When Four Billionaires Pretended to Be Poor Together Chapter 07

When Four Billionaires Pretended to Be Poor Together Chapter 07 I Said Yes to the Man Who Beat Me

I frowned. “What?”

“I mean you marry Kieran. Izzy marries Julian.”

The words hit like an ice pick straight through my chest.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You want Izzy to marry the man who killed her baby? You want me to marry the man who had me locked up?”

“This is the smart play.” His tone left no room for argument. “Hawthorne needs our name in politics. We need their tech to stay in the game. You two marry in, and that bond is solid. You’ll still run the Hawthorne house. No one’s going to treat you badly.”

“Smart?” I huffed a laugh, my eyes going cold.

“So Izzy suffers a lifetime of nightmares just to buy your political security-and that’s what you call smart?”

“I’m trying to protect you.” His face darkened. “Sierra, your father put you in my care before he died. I’m not your enemy. Kieran has real feelings for you. And Julian has his moments with Izzy. He’s not all bad. Give it time. This will all feel different someday.”

“You think Izzy will ever ‘feel different’ about losing her child? You think I’ll ever be okay with the man who betrayed me?”

Alistair’s expression went cold.

“At this level, marriage is just another merger. You were born into a position that comes with responsibilities. You don’t get to run on feelings. This isn’t a discussion. The wedding is in one month.”

“Neither Izzy nor I is marrying those Hawthorne scumbags! It’s never happening!”

His face went dark in an instant.

“Sierra, I gave you a chance to do this the easy way.”

I let out a cold laugh. “Your idea of a chance is shoving us into hell?”

“Enough!”

His hand came up fast.

Then slapped across my face-hard.

The sharp crack echoed down the empty hallway.

My cheek stung. I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth.

“I’ve tolerated you this long only out of respect for your father,” he growled, his finger nearly brushing my nose. “But that ends today. I’m freezing every Windsor trust fund you have. And your family can forget about doing business in my state. Now get out. I’m done looking at your face.”

I didn’t bother fighting it anymore. I just turned and walked out of the hospital.

The moment I hit the curb and pulled out my phone to call an Uber, a black Bentley pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down, and Kieran’s face appeared-that fake, polished smile.

“Sierra, get in.”

His

gaze

landed on my swollen cheek, and something like pity flashed across his eyes.

“I heard what happened. Mr. Windsor went too far.”

I didn’t move.

He stepped out of the car and walked over to me, his voice soft-that familiar, practiced softness.

“Don’t fight him head-on. You’ll lose. Just marry me. I’ll keep you safe. I’ll help take care of Izzy.”

I looked at him and almost laughed at how stupid the whole thing was.

“Why are you so desperate for this marriage, Kieran? What’s your real play here?”

His eyes flickered.

Then he sighed.

“Truth is, Valerie was mine first. Our families arranged it a long time ago. Julian stole her from me. I stepped aside to keep the peace in the family. But Julian doesn’t know how to hold onto anything. He’s been stringing Izzy along while still messing around with Valerie.”

“Valerie’s just hurt. That’s why she went after Izzy. Today went too far, I’ll admit that. But Julian’s heart? It was never with Izzy. It’s always been Valerie.”

Cool.

A cheap love triangle between two brothers-and Izzy and I were expected to pay for it.

I stayed silent for a long time.

I knew Alistair meant what he said.

No resources. No moves left.

Marrying Kieran was my only option for now.

And getting inside the Hawthorne estate was exactly what I needed. That’s where the evidence was buried. Dig it out, then tear apart their deal with Alistair. That’s the only way to save Izzy.

I looked up at him.

“Fine. I’ll marry you.”

Kieran’s eyes lit up instantly.

“You’re in good hands now, Sierra. Trust me. You’re never going to look back.”