Chapter 334: Engaged To A Random Stranger

Kayla's POV

Without any warning, he dropped to one knee right there in the middle of the busy mall walkway.

My mouth fell open in shock.

He reached into the inside pocket of his black leather jacket and pulled out a small black velvet box.

When he flipped it open, a huge diamond ring sparkled under the bright mall lights like it had its own spotlight.

The stone was massive…way too big and flashy for a normal person to carry around casually. It caught every reflection and practically screamed money.

I stared down at him, amazement and total confusion fighting for space in my head.

“Have you lost your mind?” I whispered, my voice barely carrying over the noise of shoppers around us.

What the heck is happening? He just happens to be walking around with a ring in his pocket?

Is this something he's done a couple of times? How did he even come up with that?!

He looked up at me with a cocky, confident grin that made the whole situation ten times worse.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to lose someone who was stalking you? What better way than for the guy to watch a dangerous-looking man propose to you right in the middle of the mall walkway? Trust me, sweetheart, this will make him think twice.”

I felt heat rush to my face. This was insane. Could be effective…just still insane.

“Just get up,” I hissed through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice low. “Forget about everything. I’m sorry I ran into you like that, it wasn't intentional. This is absolutely crazy—”

But he didn’t listen. Instead, he raised his voice so it carried across the entire area.

“Sweetheart,” he announced loudly…obviously sweetheart because he doesn't know my name. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one for me. Remember that night under the stars when you told me you’d never love anyone else? The way you laughed when I burned the toast that morning? The weekend we spent in that tiny beach town where you said yes to forever and danced with me on the sand? Baby, I can’t wait another day. Will you marry me?”

Weekend in a tiny beach town? A night under the Stars? Is he a fucking nutjob?!

None of that had ever happened! Not the stars, not the burnt toast, not the beach dancing. He was spinning an entire fake love story on the spot, and he was doing it with zero shame.

Maybe he's an actor and I had casually walked into a movie set.

People started slowing down. Phones came out. A small crowd began to gather, murmuring excitedly.

Someone was already recording on their phone. Near the food court, a group of street musicians who had been playing acoustic covers suddenly switched songs and launched into a loud, upbeat version of Bruno Mars’ ‘Marry You.’

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

How did my life go from desperately trying to save my son from his deadbeat father to standing in a public mall, living out some viral proposal nightmare while strangers cheered me on?

I was supposed to be buying groceries to cook for Holly, not fighting for my dignity in front of half the city.

“Get up right now,” I whispered desperately, forcing a tight smile for the growing audience.

He ignored me completely, still on one knee, looking up like I was the center of his universe. The crowd grew louder. “Say yes!” “He’s so romantic!” “Girl, take that ring!” “He's so dreamy.”

I don't even know this man!

Before I could stop him, he reached for my left hand, slid the heavy diamond ring onto my finger…it fit perfectly, which somehow made everything even more ridiculous…and the entire walkway erupted in cheers and applause.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

I tried to tell him no with my eyes…wide, pleading, and a little murderous…but he just smiled, placed a firm hand on my lower back, and pulled me flush against his hard chest.

“We gotta give the crowd what they want, baby,” he muttered. Then he kissed me again, right there in front of everyone. Deep, convincing, and way too good for something that was supposed to be fake.

Since Caleb, I had hated letting any man close.

I hadn’t dated. Hadn’t let anyone in. Hadn’t felt a single spark or allowed any feelings.

Caleb was my first and last.

And now, after all these years of keeping my guard up, I had somehow skipped every normal step and ended up “engaged” to a complete stranger in the middle of a mall?

Why was my life always moving in this chaotic, ridiculous rhythm? This was Holly’s pace, not mine. I was the careful one, the planner, the one who didn’t do spontaneous crazy shit.

He finally pulled away, waved at the cheering crowd with a charming grin like he’d just won an award, and thanked them all loudly. “Thank you, everyone! She said yes! We are getting married soon!”

Then he grabbed my hand and started pulling me away from the mob before I could protest or explain anything.

The second we ducked into a quiet, hidden corner behind a large pillar near the emergency exit, away from the cameras and curious eyes, I stomped hard on his foot with all my strength.

He didn’t even flinch. The man just looked down at me with that same amused smirk, like my anger was cute.

I went full mama bear mode, jabbing a finger into his chest. “Who the hell do you think you are? I don’t know you, you don’t know me, and you just pulled that reckless, selfish stunt in front of half the mall! What if the stalker saw that? What if this makes everything worse?”

He scoffed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Selfish? I did that for you. As a matter of fact, you should be responsible for me now and thank me.”

“Thank you?” I repeated, my voice rising in disbelief.

“You’re welcome,” he said smoothly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I groaned, rubbing my temples hard, but he cleared his throat like he was about to drop a presidential speech.

“And what's my wife's name, if I may ask?” He asked, and I swear I saw his ears going red like some shy kid.

What is wrong with people?!

“My name is Kayla, and I'm not your wife!” I almost screamed and exhaled like I was trying to calm my racing heart.

“You know what? I don’t have time for this right now. My baby daddy is watching me, my son’s future is on the line, and I—”

A sharp female voice suddenly drifted in from somewhere nearby, cutting me off.

“Nathan? Nathan?! Baby?! Where are you?”

He turned to me fast, his expression shifting to something more urgent. “I did you a favor. Now it’s time for you to repay me.”

I opened my mouth to ask what the hell he was talking about, but he wrapped a strong arm around my waist and pulled me back out into the open area.

We came face to face with a stunning blonde woman. Tall, perfectly styled hair, expensive designer clothes, and a face that could stop traffic. Her eyes flashed with pure murder the moment she saw us standing so close together, his arm still around me.

“Nathan, what the hell is going on? I was looking for you everywhere!” she snapped, voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Who the hell is this tramp?”

‘Oh, so his name is Nathan,’ I thought. Then the insult hit me like a slap.

“Excuse me, auntie,” I said, stepping forward with fire in my veins, “who the hell did you just call a tramp?”

The blonde’s perfectly plucked eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me? Who are you calling auntie, you worthless slut?”

That was all it took. I’d had a horrible day…scared for Caden and myself, exhausted from running and hiding, stressed about money and lawyers.

But the second someone thought they could bully or insult me, the old vengeful Kay Kay came roaring out. Holly didn’t call me that for nothing.

I rained insults down on her without taking a breath…mixing sharp English with every colorful Chilean street insult I’d learned over the years.

I called out her fake lashes, her desperate energy, her cheap attitude wrapped in designer clothes, and threw in a few choice words that made even Nathan take a small step back.

I let her have it, words flying out like bullets.

“Oh, honey, look at you…dressed like you’re trying to win Miss Plastic Surgery 2026 but still looking like a budget Barbie that got left in the sun too long. Those lashes are screaming ‘I paid extra for the drama’ while your personality screams ‘I peaked in high school and have been chasing validation ever since.’ And that voice? Sounds like you’ve been gargling with jealousy and cheap champagne. Calling me a tramp? Sweetie, the only thing trampy here is the way you’re throwing yourself at a man who clearly doesn’t want you. Go fix your extensions and your attitude before you come for me again, because I will drag you so hard your fake tan will peel off.”

The blonde flinched hard, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Nathan took another step back, eyebrows raised in surprise and admiration.

Finally, she sputtered, red-faced, “How dare you talk to me like that?! Who the hell are you?”

I raised my left hand high, letting the massive diamond ring catch the light for her to see. “Apparently I’m Nathan's wife. So who's the slut now?”

Without waiting for her response, I grabbed Nathan’s arm tightly and started pulling him away. “Let’s go, husband.”

Nathan flashed a quick, amused grin and followed without missing a beat.

“Yes, ma’am.”