[Volume 1] Chapter 11- Your Choice.

"How could I?" Kiera answered hastily, her voice trembling as she locked eyes with Edward.

The thought of leaving before even seeing her child again tore at her heart. The memory of that child, who had brought light into her life, fueled her resolve.

She didn't care if Edward wanted to love her or not. This time, she would live for her child, the child who had been her beacon.

Edward's eyes widened with surprise and a touch of pain. He took a step forward, his hand reaching out to grasp hers.

But before he could touch her, Kiera stepped back, her eyes never leaving his. Her gaze was fierce, unwavering, filled with a strength she hadn't shown before.

"How could I?" she repeated, her voice steadier now, imbued with quiet power.

"But I will not enter this house. Not until you and Rihana are divorced. Not until you marry me with the respect and love I deserve. Not until you accept me as your wife in front of the world."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her demands.

She watched as Edward's expression shifted from surprise to a mix of guilt and determination. He lowered his hand, his fingers curling into a fist at his side.

Kiera's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing her resolve. She would honor the memory of her child and fight for her dignity, for the love and respect she deserved.

Edward's frustration was palpable. "But I have already filed for divorce, and Rihana has even agreed to it. So why are you acting like this?" His tone was filled with urgency and confusion.

Kiera's expression hardened as she looked at him. "You filed for divorce, but," she turned her head to glance at Rihana, "your ex-wife still lives here." She turned back to Edward, her eyes piercing into his.

The entire family was stunned by her words. Kiera had always treated people with kindness and love, no matter who they were. For Kiera, Rihana had been more than a friend; they were like sisters.

But now, the same Kiera was speaking with such cold determination.

Edward's frustration turned into a mixture of guilt and helplessness.

"Kiera, you know it's complicated," he said, his voice softening, almost pleading. "I'm trying to make things right."

Kiera's eyes softened slightly, but her resolve remained.

"It's not just about the divorce papers, Edward. It's about actions, about showing me that I matter, that our relationship matters. I need to know that you are committed to us, to our future. And that starts with Rihana leaving this house."

Edward took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging under the weight of her words. He looked at Rihana, then back at Kiera, the conflict evident in his eyes.

"I understand," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I understand what you want," he said, his voice steady and serious. "But I will not insult my seven-year-old friendship due to your persistence. Rihana is my friend, and she has done too many favors for us. I can't make her sad just because of your immature argument."

Kiera felt as though the ground had been pulled from beneath her feet.

His words hit her like a physical blow, and she momentarily staggered, her heart breaking at his harsh judgment.

Immature? Her eyes welled with tears, but she quickly blinked them away, refusing to let him see how deeply he had wounded her.

She took a shaky breath, her voice trembling with the effort to remain composed.

"Immature? You think this is about being immature?" She took a step forward, her eyes never leaving his.

"Edward, this isn't about petty jealousy or insecurity. This is about respect and boundaries. It's about the life we are trying to build together."

Edward's frustration was palpable. "You don't understand, Kiera. Rihana has been there for me through thick and thin. I can't just push her out of my life because you feel insecure."

The tears Kiera had been holding back spilled over, but she didn't let them weaken her resolve.

"This is not insecurity, Edward. It's about feeling like I matter in this relationship. It's about feeling like our relationship matters to you."

Edward's jaw tightened, his expression a mix of frustration and guilt.

"I don't want to hurt you, Kiera. But I can't just abandon Rihana."

Kiera's heart ached at his words, but she stood her ground.

"I'm not asking you to abandon her. I'm asking you to prioritize us. To show me that our relationship is worth fighting for."

Edward's eyes softened slightly, the realization of her words sinking in. He looked at Kiera, truly seeing the pain and determination in her eyes.

"I don't want to lose you, Kiera," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't want to hurt Rihana either."

Kiera heard his words and felt something cold settle inside her, spreading through her chest and freezing her heart.

Her eyes hardened, and she met his gaze with a serious expression, her voice dropping to an icy tone. "Okay."

Edward, hearing her, raised his head, relief washing over him. He believed his Kiera would understand him. "I kno—" But before he could finish, he saw the coldness in her eyes, a look that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Okay then, congratulations, Mr. Edward," she said, her tone detached and chilling. She turned on her heel and started walking towards the door, her movements stiff and deliberate, each step echoing her resolve.

Panic surged through Edward. He rushed behind her, his footsteps quick and desperate. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path, his eyes wide with fear. "Wait, what do you mean—"

Before he could finish, Kiera cut him off, her voice steady and unyielding.

"Edward, we cannot have everything we wish for. If you want me to come back to this house, it will only happen when Rihana is out. Otherwise, I will not enter this house ever again in my life."

Edward's heart pounded in his chest, her words hitting him like a physical blow. He stood there, frozen, his mind reeling with disbelief.

He watched helplessly as Kiera brushed past him, her steps resolute and final.

"Are you leaving me?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper, filled with disbelief and a growing sense of dread. His eyes followed her, his world crumbling around him.

Kiera stopped but didn't turn around. Her voice was firm, devoid of the warmth it once held.

"I am not leaving. I am giving you choices, and everything else is up to you." With that, she walked out, the door closing behind her with a finality that echoed in the silence.

Edward stood in the empty hallway, the echo of the closing door reverberating through the stillness. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, his heart caught in a painful grip of indecision.

Kiera's cold and determined words played over and over in his mind, each repetition cutting deeper, leaving him standing there, torn between the love he had for her and the loyalty he felt towards Rihana.

Outside, Kiera took a deep breath, the cool air doing little to soothe the turmoil within her..