Married to the Secret Stanger

Joanne got up the next morning walked down stairs, and went to the dining room but did not see Alexander, she didn't think much of it cos she haven't seen him for days now.

Joanne ate quietly,thinking were Alexander could be. She walked out of the house she found keleb and Ken waiting for her.

She got in the car and told them to take her to the hospital.

Joanne walked into the hospital, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as she made her way toward her mother's room.

Ever since she received the call about the anonymous payment, she had been restless. She couldn't stop thinking about who could have done it, but more than that, she wanted to check on her mother.

She pushed open the door, expecting to find her mother resting.

But what she saw made her freeze in place.

Sitting casually by the hospital bed, chatting with her mother, was none other than Alexander King.

Her cold, distant husband.

Her mother was smiling warmly at him, completely at ease as if they had known each other for years.

"Joanne, sweetheart, you're here!" her mother, Linda, beamed. "Come in, come in! Your husband and I were just having a wonderful conversation."

Husband?

Joanne's breath caught in her throat. What was going on?

She turned to Alexander, who looked completely unbothered, sitting with his hands folded elegantly in his lap. He met her gaze with a knowing smirk, as if he had expected her reaction.

"What… what are you doing here?" Joanne stammered.

Alexander leaned back slightly. "Visiting my mother-in-law, of course."

Joanne's heart pounded.

Linda chuckled, oblivious to the tension in the room. "Oh, Joanne, why didn't you tell me you married such a wonderful man? Alexander has been keeping me company, and he's already told me so much about your life together."

Joanne's stomach dropped.

Her life together with him?

Her contract husband had introduced himself to her mother… as her real husband?

She clenched her fists, barely keeping her composure. "Can I speak to you outside, Alexander?"

Alexander gave her an amused glance before following her. "Of course, dear wife."

—

The moment the door shut behind them, Joanne spun around, glaring at him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, keeping her voice low.

Alexander remained calm. "Visiting my mother-in-law. That's not a crime, is it?"

Joanne scowled. "Don't play games with me. Why did you introduce yourself as my husband?"

He arched a brow. "Because I am your husband. Isn't that what you wanted when you signed the contract?"

Her fingers twitched. "You know what I mean! This is supposed to be a secret!"

Alexander wheeled his chair closer, his towering presence making her nervous.

"Your mother deserved to know that she's not alone," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "Do you really think she would have rested easy if she believed you were struggling on your own?"

Joanne swallowed hard.

Damn him.

Why did he always have a way of twisting things so that she had no comeback?

She crossed her arms, refusing to back down. "And what else did you tell her?"

"Only what she needed to hear." His smirk deepened. "That we're happily married, that you don't have to worry about anything anymore… and that she should focus on recovering while I take care of her daughter."

Joanne's heart skipped a beat.

He spoke so casually, but his words carried a weight she couldn't ignore.

She took a shaky breath, trying to keep control of her emotions. "You didn't have to do this."

Alexander's eyes darkened slightly. "Yes, I did."

For a moment, they just stared at each other.

The air between them was heavy—filled with something unnamed, something unspoken.

Joanne didn't know what to say.

She should have been angry. But instead, a strange warmth bloomed in her chest, one that she wasn't ready to acknowledge.

Alexander suddenly glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting to attend. Make sure your mother rests properly."

With that, he turned and Frederick wheeled him away, leaving Joanne standing there, utterly confused.

Her mother thought Alexander was the perfect husband.

But Joanne knew better.

Didn't she?