Ring On My Finger, Crown On My Head

The next morning at ten, the airport was bustling with travelers.

Pulling her suitcase behind her, Khloe stepped out of the arrivals terminal.

As soon as she switched on her phone, a message from her eldest brother, Ashton Todd, popped onto the screen. "Emergency at the office—can't pick you up myself. Sent someone instead."

Khloe simply replied, "Okay," before wheeling her suitcase to the pickup area to wait.

Not far from where she stood, a tall man with long, confident strides made his way toward the arrivals exit. It was Caiden Barton.

His expression was grim, and the icy aura surrounding him naturally kept everyone at a distance.

Had his father not threatened him so forcefully, he would never have spent his morning picking up a stranger and taking her straight to city hall to register their marriage.

His lips were pressed into a thin line, and impatience was written all over his face.

He took out his phone and opened the photo his father had sent him.

It had clearly been taken from a distance. It was a petite woman, bathed in warm sunlight, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she smiled, looking innocent and gentle.

He pocketed the phone and let his eyes drift across the crowd.

It didn't take long before his eyes settled on a slender woman dressed in a black trench coat. Her hair was loosely pinned up, and despite wearing no makeup at all, her beauty was impossible to overlook.

He studied her for a brief moment before walking over.

"You're from Esterland?" he asked in a calm, detached voice after stopping in front of her.

Khloe looked up in surprise, clearly puzzled by the unexpected question.

Assuming Ashton had sent him, she quietly nodded.

Receiving the confirmation he wanted, Caiden asked nothing else.

"Follow me," he said simply before turning around and walking away.

Khloe immediately picked up her suitcase and hurried after him.

Once inside the car, Caiden leaned back and shut his eyes—clearly not in the mood to chat.

Khloe also remained silent. She turned toward the window and quietly watched the scenery outside.

She'd just walked away from a three-year mistake. Exhausted in every way, all she wanted now was to go back to the home she hadn't seen in years.

From the driver's seat, the driver quietly studied the rearview mirror. Those two looked nothing like a couple about to get married.

Khloe slowly blinked and shifted her attention back to the view outside. The moment she recognized the building in front of them, she stiffened.

It was the Sokmont City Hall.

She turned toward Caiden, completely bewildered. "Why did you bring me here?"

By then, Caiden had already stepped out of the car. He looked back at her with a slight frown. "Didn't your family explain anything? Given how things are with them right now, marrying me is your best bet."

Khloe's thoughts instantly went blank. What exactly was he talking about?

Then Ashton's earlier message suddenly resurfaced in her mind. A horrible thought struck her—was her family in trouble? Had things gotten so bad that Ashton had to marry her off to save them?

With trembling fingers, she quickly called Ashton's number. It went straight to voicemail.

She dialed again. Then again. Every attempt ended exactly the same way.

Her heart slowly sank.

Three years earlier, she had abandoned her family without looking back. She had severed every tie for Vernon's sake. If her family was truly facing a disaster now, how could she possibly turn her back on them again? Marriage was nothing more than a piece of paper. Who the groom was didn't matter. If this could save her family, she'd take it—no matter the cost.

She slowly lowered her phone, drew a deep breath, and stepped out of the car. "Let's do it."

Caiden briefly looked at her. Something about her response felt unusual, but he had no interest in asking questions.

One after another, they walked into the city hall.

The entire registration was completed in less than an hour.

When they emerged from the building, Caiden pulled out a key and handed it to Khloe. "Villa 8, Crystal Villas. Move in whenever. I've got things to do—catch you later."

With that, he slipped into his car and drove off.

Khloe watched the car disappear into the distance, her lips parting slightly in disbelief. Was that really the extent of his enthusiasm for getting married?

Then again, perhaps that was exactly how it should be. Their marriage was nothing more than an agreement, so there was no reason to act like a devoted couple.

Pushing the thought aside, she tucked the key into her bag, walked over to the roadside, and hailed a passing taxi.

About thirty minutes later, the taxi came to a stop outside the familiar wrought-iron gates.

After paying the driver, Khloe stepped out of the car.

Her eyes stung as she took in the house.

Three years ago, she'd walked down this driveway vowing never to come back—convinced love was all she needed, convinced Vernon was the one.

How stupid that seemed now.

Just then, the front gates slowly opened. An elderly man with graying hair hurried toward her, accompanied by two household staff.

"Khloe! You're finally home!" Edwin Hayes, the family's longtime butler, stopped in front of her with tear-filled eyes. "You've become so thin..."

Seeing the man who had cared for her since she was little, Khloe felt warmth spread through her heart. She gently took hold of his arm and smiled. "I'm home."

"Coming back is all that matters." Edwin discreetly wiped the moisture from the corner of his eye, his voice thick with emotion. "Come inside."

Khloe nodded with a gentle smile and walked into the estate beside him.

"Where are my brothers?" she asked as casually as she could.

Edwin replied, "Ashton is tied up with company matters. But he instructed everyone last night to prepare for your return today, so the entire household has been busy since early this morning. As for Bryson, he's still overseas. He most likely hasn't heard that you've come home yet."