All Chapters of Married by Circumstances : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

5 Chapters

Chapter 1

Kate stared into the mirror, pulling her long, ginger hair into a tight ponytail. Her blue eyes, cold and piercing, glared back at her—a cruel reminder of her father. She hated those eyes. But today wasn’t about her eyes or her father. Today was about survival.The company was sacking every single employee in her department due to a financial setback, including her. She needed to make an impression, to convince the committee that she couldn't be replaced. She smoothed down her blue satin blouse, paired neatly with black palazzo pants, and stepped into her black stilettos, feeling their familiar pinch.The Los Angeles streets were already swarming with people, as she made her way to the crowded bus stop. She compressed herself into the packed bus, her body crushed between strangers. This was one of the downsides of living in a tourist-congested city—there was never enough room for the residents. As soon as the bus doors hissed open at her stop, she quickly moved out and mad

Chapter 2

Married by Circumstances /Vhickie Reed

“Miss Kate, your mom can’t keep relying on these drugs forever,” Dr. James said, his tone serious. “She will eventually need to undergo surgery.”Kate felt her heart plummet. “So, without the surgery… she can’t live. Is that what you’re saying?”Precisely,” Dr. James replied. “She can survive without it for now, but she won’t remember most things. The drugs are keeping the tumor at bay, but it’s extremely dangerous. The tumor is eating deeper into her hindbrain, and within weeks, she’ll start experiencing memory loss.Based on the recent scan, she’s due for another one soon.”As the doctor spoke, his words blurred together. Kate broke down, tears streaming down her face, her body shaking with silent sobs.“Miss Kate, there’s no need to cry,” Dr. James tried to console her. “If we perform the surgery soon, she has a chance.”But where am I supposed to get the money for her surgery?” Kate choked out. “I just lost my job. I can’t lose her too…”The doctor’s face softened as realizati

Chapter 3

Married by Circumstances /Vhickie Reed

”Startled, Kate looked up, her eyes still red and puffy. “Who the hell are you, and how is that your concern?” she shot back, her tone defensive. She didn’t have the strength for strangers pretending to care. Sebastian was taken aback by her bluntness. People usually recognized him—either for his looks, his wealth, or his reputation. But this girl seemed genuinely ignorant.“You don’t know who I am?” he asked, expressing disapproval, more amused than offended.“Are you some kind of celebrity I’m supposed to know?” Kate responded, her irritation flared up. Distraction wasn't what she was looking for. He leaned back in his seat with a faint sigh. “Not exactly, but I am someone who can help you.”Kate’s brows furrowed. “Help me? With what?”Sebastian’s expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her uneasy. “I have a job offer for you. Something… unconventional.”Kate felt a chill run down her spine. She’d overheard a strange conversation

Chapter 4

Married by Circumstances /Vhickie Reed

“Sebastian... so what you're trying to tell me right now is that you’re engaged?” His father wheezed through the oxygen mask, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.“Yeah, Dad,” Sebastian replied, his voice steady but his jaw clenched. “I’ve been dating her for a while now. I met her through Jay, and I love her.”His father’s eyes widened slightly, a weak chuckle escaping him. “You love a girl you met through Jay... and she’s not after your money? She’s not another Susan?”The moment his father mentioned Susan’s name, Sebastian's shoulders tensed. His expression hardened, a dark shadow crossing his face. The name was like a knife twisting in his gut. “She is not Susan,” he said coldly, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. “And she never will be. She didn’t even know who I was. She was just being herself.”“You must love this girl,” his father rasped, his eyes gleaming with something close to disbelief. “You’re even defending her.”If only he knew the truth, Sebastian thought,

Chapter 5

Married by Circumstances /Vhickie Reed

Sebastian hastily exited the hospital lobby, moving with deliberate and light steps to track down Kate using the bodyguard's updates. Beneath his composed demeanor was simmering frustration. He murmured to himself, "She's about to start a scandal, and we're not even married yet."He rang the doorbell as soon as he got to the house. Kate opened it, startled and widened-eyed."Hello, how are you here? Wait, why and how?" Kate stumbled, confused and scared in her voice."Who's there at the door?" Jasmine came running out of the house and called out. “Kate quickly whispered, "Nobody," but it was already too late. Jasmine was there already."Are you familiar with him?" With suspicious brow furrows, Jasmine inquired. Sebastian's mouth formed a chilly, menacing smile. "Exactly, are you familiar with me?" he asked in jest. Kate blurted out, her voice unsteady and her eyes blazing with dread. "He's a... friend.”Nonsense," Sebastian deftly corrected. Hi there, I'm her fiancé. Nice to