Chapter 2

"Skylar, don't bother coming back if you step out of the door!" Sadie gaped at Skylar in shock, who had just left decisively. The veins on Sadie's temples throbbed with rage. Skylar was extremely out of line today! "How dare she? Jeff, what are we going to do now?" Infuriated, Sadie swerved toward Jeffrey. Jeffrey trailed after Skylar solemnly. His expression darkened when he saw how she left the hospital without a hint of hesitation. "She doesn't have any money with her, so there's nowhere she can go. She'll apologize to us tomorrow. Then, we can proceed with the blood transfusion." "A troublemaker, that's what she is! We can't just forgive her easily, even if she apologizes to us tomorrow. We can't spoil her anymore," Sadie chimed in, utterly exasperated. "Mom, don't be mad! It's not good for your health. Maybe Skylar will return tonight," Maisy said, her eyes glinting. Skylar couldn't shy away from her responsibility to donate her blood to Maisy. She might have thrown a huge tantrum earlier, but she would show up all docile and submissive again tomorrow. Maisy was determined to prove her utmost significance in the family to Skylar. Everyone cherished her, and even Skylar's identity as the Williams family's biological daughter couldn't change that. … Skylar rummaged through her bag for her phone after she left the hospital. Her hand quivered slightly as she dialed a number. She had to make this decision quickly. "Grandma Gloria, I've changed my mind. I will marry your grandson." A smile spread across her features as she imagined Gloria Hinman's delighted smile on the other end of the phone. Skylar mused over her past after she hung up. Gloria was an old friend of Viola Zindel's, who was neighbors with Skylar's adoptive mother, Janine Yancey. Viola had moved to the countryside around three decades ago. Skylar had thought that Viola must have been lonely, so she had kept Viola company during her free time. In return, Viola had taught her many things. Later, Skylar had left the countryside for college. One time, when Viola had visited her at her college, she had brought Gloria with her as well. Skylar had kept in touch with Gloria since then. One day, Gloria had suddenly brought Joe Martin to meet Skylar at a restaurant. She had intended for Joe to marry Skylar. It had been Skylar's first time meeting Joe. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, Joe had stood out in the crowd. She hadn't dared to meet his eyes, for she feared the indifference in his gaze. He had said that he was fine with Gloria's proposal. Gloria had been waiting for Skylar's response since then. However, Skylar had been completely besotted with Christopher back then. She had told Gloria that she had a boyfriend, and Gloria had been extremely disappointed. Joe had called her the next day, saying that Gloria was ill and that she only had three years left to live. Their marriage was her only wish. He had said that if Skylar agreed to marry him, he would fulfill all of her demands, as long as they were reasonable. Nonetheless, she had refused his proposal. She had gotten into an accident not long after, and she had needed an exorbitant amount for the surgery fees. Jeffrey and Sadie had refused to save her back then, thinking of her as a burden after she had been amputated. But Gloria had happened to learn about Skylar's situation. She paid for Skylar's surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation expenses. Skylar had later discovered that Sadie and Christopher had put on an act in front of Gloria. Sadie had bawled her eyes out, saying that she would treat Skylar well from then on. Gloria had fallen for it. She had even had Joe assist Jeffrey's company through their crisis. After that, Christopher and Maisy had dismissed Gloria's attempts to visit Skylar. Skylar's soul had lingered around for a bit after she had died. Gloria had visited her, and she had seen Glora weeping over her body. Revenge wasn't her only purpose in this life; she also wanted to repay Gloria's kindness. The odds weren't in her favor, though. She had just rejected Joe the day before she had been reborn. She was worried that she would appear fickle and that he would turn down her offer. Skylar stowed her phone away in her bag and marched toward the bus stop. Her phone rang once she reached the stop. Joe's cool voice echoed from the other end of the line. "Ms. Williams, why did you change your mind?" Skylar's gaze fell on the bus stop sign. "Your proposal sounded great, Mr. Martin." Joe lapsed into silence. Shortly after, he said in a composed manner, "Let's meet at the courthouse at 3:00 pm today." … In Martin Group's building, Joe signaled to his assistant, Paul Ziegler, to continue speaking after he hung up. "The Williams family brought Ms. Williams back six months ago. She'd been living with her adoptive parents in the countryside since she was young. "She met her boyfriend, Christopher, in high school. They started dating in high school, and they went to different colleges after they graduated. I'm still looking into other details." Paul reported the findings of his brief investigation on Skylar. Several pictures of her were placed on the desk. Looking at her photos, Joe noted the intimacy between her and Christopher in a picture where their arms were interlocked with each other. Both of them seemed youthful, but Skylar's youth didn't hinder the fact that she was a dazzling beauty. "By the way, Ms. Williams has been donating blood to the Williams family's adopted daughter, Maisy, for the past six months," Paul added. Joe glanced at his watch, confirming the time. "Prepare a three-year covert marriage agreement." Paul was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Joe to be so decisive about marrying Skylar, who already had a fiancé. Wasn't he worried that Skylar had a trick up her sleeve? … Skylar arrived at the courthouse at 2:55 pm after taking the bus and the subway. She had her personal documents in her bag; she planned to proceed with the process of officially separating from Jeffrey and Sadie after donating blood that day. Her eyes glinted coldly. She would never be part of the Williamses again in this life. Joe arrived promptly in five minutes. Skylar met his gaze the moment she glanced up. Indifference shrouded his eyes, and he exuded an air of sophistication. As he stared at her, the scrutiny in his piercing gaze was evident. Skylar wasn't surprised. If she were him, she would wonder why she had changed her mind as well. "Sign this agreement before we register for marriage." Joe withdrew his gaze swiftly and handed two documents over to her. As she skimmed through the documents, Skylar noticed that it was clearly stated in the agreement that they were to be divorced after three years. Their marriage was to remain a secret during those three years. Aside from displaying their married status in front of Gloria, it was mandatory for Skylar to keep their relationship a secret in public. "I have no objections to your terms. I won't pester you once we get a divorce after three years." Joe stopped her when she was just about to sign the agreement. "There will be no room for regrets after you sign this. Have you thought this through?" Skylar nodded briskly. "Yes." "What are your conditions?" Joe inquired. Realizing what he meant, Skylar suddenly reined in her words just as she was about to say that she had none.