CHAPTER THIRTEEN: MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE

---

Zade drove Daisy and Stacy through the quiet streets of the upper-class district, heading towards his villa in the affluent part of the city. The car's smooth hum contrasted with the chaotic whirlwind of thoughts that filled Daisy's mind. She glanced back at Stacy, who slept peacefully in the backseat, her tiny chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Despite the turmoil surrounding them, the child seemed blissfully unaware, wrapped up in the innocence of sleep.

As they arrived at the villa, Daisy couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety creep into her chest. The towering building before them was nothing short of intimidating, a clear representation of Zade's wealth and status. Everything about the place screamed luxury—polished marble, expansive glass windows, and a cold, unapproachable aura that only heightened her unease.

Zade parked the car and led them inside, his steps brisk and purposeful, while Daisy trailed behind him. In the elevator, the silence between them grew heavier. Daisy stood awkwardly, clutching the small collection of items she had managed to salvage from her house. They were the only belongings she had that were hers and Stacy's—simple, unremarkable things, but they meant the world to her. Meanwhile, Zade held the sleeping Stacy in his arms, effortlessly cradling the child as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

Stacy, despite her age, was still small for her stature, making it somewhat difficult for Daisy to carry her at times. But seeing Zade hold her daughter so easily, so protectively, stirred something inside Daisy she hadn't expected. His arms, strong and steady, wrapped around the girl with such care, almost as if he had been carrying her since birth. The sight of him softly patting Stacy's back when she stirred slightly in her sleep sent a strange flutter through Daisy's heart, a feeling she wasn't prepared to confront.

*No, she couldn't let herself feel anything.* She shook the thought from her mind quickly, forcing herself to remember the reality of their situation. *This is just a contract marriage,* she reminded herself firmly. *.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, breaking the silence, and the two of them walked into Zade's villa. Daisy's eyes widened slightly at the sight before her. The interior was everything she had imagined—pristine, modern, and exuding an air of wealth and success. Expensive art adorned the walls, and the furniture looked like it belonged in a high-end magazine. It was beautiful, but it felt cold, impersonal, and distinctly masculine. It was clear Zade hadn't intended to make this place a home for a family. It was designed for a bachelor, a man who had no plans for children or a wife.

He had already prepared another house for his contract wife to stay in after the marriage till the divorce,but circumstances had changed by His uncle inviting his grandmother to the wedding, and now she knows the face of his bride .

He is so sure his grandmother is watching his every move and he can not afford it take chances, so he couldn't risk letting Daisy live in a separate house. The scrutiny was too intense. For the sake of appearances, they had to live together.

"I'll drop her in the room on the left," Zade said, breaking the tense silence that had settled between them. "You can sleep there with her. That's the guest room. The villa only has two bedrooms, but it's spacious enough." His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of discomfort, as if he was trying to distance himself from the situation.

Daisy nodded wordlessly, following him as he carried Stacy into the room he had mentioned. The guest room was polished like the rest of the villa, but it felt less intimidating. The warm, earthy tones of brown and white made the space feel homely, much different from the rest of the house. It was a small comfort in an otherwise overwhelming place.

Zade gently placed Stacy on the bed, his movements careful and deliberate, as if he was afraid to disturb the child's peaceful slumber. Daisy set her meager belongings on the floor, the only pieces of her old life that remained. For a brief moment, the silence between them stretched again, thick with unspoken words.

"We'll be going to the courthouse tomorrow to get our marriage certificate," Zade finally said, his voice shifting back to the authoritative, businesslike tone she was more accustomed to. It was a stark contrast to the gentleness he had shown just moments ago. "I want everything finalized as soon as possible. After that, we can proceed with the divorce."

The abrupt change in his demeanor made Daisy stiffen slightly, but she had already grown used to this colder side of him. She forced herself to remain composed. "Okay, sir," she replied softly, trying to ignore the pang of discomfort that settled in her chest.

Zade simply nodded and turned to leave, closing the door behind him.

---

The next morning, Zade drove Stacy to school with Daisy sitting silently beside him. The drive was quiet, but the tension in the air was palpable. When they arrived at the school, Zade didn't exit the car, preferring to avoid the attention his flashy car had already attracted in the parking lot. Stacy waved goodbye as she ran into the building, her small figure disappearing into the crowd of children.

Zade then drove Daisy directly to the courthouse, the atmosphere between them remaining heavy and awkward. As they stepped out of the car, Daisy felt a sudden chill run down her spine, a familiar feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Daisy?" A loud, screeching voice called out, freezing her in her tracks.

It was a voice she could recognize anywhere, a voice that haunted her nightmares and plagued her memories.

"Daisy, clean my room!"

"I want the necklace Dad gave you. I like yours better. Mom, tell her to give it to me!"

"I burned your clothes—they were too ugly to look at."

And the worst one of all: "From today onwards, you are no longer Daisy Balfour."

Those words echoed endlessly in her mind as the figure approached, a smug smile playing on her lips. Penelope Balfour.

"Where did you disappear to, Daisy? You know Mom and I tried to find you," Penelope said with a fake pout, her eyes dancing with mischief. "But it's good that I ran into you here."

Daisy's face paled as Penelope's presence loomed over her. but now it stood before her, mocking her.

She hadn't expected to come in contact with them so soon .

"Dad was so upset when you left," Penelope continued with a smirk. "But don't worry, I made sure to show him the video you made for him. And as the good daughter, I was there to comfort him when he was heartbroken."

*The video.*

The same video that had shattered her entire existence. The one they had all orchestrated.