Gathering her thoughts, she asked cautiously, "With your looks and credentials, why haven't you married before now? Is there something I should know?"

Her mother had mentioned Virgil's impressive resume. She vaguely recalled that he was a programmer with a five-digit monthly salary. A man like him should have had no shortage of admirers.

Virgil's reply was blunt. "I'm not particularly interested in women."

"What?" Moira froze, her mind racing. "Are you... gay?"

The question tumbled out before she could stop herself, and panic bubbled up in her chest. 'Am I agreeing to be someone's cover story?' she thought.

Virgil raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but tinged with confusion. "Gay?"

"You know..." Moira faltered slightly, "Are you attracted to men?"

Understanding dawned on Virgil's face, and he shook his head firmly. "No."

Relief washed over Moira like a wave, but her confusion remained. "Then what did you mean when you said you're not interested in women?"

His neutral expression didn't waver. "I'm too busy with work, and relationships require time and energy, neither of which I can spare. Would that bother you?"

Relieved, Moira shook her head quickly. "Not at all!" she said, perhaps too eagerly. She caught herself, but the idea of minimal interaction sounded ideal.

Virgil raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm but said nothing more. "Good. Let's proceed," he said, leading her into the city hall.

*****

The marriage registration process was startlingly efficient. Before Moira knew it, she held their marriage license, staring at it in disbelief.

'Just like that. I'm married,' Moira thought, glancing at the man beside her.

As they exited the building, Virgil handed her a sleek black card. "This holds my salary. The password is six ones. Use it as needed. I have work to attend to, so I'll leave you here. I'll contact you later."

Moira stood frozen, watching as he hailed a taxi and disappeared. Looking at the bank card in her hand, she felt a strange mix of disbelief and amusement.

Holding the bank card, Moira recalled her debate with her best friend, Zea Rodriguez.

The discussion was about whether the man should hand over their salary to his wife, with Moira believing that both partners should share financial responsibilities, so there was no need for the man to hand over his entire salary.

On the other hand, Zea believed a man should surrender all his earnings, adhering to the old belief that wealth makes men prone to straying.

While she understood that not every man behaved this way, Zea saw requiring him to hand over his salary as a way to gauge his worthiness for a lifelong commitment.

Though the debate nearly escalated into a heated argument due to their differing beliefs, Moira still found Virgil's gesture commendable.

Her mood lightened as she pulled out her phone to snap a picture of her marriage license, hoping to share the news with Zea.

Just as Moira was about to send the picture, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Seeing the hospital's number flash on the screen, a sense of foreboding washed over her as she quickly answered.

*****

In the hospital room, the air was heavy and tense. Shards of glass and spilled water littered the floor while Jane sat motionless on the bed, her back to the door.

"Mom, what happened? Why did you discharge yourself?" Moira asked, rushing to her side. Her voice quivered with worry.

Jane had been diagnosed with early-stage stomach cancer. The prognosis was good if treated promptly, and Moira had worked hard to secure her a spot at Eldoria's best hospital.

After a difficult month-long wait, Jane's surgery was finally scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Missing it would mean another long delay.

Jane slowly turned, her face streaked with tears. "That actress, Kayla Mitchell..." Her voice trembled. "Is she Darlene Mitchell's daughter?"

Moira stiffened, her heart sinking as she knew Darlene Mitchell was a forbidden topic in their household.

"Answer me!" Jane's voice grew sharp, each word laced with anguish.

Moira hesitated but finally replied in a soft voice, "Yes."

Her mother wasn't the only one in the dark. Moira had also only learned yesterday that Kayla was the daughter of the Mitchell family.

Jane's voice cracked with anger. "You broke up with Austin, didn't you? Was it his idea?"

Moira took a deep breath, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. "He cheated on me, Mom," she said, her voice steady as she looked at how furious Jane was. "I was the one who ended it."

She hoped her mother would find solace knowing she had taken control, but Jane's anger surged.

"Austin's dating her! So Darlene stole my husband, and now her daughter has stolen my daughter's boyfriend?" Jane's voice trembled with fury, raw with years of unresolved pain.

Chapter 2 The Blind Date

The following day, Moira skipped work entirely. Instead, she emailed her resignation letter to the HR department and searched for a new job. She submitted multiple resumes to various companies, determined to start afresh.

Late morning, she received an email from Amy, the HR assistant. The message informed her that Austin hadn't approved her resignation and that he had given her a few days off to rest and reconsider.

Moira sneered at the response. Refusing to let anyone dictate her decisions, she printed the resignation letter, marched into Sailing Tech, and stormed into Austin's office without knocking.

In the middle of handing a signed document to his secretary, Austin raised his eyebrows at her sudden entrance.

With a quick wave, he dismissed the secretary, who closed the door on her way out. Setting his pen down, he rubbed his temples as though exasperated. "Didn't I give you some time off? Use it to rest and clear your head—"

"Sign it." Moira slapped the resignation letter onto his desk, her voice ice-cold.

Austin froze, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the letter and then at her resolute expression. His tone turned sharp. "Do you have to be so unreasonable? Every man cheats at some point! I made one mistake, and you want to give me a death sentence for it?"

Moira crossed her arms, her tone sharp and unyielding as she repeated herself, clearly done with the conversation. "Sign it. Now."

He stared at her for a long moment, frustration and anger brewing in his eyes. Finally, he grabbed the pen, scribbled his name across the paper, and shoved it back at her.

As she turned to leave, his voice rang out behind her, laced with venom. "You'll regret this, Moira."

Outside the building, Moira took a deep breath and stared up at the sleek sign of Sailing Tech.

"Five years of dedication to the company and Austin. And now, it was all over," Moira mumbled, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

The breakup's weight finally hit her as she arrived at the bus stop near the company building, and tears started streaming down her face.

Memories of their relationship flooded her mind as tears streamed down her face. They had been together since university, weathering the challenges that had ended so many of their friends' relationships after graduation.

Moira had believed they were different and that their love would lead them down the aisle. But now, she realized bitterly that their story was no exception.

Moira sat at the bus stop, tears flowing down her cheeks as she observed the buses arriving and departing. Two young women, noticing her as they got off, offered her a tissue, which she accepted with a small smile.

By noon, she composed herself, hailed a cab, and headed to the hospital.

*****

Inside her hospital ward, Jane Elliott frowned at her daughter. "Has Austin not come back from his business trip yet?"

Jane had been urging Moira to settle down, but it was clear now that the promise she and Austin made to register their marriage upon his return from his business trip would never be fulfilled.

Moira hesitated, then decided to tell the truth. "We broke up."

Jane's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice rising. "You broke up? Are you out of your mind?"

"Mom, you never liked Austin anyway. Shouldn't this make you happy?" Moira asked gently.

Jane scoffed. "Happy? You're 25, Moira. Five years with that man, and now you're starting over? What were you thinking? Did he dump you?"

Jane knew just how much her daughter cared about this relationship. Over the past two years, she had watched Austin climb the ladder of success while refusing to commit to marriage. Time and again, Jane had urged Moira to break up with him, but instead, Moira chose to move out to avoid her nagging.

That was why Jane was convinced the breakup had to be Austin's doing.

Moira shook her head, her voice steady yet firm. "I ended it. He's not the man I thought he was."

Jane narrowed her eyes, her tone cutting. "You've been with him for five years, and now you're saying he wasn't the man you thought he was? Don't try to play games with me. Tell me the real reason, or I'll ask him myself."

Moira sighed, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. "He doesn't want to settle down anytime soon. He said he'd consider marriage when he turns thirty. I'm not willing to wait that long."

"Wait until he's thirty?" Jane's voice rose sharply, disbelief etched across her face.

Jane was livid. "How convenient for him! By the time he's thirty, you'll be considered old, and having kids will be a high-risk gamble! He hasn't given a single thought to your future. A man like that will never put you first!"

"I told you long ago to break up with him," Jane said sharply. "Look at how cozy he's gotten with that actress. Even if he married you, do you really think you could keep him in line? Men like that always cheat eventually, just like your father did!"

Moira didn't respond, carefully avoiding the sting of her mother's words. Instead, she busied herself unpacking the meal she had brought, opening each container with quiet precision and arranging them before Jane.

Once everything was set, she listened patiently as her mother vented.

Eventually, Jane's frustration shifted into a new plan. "Do you remember Mrs. Page Adams? Her son is three years older than you. He's single, successful, and from a good family. Why not give him a shot?"

"Mom, I just broke up. Can't I have a moment to breathe?" Moira protested.

"You're 25! Do you think time waits for you? Have you seen how many of your classmates are already married with children? Some of their kids are walking, even running!" Jane's voice rose sharply, her thin frame emphasizing her frailty.

Her illness had drained her once full, fair face, leaving sharp cheekbones and a pointed chin that made her look harsher in anger. The sterile scent of disinfectant in the hospital added to the oppressive tension.

"Mom, can we talk about this later? Eat your lunch before it gets cold," Moira pleaded.

Jane turned away, ignoring her pleas as she lay back on the bed. "If you don't meet him, I might as well stop eating altogether. With my health, I probably don't have much time left anyway."

Moira sighed, her gaze fixed on her mother's turned back. "Fine, I'll meet him," she relented, her voice laced with resignation. "But I'm not making any promises."

Jane quickly sat up with a bright smile. "It's fine if it doesn't work out. I just want you to meet him. Having more options isn't a bad thing. We'll take our time, and eventually, you'll find someone you like."

As she spoke, she grabbed her phone and called Page Adams to confirm the meeting location.

*****

That afternoon, Moira arrived at a charming café for the blind date. She had no intention of dating again so soon, but her mother's relentless nagging had left her with little choice.

A few minutes later, a tall man walked through the door, effortlessly capturing the attention of everyone around. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers, the man's striking appearance caught even Moira's eye.

The man scanned the room before pulling out his phone. Just then, Moira's phone buzzed. She answered it and waved slightly to catch his attention.

He approached her table with quiet confidence, his movements natural and assured. Up close, his sharp features and magnetic presence made Moira's heart skip a beat.

'Wow, he looked even better in person than in the pictures,' she thought.

Looking at her, the man momentarily paused as if recalling something. "Moira?" he asked, his deep voice tinged with curiosity.

Chapter 6 Introductions And Intentions

Moira glanced at Virgil's handsome profile. Though they were officially married, today was their first meeting.

As they linked arms, parading their relationship before strangers, Moira wondered if Virgil felt uncomfortable or if he would play along. It almost seemed she was using him to make a statement in front of her ex's current girlfriend.

Her heart raced with nervous anticipation, worried he might deny their connection.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Virgil lowered his eyes to meet hers, then unexpectedly pulled her hand from his arm. Just as she was about to withdraw it, he firmly grasped her hand, enveloping it in his warm, reassuring grip.

Her heart skipped a beat, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. Her face suddenly felt hot.

"Let's go," Virgil said, his voice steady.

Without acknowledging Kayla, he guided Moira past her, not sparing her a glance.

Moira's unease melted away, comforted by his calm composure.

Kayla fumed, never encountering a man who dared to ignore her so openly. Still, she couldn't help but acknowledge his striking appearance.

'He's just her boyfriend, though,' Kayla thought while gritting her teeth. 'Whether they stay together is another story.'

*****

Moira followed him, feeling dizzy with nerves. She wanted to pull her hand away a few times but didn't dare move until they reached a private room.

Virgil opened the door with one hand, and Moira spotted Page Adams standing inside. Immediately, any thoughts of withdrawing her hand vanished.

Page greeted them with a warm smile. "You're here!"

"Hello, Mrs. Adams," Moira greeted politely.

"Hello," Page replied enthusiastically, her smile widening as she noticed their interlaced hands. "Come in, Ms. Elliott. You must be hungry! Here's the menu. Order whatever you like."

As they walked to the table, Virgil gently pulled out the chair for Moira. She paused, glancing up at him. His gentlemanly gesture felt so natural, making her feel genuinely cared for.

Virgil sat beside her while Page handed Moira the menu.

Moira glanced at the menu, enjoying the attention, but was shocked when she saw the exorbitant prices. 'A hundred dollars for a glass of juice? That's ridiculous,' she thought.

After flipping through the menu, Moira selected a few reasonably priced dishes. "Let's get a garden salad, a vegetable beef stew, and a steamed sponge pudding for dessert."

"I'm done. Would you like anything else, Mrs. Adams?" Moira politely asked as she passed the menu to Page.

Page had already skimmed through the menu before their arrival, fully aware of its high prices. However, she deliberately flipped through it again to show Moira that she valued her and took her seriously.

Page added a beef Wellington to the order, thinking it would be a better choice for the young couple. "Virgil, do you want anything? It's my treat tonight, so order whatever you'd like."

Without hesitation, Virgil added a few more expensive dishes.

When the waiter took his order, Moira noticed the most expensive items on the menu Virgil selected and quickly protested, "We won't be able to finish everything."

Virgil looked at her calmly and closed the menu. "That's all for now," he told the waiter.

After the waiter left, the room fell silent. Moira felt awkward, unsure of what to say next.

"Ms. Elliott," Page said warmly, taking Moira's hand. "I'm going to call you Moira if that's alright. From the first meeting, I hoped you'd become my daughter-in-law. I'm so happy that it's finally coming true!"

Page's openness took Moira aback. It was surprising, given they had only met once before.

Recalling that first encounter, Moira and her mother found Page faint from low blood sugar on the road. Moira rushed to get her food and stayed with her until she recovered. Since then, Page had hoped Moira would meet her son, Virgil.

On the other hand, Moira had helped care for Austin's mother countless times during their five-year relationship, but Jaylee never seemed to warm up to her.

Moira once thought marriage was just about two people being together.

Jaylee's disapproval hadn't seemed important as long as she and Austin were committed. But now, she finally saw her mother's perspective more clearly.

"Mrs. Adams, I'd be happy to be your daughter-in-law too," Moira said, touched.

"If your mother and I become in-laws, we won't have to worry about not having anyone to talk to!" Page sighed, and then her tone shifted to one of concern. "I heard she's having surgery this weekend. What happened?"

"Your mother didn't mention a word when we talked on the phone. If I had known earlier, I would have visited her," Page said with a concerned expression.

Moira observed Page quietly. She understood that, no matter how kind or understanding someone might seem, the news of a serious illness, especially cancer, would inevitably prompt them to reassess the relationship or marriage.

Moira tensed, realizing she had never mentioned her mother's illness to Virgil before their marriage.

After a pause, Moira decided not to hide the truth. "My mom has stomach cancer," she said quietly, watching Page's reaction.

She watched Page's face closely, dreading any signs of shock or anger. She feared accusations of deception for not disclosing everything before dating her son.

Page's face softened with compassion. "Stomach cancer? But she seemed fine the last time I saw her!"

"It was discovered during a routine check. The doctors said she's responding well to treatment since it's still in the early stages," Moira explained.

Page squeezed Moira's hand gently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry to hear this, dear. If there's anything you need, let Virgil or me know. You need to take care of yourself, too."

Moira was surprised by Page's heartfelt response. Since her mother's diagnosis, Moira had been under immense stress, but Page's genuine concern comforted her.

Her compassion struck Moira. It was so different from Austin, who had never even visited her mother during her illness, claiming he was too busy. His mother had even once cruelly called cancer "contagious" and convinced him to distance himself.

Looking back, she realized that Austin had indeed grown distant from her after that day.

Moira looked at Virgil, wondering how he would respond to this news.

Chapter 5 The Introduction

Darlene and Kayla appeared in Moira's sight. Walking alongside them was Austin's mother, Jaylee Santiago.

Jaylee and Moira locked eyes briefly, and Jaylee stopped in her tracks. "Moira, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Kayla and Darlene turned their attention to Moira, their expressions curious and slightly dismissive.

Dressed in the latest little black dress, Kayla oozed style and grace, while Darlene appeared regal and elegant in a custom gown and diamond necklace. They could easily pass off as sisters if one didn't know them.

Moira could see that time had treated Darlene well, unlike her mother, who had aged after being driven out of the Mitchell family twenty years ago.

Jaylee's tone grew more biting. "Moira, my son has broken up with you. Don't make a scene. You'll never be part of the Santiago family. Kayla is the one who will marry him. If you cause trouble today, I won't let you off easily."

Moira snapped out of her thoughts, her gaze hardening as she turned to Jaylee.

Resentment flashed across her face as memories resurfaced—when Austin had defended his mother's frugality after she served leftovers during their first meeting and for the shabby restaurant she chose when Moira had invited her mother out for a meal.

Moira knew Jaylee had always looked down on her, but she never expected Austin's rushed relationship announcement and Jaylee's eager invitation to the Mitchells so quickly.

"Is she worried her son won't secure his place as the son-in-law of the Mitchell Group?" Moira wondered, a hint of amusement creeping in as she observed the situation.

"I've already broken up with him," Moira said with a smile, her voice calm but firm. "I'm not in the habit of taking back trash."

Jaylee's face turned livid. "You wretched girl! How dare you speak of my son that way? Is this the kind of upbringing your mother gave you? No manners at all!"

At the mention of Jane, Darlene's eyes narrowed, and her gaze sharpened.

Moira stood her ground, unflinching. "My mother raised me just fine. If she hadn't, I'd be on all the social media platforms right now, exposing Austin's infidelity. I'm sure that would upset you."

"You wouldn't dare!" Jaylee shouted.

"You should know shame, Moira," Kaylee said as she removed her sunglasses, revealing a condescending look.

Moira met her gaze, her expression cold and unwavering. "And I think you're in no position to lecture me about shame, Ms. Mitchell."

Kayla sneered, "Austin told me he never really liked you. He stayed with you out of gratitude. But relationships should be about love. And let me tell you, the one who isn't loved is the real third party."

Moira's blood boiled when she heard what Kaylee said.

It was precisely what Darlene had said twenty years ago. Hearing it again, Moira couldn't help thinking about how ridiculous it sounded and how her mother had suffered so many years from the failed marriage.

Moira scoffed, "Who was it seducing attached men? Who was the third party in the affair? If I were you, I'd be ashamed."

"Do you think being a celebrity gives you the right to twist the truth, Ms. Mitchell?" Moira continued, her words cutting through the tension.

Kayla's face turned pale with humiliation, but Darlene caught on to the veiled accusations. She glanced at Moira, piecing together the truth that she was Jane's daughter.

Kayla, fuming, snapped, "Moira, do you even know who I am? If you cross me, I'll—"

"Kayla, enough!" Darlene interrupted, her voice stern.

"Mom. Didn't you hear what she said? I won't let her off so easily," Kayla protested, but Darlene's gaze remained steady.

"You claim you're not here for Austin. So, who are you here to meet?" Darlene's voice was low and cautious.

'Is she here to meet her father, Norman Mitchell? Or her grandfather, the head of the Mitchell family, Ford Mitchell?' Darlene wondered internally.

Before Moira could respond, a warm hand rested gently on her head, and a calm, familiar voice interrupted.

"Why are you still standing here?" Virgil asked, his voice smooth and reassuring.

Moira turned instinctively to face him, her heart skipping a beat. His perfectly sculpted face and lean frame stood in stark contrast to Austin. Dressed in simple yet sharp attire, Virgil exuded a quiet confidence that made Moira feel more at ease.

'He really does look so much better than Austin,' Moira thought while admiring his captivating features.

Without thinking, Moira stepped closer, linked her arm with him, and flashed a radiant smile. "Let me introduce you," she said coolly. "This is my boyfriend."

Kayla's expression shifted instantly, and the shock in her eyes became apparent as she looked at Virgil.

Having lived and grown up in the Mainor, Kayla had always been drawn to tall, athletic men. But after returning to Eldoria, no man caught her eyes except Austin, whom she considered handsome among the locals.

But now, the man standing beside Moira was even more striking and charismatic. Kayla couldn't help but feel jealous, seeing how Moira had moved on and got attached to someone so much more impressive.

"Are you really her boyfriend?" Kayla asked, her voice dripping with disbelief.

Chapter 7 The Meaning Of Marriage

Virgil remained absorbed in his phone, attending to business matters and seemingly oblivious to the conversation.

"Which hospital is your mother in? I'll visit her tomorrow," Page said, her voice warm and sincere.

"It's alright, Mrs. Adams. You don't need to trouble yourself," Moira replied.

Page smiled gently. "I've got time, and it's been a while since I've seen her. I'd like to visit."

After a moment of hesitation, Moira shared which hospital and ward her mother was in.

"You're seeing Dr. Mike Stokes, right? Our neighbor, Mrs. Susan Brown, has been his patient for years, and she swears by his skills," Page commented.

"We've consulted Dr. Kendrick Tenny. Dr. Stokes is away in Hesperia for an academic exchange and won't be back till three months later," Moira explained.

"Oh, that's a shame. Dr. Tenny might not be as skillful as Dr. Stokes. Why not wait for him to return?" Page asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I thought about it, but Dr. Stokes is getting older, and I heard he no longer takes in patients as often. Dr. Tenny is his student, and his surgeries have been highly praised," Moira said.

"Well, as long as you're in good hands, I'm sure everything will be fine," Page reassured her.

Moira felt touched by her kindness. Despite the rushed nature of her marriage to Virgil, she realized she wanted to build a future with him.

The rest of the meal passed comfortably, with Page chatting warmly and Virgil quietly refilling their cups when they were empty.

*****

After they finished eating, Page insisted on paying the bill, only to find it had already been taken care of. She shot an affectionate look at her son before grabbing Moira's hand.

"My son is very filial and capable," Page said, her voice full of pride. "No one is as lucky as I am. Moira, I'm sure if you marry my son, he'll treat you wonderfully."

Moira smiled and agreed, "Virgil is a very caring man."

"He's just bad with words. If he knew how to talk, he wouldn't still be single at his age," Page laughed.

"Still, my son is a picky man. Plenty of girls liked him, but he wasn't interested. You two, though, made it official after just one meeting. It must be fate."

Page beamed as she teased, "Since fate brought you together, take the next step. I'll help with the grandkids while I'm still energetic!"

Moira nodded in agreement, not wanting to dampen the cheerful atmosphere. Pleased with Moira's obedience, Page warmly reminded her to visit for a meal soon, promising to prepare something delicious.

*****

When they arrived at the hospital, Moira reached for the door handle but paused. Something crossed her mind, and she turned to Virgil abruptly.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

Virgil met her gaze, but his expression was unreadable.

After a day together, she thought he might be a good partner. But her mother's illness weighed heavily on her mind.

Her mother's treatment would be expensive, and though Moira could afford it, the potential for relapse was a constant concern. Moira realized she should be upfront with Virgil.

After a brief pause, she continued softly, "If you mind my mother's condition, we can divorce now. I don't want to drag you down."

Virgil's expression darkened. "You want a divorce after one day of marriage?"

Moira bit her lip. "I didn't make things clear earlier. This is deception."

Virgil studied her for a moment and saw the resolve in her eyes. Then he asked, "If my mom had cancer, would you ask for a divorce?"

Moira instinctively shook her head, and at that moment, she understood his perspective.

Virgil smiled slightly, his voice softening. "You wouldn't divorce me. So why would you think I'd do it?"

"Moira Elliott, you really think too little of me," Virgil said, his tone serious.

Moira tensed when he used her full name, unsure how to respond, but she apologized again.

Virgil continued, "From now on, I expect you to speak to me directly about any issues. Don't bring up divorce so easily."

After a brief pause, he added, "I chose to marry you, and I won't consider divorce. I hope you'll be responsible and committed, too. Don't talk about divorce again."

Moira nodded, and Virgil's phone rang, interrupting the moment.

"I'll go first. Drive safely," Moira said softly, stepping out of the car.

Moira didn't head straight to her mother's ward. Instead, she sat on a bench downstairs, gathering her thoughts before visiting.

When she finally entered her mother's room, she found that Jane had finished the food she prepared.

Relieved, Moira adjusted her mother's blanket and sat by her bed for half an hour before leaving.

*****

Moira's determination to keep moving forward led her to an interview at a company Zea recommended. The interview went smoothly, and she was hired on the spot with a higher-than-expected salary.

Just as she was about to call Zea to celebrate, her phone rang with a familiar number.

She had deleted Austin's contact, but his number was burned into her memory. Without hesitation, she hung up and blocked the number.

Moira confirmed her plans with Zea, but then another call came, and it was from Joy McCoy.

Joy, a friend and former colleague from Sailing Tech, had supported Moira during her mother's accident when she couldn't return to town in time. Not wanting to sever ties, Moira decided to answer the call.

"Moira, you have a new boyfriend already?" Austin's angry voice came through.

Moira pursed her lips, unsurprised that it was Austin. She calmly responded, "Austin, we're over. I told you not to contact me ever again."

"Moira, you haven't answered my question. Do you have a boyfriend now?" Austin demanded.

Moira didn't deny it. "Yes, I have a boyfriend now."

Austin's voice rose. "We broke up yesterday, and you're already with someone else? Were you seeing him while we were still together? Is that why you broke up with me?"

Chapter 8 No Looking Back

Moira hadn't expected Austin to turn the tables on her, accusing her of infidelity and making her out to be the villain.

"Why are you silent, Moira? Did I strike a nerve? You always claimed to only love me, but it was all a lie. You cheated on me! You betrayed me!" Austin bellowed into the phone.

Moira clenched her fist, breathing deeply to suppress her anger. "Think whatever you like," she said coldly. "But stop calling me. Let's pretend we never met, Austin. Don't force me to lose the last shred of respect I have for you."

Without waiting for a reply, Moira hung up and stared at the screen. Though tempted, she refrained from blocking Joy's number in case she needed to contact her friend.

Luckily, Austin didn't call again.

*****

After having dinner with Zea, Moira returned to the hospital. Standing outside the ward, she gathered her courage before opening the door.

"Mom, I brought some soup for you—" Her voice trailed off when she saw that the room was empty.

Panic gripped her until Jane walked in from the hallway, smiling warmly. "Moira, you're back."

"Mom, where were you? I was worried!" Moira asked, trying to hide her unease.

Jane smiled and explained, "I sent Page downstairs and chatted with her. She just left."

Hearing Page's name brought a smile to Jane's face, something Moira hadn't seen often since her diagnosis.

"Page told me you and Virgil are getting along well," Jane beamed.

"Are you really dating now?" Jane asked, still sensing a slight unease.

Although Page reassured her about Virgil, she worried Moira might be rushing into things, especially so soon after breaking up with Austin.

Although Jane had encouraged Moira to go on blind dates, she intended for Moira to meet more people while she still had the opportunity to choose rather than settle for just anyone.

"Mom, Virgil is a nice guy," Moira said, her voice soft but steady. "We're dating with marriage as the goal."

Jane's brow furrowed slightly. "Is it really because he's a nice guy, or is it because I forced you into a blind date?" she asked.

Moira hesitated. She had agreed to the marriage partly to avoid more blind dates, but she couldn't bring herself to admit that.

"I'm not that silly to be with someone I don't like just to spite you," Moira answered, smiling softly.

She paused, then added, "With Virgil's qualifications, I feel like if I miss this opportunity, I might not find another person like him."

After all, Virgil was incredibly well-qualified. Aside from his salary and professional success, his appearance made him stand out.

Moira was just an ordinary person who appreciated beautiful things, and Virgil was no exception.

"Look at how you're praising him. Is he really that great?" Jane asked, teasing her.

Jane had already seen Virgil's photo, and he was indeed handsome. His job was impressive, too. Additionally, Page mentioned that he was a steady person with few female friends, which pleased her even more.

"Even though I'm twenty-five, my standards are still high!" Moira quipped.

Jane laughed, the tension easing from her face. Moira felt relieved as she saw her mother's worry melt away.

"Mom, this mushroom soup is really delicious. Try it," Moira said, pushing the bowl closer to her mother.

Jane took the bowl and sipped the soup, feeling much better. "After my surgery, bring him over to meet me. I'll give you my opinion," she said with a smile.

"Okay," Moira replied, pleased.

After lunch, Moira shared the news of her new job with her mother, which made Jane incredibly happy. The atmosphere was light, and they enjoyed each other's company, but their happiness was short-lived.

*****

The next day, when Moira went to complete her paperwork at the new company, she was told that, after an assessment, she wasn't suitable for the position and that they could no longer offer her a contract.

Moira didn't expect the confirmed job offer to fall through, but this was the company's decision.

"Perhaps they found someone better and more suitable for the position," Moira thought, sighing as she knew this was beyond her control.

Confused and disappointed, Moira opened her email to find responses from other companies. She contacted each one, who all replied that they were no longer hiring.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Elliott. The position has already been filled. You might want to look at other companies," the staff on the phone said.

'That can't be. This company just replied to my email not too long ago,' Moira thought, confused by the responses.

Though Moira did not want to think the worst of people, something didn't seem right, and it didn't take long for Moira to connect the dots.

Suspecting that Austin was behind it, Moira reached out to Joy.

Joy, who was aware of the couple's situation, felt deeply for Moira. Recalling how close they had been in the past, she confirmed that Austin had likely made these arrangements with the companies beforehand.

Moira was furious. She unblocked Austin's number and called him, but her call went unanswered.

She called again, but still no answer, and Moira knew that Austin was deliberately ignoring her!

Instead of calling again, Moira decided to confront him in person.

*****

Moira was seething with anger when she arrived at Sailing Tech, ready to confront Austin. However, the receptionist refused to let her in, citing that she was no longer an employee.

Though she wanted to call Joy for help, she didn't want to jeopardize her friend's job, so she composed herself.

She waited downstairs, confident that Austin would eventually come down.

At lunchtime, her patience was rewarded when she saw him exiting the elevator, accompanied by Kayla, who wore a pink V-neck dress that was both elegant and revealing.

Moira stormed forward, blocking their path.

Austin glanced at her, his expression cold and unbothered. Kayla, however, was visibly annoyed.

"What are you doing, Moira?" Kayla yelled, drawing the attention of bystanders.

Moira ignored her and fixed her gaze on Austin. "I didn't expect you to be this kind of person."

Austin's eyes hardened. He casually placed an arm around Kayla's waist and spoke with chilling indifference, "Moira, I've told you before. The person I like is Kayla. Stop bothering me."

Kayla smirked, now confident after Austin's public declaration. She leaned into his embrace, lifting her chin in triumph. "Moira, did you hear that? Austin chose me instead of you. You're nothing more than his former assistant."

Moira's eyes flashed with fury, but Kayla wasn't done. "Take my advice, and stop thinking about climbing the social ladder. It's pathetic."

"As a girl, love yourself and cherish yourself," Kayla sneered. "Have some self-respect and stop thinking about taking shortcuts."