Mystery Bride's Revenge

"Manuel, I... "The moment Ashley saw Manuel Harvey, the youngest of her elder brothers, her eyes welled up and tears started streaming down her checks. She ran to Manarland hugged ham tight, crying her heart out. "What's wrong. Ashley? C'mon, don't cry. Selina, did you mess with Ashley again?" Manuel shot a glare at Selina that could start a fire.

"No. Manuel, it's not like that. It's not her fault, I just... It's not about Selina..

"Good... Just so you know, if Selina ever gives you trouble, you sell me, okay? She won't get away with it." Manuel didn't try to hide his contempt for Selina.

He never understood why his parents bothered to bring Selina back home. If she had turned out to be some refined, smart lady, maybe he could've put up with her. But no, they brought back a zero, as plain as a dry piece of white bread from the sticks. Every time he saw Selina, it was like a bad smell filled the room. Her clothes were cheap and she was shy, like she was always scared of something. He'd rather give her a piece of his mind than let the Harvey name look had. Ashley, thought she was like their little princess-bright, sharp, sweet, and the boys in the family adored her

Normally, Selina would just shrink into herself, staring at the floor, holding back the tears, and trying not to sniffle, Manuel made it clear-he couldn't stand tears, especially from Selina. When she cried, he got mad. But this time was different. Selina climbed the stairs without a care, no

tears at all

Manuel was thrown off for a second but shook it off quickly. Ashley needed him.

Then Sara came in. "Has anyone seen Selina?"

"I don't know. Mom, what's going on? Ashley was bawling earlier.

Before Sara could answer, down came Selina with her bags in tow

"What on earth are you doing, Selina?" Sara was obviously floored.

"I won't beat around the bush, Mrs. Harvey. I'm moving out and changing my residency. Let's get the paperwork done soon. As of now, I'm done with the Harvey name:

Sara was floored but snapped, "Just like that, you want out? What will people say? You're not out unless you're married!"

"Good I be back with my husband tomorrow." With that, Selina kft, her suitcase in tow, leaving everyone stunned into silence.

Shaking it off. Manuel said, "Hold up.. Mom, is Selina serious! She's leaving us? Makes it seem like we're kicking her out, and she's married?"

"Not cool, Selina. You can't just walk on Suddenly, Ashley wriggled our of Manuel's hold and dashed after Selina

"Ashley, where are you going?" Manuel held her back.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Ashley's face was wet with tears: "But Selina wems so sad. Manuel, she's our family, after all

"That woman's always causing dramal Mom, what do we do

"Hold it right there. I want to see this husband of hers tomorrow. Like she could net anyone decent, snored Sara

Selina hopped into an Uber, tapped on her phone, and pulled up a well-known dating app, swiping through profiles. One caught her eye: "Tired of the pressure to settle down. Looking for a pretend marriage partner to get my parents off my back. Hit me up at the numbers below" Bingo!

Trevon Brady was buried in paperwork at Insight Group, moving through the tasks methodically. An unexpected ring from his phone made him raise an eyebrow, but he answered it. "Hello""

"You're looking to fake marriage, huh? Same here, Let's get this done today" Selina wasted no time in getting to the point. She needed to dodge any last-ditch effort from the Harvey family, and moving her legal residency was a must. Marriage seemed like a good cover for that. That way, she'd leave no openings for them to exploit

Trevon stared at his phone where his half-sister land messaged him about posting a sham marriage ad. He'd thought she was joking, but she wasn't Recalling the relentless family setups and the marriage nag, he paused before replying, "Alright, let's meet ""It's a date"

Selina spotted Trevon at their reserved spot in a fancy

fancy steak restaurant, calmly sipping coffee. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine-imposing jawline and all, giving off an air of command. His appearance was flawless, down to the buttons on his shirt and the designer watch on his wrist indicating a methodical and private person

Trevon took in Selina's look. Understated yet undeniable beauty, the kind that didn't need makeup to turn heads. As he was about to talk. Selina put

2:30 PM

down a contract. "He my fake husband. I need you on speed dial. I'll pay you 30 thousand dollars a month for your time. Let's hit the City Hall none, Got your license on your Trevon was caught off-guard by her forwardness,

"Not good enough! 111 toss in another 30 thousand To Selina, the money was no object, the important thing was his word. Making money was the least of her wOETIC

"I'm not after the cash, Here's my deal; stand by my side at events, make appearances at family stuff, and I'll return the favor. We keep it even, no strings attached" "Deal

"I've got my driver's license. We need to make it to the City Hall before it closes. Let's roll"

They drove to the City Hall just in time to get the marriage license. Right after, Trevon sent a friend request to Selina on WhatsApp. This is how you can reach me

His profile picture was a simple black and white image; his username was just "Trevon

She added him and Trevon said coolly. Tve gotta head back to the office. Il text you my place later." Then he was gone, back to his car and his work.

Selina looked at their marriage license. That was too easy. She real Trevon's name under her breath her determination icy as she planned to break free from the Harvey family entirely tomorrow. History wasn't about to repeat itsell