Reckless Marriage Unyielding Love

1.Chapter 1 Exposed

January in Xosa had a bite to it, a chill that could cut through layers. Mikayla Salvatore breezed out of the mall, her white woolen coat bundled tight, leaving only her radiant face on display. She clutched her latest finds and slid into a private car. Settling into the warmth, her gaze fell on the shopping bags beside her, a joyful smile spreading across her face.

"Ms. Salvatore, Mr. Lindstrom is truly lucky to marry you!" Alfred, the driver, remarked with a warm smile.

"Oh, knock it off, Alfred," Mikayla chided, her face blushing slightly.

Her slender fingers lightly traced the texture of the black sweater in one of the bags, and an indescribable happiness filled her heart. The big day was almost upon them; in just three days, she and Jaxon Lindstrom would be exchanging vows.

With the countdown on, shopping had become her second occupation, always with her bestie in tow. Yet, she hadn't grabbed a thing for herself-it was all about what he would like.

Lost in thought, Mikayla barely noticed that Alfred pulled up in front of a small mansion and swung open her door. Carrying her purchases, Mikayla walked forward briskly. As she reached the door of the room, she blew on her hands for warmth and pushed the door open without a second thought.

She walked in on a shocking scene that stopped her dead in her tracks-two figures entangled on the bed, their passionate moans filling the room.

Suddenly aware of the door swinging open, their fervent activity came to a halt. Jaxon, the adoring and flawless fiancé in Mikayla's, looked up at her, his face flushed with desire, as if he couldn't quite grasp what was happening.

Yet, it was clear his yearning wasn't for Mikayla. Beneath him was a beautiful woman, clearly wanting more, pulling him closer with soft whimpers. When she spotted Mikayla, she grabbed a blanket in a panic to cover herself. "Mikayla," she said in a weak voice, so different from the moans just a moment ago.

"Mikayla..." Jaxon hastily grabbed some clothes to cover his lower body. He stepped toward her and reached out, but she dodged away.

Years of good upbringing kicked in, and Mikayla fought to steady the storm inside her-no outbursts, no tears. She held on to the shopping bag, as if seeking some kind of anchor, backing up into the living

room.

Five minutes later, the once-bare couple sat fully dressed, squirming across from Mikayla.

"Mikayla, I will end things with Jaxon!" declared Winona Salvatore, Mikayla's cousin, barely a month younger than her.

Mikayla skipped right past Winona, her eyes drilling into Jaxon, who hung his head in silence, etched with shame.

Seeing that Mikayla was unfazed, Winona stood up, clutching her abdomen miserably. "I won't keep the baby. It won't hold up your wedding, I swear! Please, don't blame Jaxon!" she sobbed. At that, Jaxon's head shot up, his eyes just meeting Mikayla's gaze.

Right then, Mikayla felt like she could actually hear the sound of his promises crashing into pieces. She couldn't believe it-this was the same man who'd treated her like gold and proposed to her in front of everyone, saying, "Mikayla, in this life, I only want to marry you, love only you, cherish only you!" And yet, here he was, caught with her own cousin, and they were expecting a baby.

"I have zero interest in a second-hand man," Mikayla said, her voice low and edged with sarcasm. But inside, pain was gnawing at her heart.

"Mikayla!" Jaxon looked at her in disbelief, his mind struggling to reconcile the bitter words with the poised and elegant woman he remembered.

"I told you once, loyalty is everything to me in love. You've broken that, so we're done," Mikayla said with finality.

"But... our wedding's just three days away." Jaxon protested.

Mikayla gave a cold, hollow laugh. "What do you want me to do? Ignore your little side romance as if it never happened? Should I keep playing the loving wife while she sneaks around as the other woman?" Mikayla's words hung heavy in the air as she locked eyes with Winona. Gone was the weakness from Winona's face, now all sharp edges and cold stares.

Mikayla brushed off Winona's venomous eyes, and looked back at Jaxon who stood there, silent as a statue. The good times they had shared flashed through her mind, stark against the coldness of the present, making her too pain to feel.

"Mikayla!" Jaxon reached out to grab her hand, but she stood, turned, and walked away without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Winona grabbed Jaxon's hand and led him back into the room. "Jaxon, give her some time to calm down." As she turned around, a smug smile appeared on her lips.

Mikayla stumbled on her way out. She had put her soul into making everything in this place flawless, worrying that the slightest imperfection would reflect on their marriage. But from this moment on, she would never set foot here again. It was the dead of winter, but she didn't feel the cold at all her heart was icy enough.

Just as she stepped out of the gate, two cars approached her from different directions. Instead of slowing down, they sped up.

A loud crash rang out.

Inside the mansion, the bedroom was heated again. Jaxon shook off his earlier defeat and, with mixed reluctance and eagerness, climbed back onto the red. The turmoil outside seemed to be a world away, unheard and unnoticed.