That one word echoed in my head like a sharp slap I didn’t see coming.
I stared at him, wide–eyed, stunned, as his hand gently held mine in front of a man i assumed was his grandfather.
“Grandfather, she is my wife,” the man said again, more confidently this time, as if trying to make the lie real.
My throat tightened. What was happening?
How was I suddenly someone’s wife? I barely knew this man. Not even his name. Just moments ago, I was at peace, breathing air that didn’t smell like betrayal–and now I was in a flash marriage I didn’t even agree to?
Before I could step back or say a word, the old man’s face lit up with joy. His eyes sparkled as he reached out and pulled me into a surprisingly strong hug.
“Welcome to the family, my dear!” he said warmly. “Finally! Sebastian, you didn’t tell me she was this lovely.”
She was indeed right. Sebastian! The rival of Colton! What a small world, and what is he doing here in Germany?
I blinked over his shoulder, still frozen, trying to catch Sebastian’s gaze–and when I did, I saw it. That soft, pleading look.
Help me. Please. Just go with it.
I didn’t know this man. But something about his expression made me hesitate.
Maybe it was because I knew what desperation looked like. I had worn it myself once- standing in front of a man who promised me forever and gave me ruin instead.
So I nodded slowly and forced a smile.
“Thank you, Grandfather,” I said, the words foreign on my tongue. “Sorry I haven’t been around. Things have been… hectic.”
“Hectic?” The man chuckled. “So many questions! When did you marry? Why weren’t we invited? Have you had a honeymoon? What about the photos? Why so secretive?”
I turned to Sebastian. Your lie, your turn to clean it up.
Sebastian slipped his hand around my waist and gave the most charming, practiced grin I’d ever seen. “We had a small ceremony,” he said smoothly. “Private. No press. No fuss. You
know how I am.”
“Too much privacy is suspicious,” the grandfather muttered but waved it off. “Fine, fine. A wedding’s a wedding. What matters now is that you’ve settled down. Finally! And you know what I said–if you have a wife, the only thing left is an heir, and then everything I own will be yours.”
My heart jumped. An heir?
Sebastian cleared his throat, but thankfully the old man’s assistant came to wheel him away for his check–up.
“Don’t think you’re off the hook,” the grandfather called as he left. “I expect dinner this weekend–with the entire family. I want to know everything about my granddaughter–in–law!”
Once we were alone, I stepped out of Sebastian’s arm and turned to him, eyes narrowed. “I didn’t know I had a husband.”
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, about that…”
“You want to explain?”
“I’m Sebastian Rhys,” he said, extending a hand like we were just meeting–which, in a way,
we were.
“Ellie,” I said, ignoring his hand.
He sighed. “Look, I wasn’t expecting you to run into us. My grandfather is… old–school. He thinks I need to settle down, get married, have kids, take over the company. That kind of legacy stuff. I’ve dodged five blind dates and three arranged meetings this month alone. So today, when I saw you…” he shrugged. “I panicked. You looked perfect. Real.”
My jaw dropped. “So you just decided to name me your
“It worked,” he said unapologetically. “For now.”
wife?
I crossed my arms. “What happens when the lie catches up?”
“It won’t. I’ll explain it all eventually. I just needed this one moment. One lie. You don’t have to see him again.”
“And the heir thing?”
“I’ll fake something,” he muttered. “What matters is that he saw me with a wife. It buys me time. And I’ll compensate you, of course. Name your price.”
I stared at him like he’d just offered me a bribe to sell my soul.
“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t want your money.”
He blinked. “Then why did you go along with it?”
“I’ve been through worse lies,” I said softly. “And I know what it feels like to be forced to play a role for someone else. So… this one time, I helped. But next time? Don’t use me like
that.”
Sebastian looked at me, surprised. “You’re… not like the others.”
“No,” I said. “I’m not.”
And then I turned around and walked back to my brother’s room.
When I stepped in, my heart nearly stopped.
The bed was upright. The machines were being adjusted. And the doctor stood beside him, gently removing the oxygen tubes.
“Is he-?”
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“No,” I said. “I’m not.
And then I turned around and walked back to my brother’s room.
When I stepped in, my heart nearly stopped.
The bed was upright. The machines were being adjusted. And the doctor stood beside him, gently removing the oxygen tubes.
“Is he-?”
Lucas turned slowly, his eyes fluttering open.
“Ellie?” he rasped, voice dry and weak.
Tears welled in my eyes as I ran to him, gripping his hand. “Lucas–oh my God, you’re awake.”
He gave me the faintest smile. “You… came back.”
I pressed my forehead to his hand and cried.
“I’m here
I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
