Fake marriage, real feelings

One drunken night, Miles Hollingsworth agreed to my confession.

Three days later, he abruptly followed the woman of his dreams—Lilah Beckett—abroad. He sent me nothing but a single voice note. "I’m sorry, Theresa Noble. You deserve someone better."

And just like that, I was dumped. I became the laughingstock of his entire social circle.

Two years later, he returned.

At his welcome-back party, I sat in silence, listening to the people around me endlessly praise how perfect the two of them looked together. They spoke loudly, clearly intending for me to overhear.

Miles had his arm around the waist of the woman beside him. When he finally noticed me, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. "Theresa, you aren’t still holding a grudge, are you?"

He offered an apologetic smile. "Two years ago, I was young and reckless. I agreed to your proposal without thinking it through. Don’t take it to heart. We can still be friends, right?"

He made it sound so graceful. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought I was some obsessive stalker who wouldn't let go.

I didn’t answer. Right then, the phone in my pocket began to ring. Because the speaker was faint, I had a habit of putting calls on speakerphone. The moment I pressed 'accept,' a deep, warm voice resonated throughout the private room.

"Wife, where are you? I’m coming to pick you up."

The room fell into a dead silence for several seconds.

Someone whispered, "Wow, that voice sounds incredible."

Before they could finish, the person next to them nudged them with an elbow.

Lilah looked up and caught my eye. "That voice... it sounds very familiar."

At her words, every gaze in the room shifted toward her, then back to me. Lilah let out a disbelieving laugh. "The man on the phone with you... Isn't that the eldest heir of the Abbott Group?"

The atmosphere instantly froze. Miles knit his brows.

Over the line, Trystan Abbott heard her. He replied tonelessly, "It’s me."

"..."

"Good grief, is that the Abbott Group I'm thinking of?" someone murmured.

I remained calm, recited the address, and hung up.

Miles stared at me, his tone heavy with skepticism. "You’re married?"

"That’s right." I looked up at him, replying while discreetly sending a digital red envelope to the man on the other end under the table.

I took a sip of wine and smiled. "My husband is on his way. I won't interrupt your fun any longer. Please excuse me."

As I stood up, Miles called out to me. When I turned back, I saw his handsome face cloud over with a dark shadow. He said coldly, "Marrying young leads to regret. Isn't that what you used to say?"

He was clearly losing his composure, but Lilah caught his arm, leaning in to whisper something in his ear.

I didn't care. I simply left him with one final remark. "People change."

Then, I walked out.

To be honest, I couldn't understand Miles’s thought process. Logically speaking, he was the one who left two years ago without a word, leaving me to be a punchline for months. Where did he get the nerve to interrogate me now?

Hmph.

As I exited the restaurant, a cold wind carrying a drizzle slapped my face. I pulled my hood up. Looking down at my phone, I saw that the red envelope I’d just sent had been claimed instantly. I suddenly felt a pang of regret over the money.

Damn it. Trystan really was a predatory businessman.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, he arrived. A black Bentley maneuvered through the obstacles and pulled up directly in front of me. The driver’s side window rolled down slowly, and a hand came to rest on the frame. His fingers were long and elegant, his fair wrist adorned with a luxury watch.

I opened the door and climbed in.

The heater was on, and I was immediately enveloped in warmth and a pleasant, cool fragrance.

"You’re quite the actor. That 'wife' bit gave me goosebumps," I said, glancing at the man in the driver's seat.

"How was the effect?" Trystan asked, tilting his head.

Recalling the scene inside, I replied, "Fine. I’d say it was worth the money."

"I won't let you lose out."

"I didn't realize your voice was so recognizable. They knew who you were the moment you spoke."

"That’s only natural." His voice was nonchalant, clearly accustomed to the recognition.

I couldn't help but click my tongue.

"So, was he the reason you were so out of sorts two years ago?" Trystan asked with the tone of a detached observer, turning the steering wheel with one hand.

I grew pensive. "Something like that. But don't worry. As long as we are legally married, I won't do anything to betray you."

"..."

"You have quite the imagination. I wouldn't actually mind. You’re free to have an affair."

"..."

I leaned in closer, studying Trystan’s profile. "Do you want to break up with me?"

"We were never 'together' to begin with," he replied lazily. "We’re just temporarily bound by a little red book. We agreed two years ago that we’d divorce when the time was right."

I was silent for a moment. "I'm afraid now isn't a good time."

"Why?" The car stopped at a red light. Trystan shrugged. "Logically, since the man you’ve been pining for is back, shouldn't you want to be free of this bond more than anyone?"

I retorted without thinking, "Nonsense. What do you mean by 'pining for'? He humiliated me two years ago. Why would I ever get involved with him again?"

Trystan leaned toward me, about to say something, when a horn blared beside us. We both turned our heads.

A Land Rover had pulled up next to us. The window rolled down, and Miles glanced at us, his eyes lingering on Trystan’s face for a few seconds.

Finally, he looked at me. "What a coincidence."

I didn't bother responding.

From the passenger seat, Lilah gave me a dull look before shifting her gaze to Trystan. "It’s been a long time."

Did they know each other? I looked at Trystan with suspicion.

Trystan seemed to think it over seriously. "Have we met?"

"..."

Just as I thought.

Lilah froze for a second, then forced a smile. "Forgive me. I was mistaken."

Miles looked at me one more time. When I continued to ignore him, his fingers tapped the steering wheel with irritation. The light turned green. He rolled up his window and sped away.

I let out a sigh of relief. "How strange. By the way, how does Lilah know you?"

Trystan replied, "Who is Lilah?"

“...”