His Wife, Her Stranger
Chapter 5
The car screeched to a halt, and Michael stepped out, moving quickly through the mansion. He pushed the door open and strode into the room with a presence that unsettled his mother and his pregnant wife. Maria furrowed her brows, rising from the couch, concern written across her face.
“Is everything okay? You need to see yourself right now,” she asked, briefly glancing at his mistress before returning her gaze to him.
He said nothing, pacing back and forth, lost in thought, trying to figure out the next step. Impatience flashed in Maria’s eyes as she grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet her gaze.
“What is going on? Talk to me,” she demanded, shaking him until he broke free, panting. Once he steadied himself, he spoke.
“You remember the corporate trust multimillion-dollar development funds, the one Father was fighting for before he died?” he asked, watching her reaction.
Her eyes widened in anticipation. “It’s about to be released,” he continued.
“Released? I thought your father failed to secure it.”
“He did. But the case was reopened, and his request was reconsidered. The rights will be passed down to him.”
“You don’t mean it!” Maria exclaimed, bursting into excitement. His mistress smiled eagerly, sharing in the celebration. Michael’s confusion grew; he couldn’t understand why they were rejoicing when the project wasn’t secured yet.
There was a condition, and it required one person’s signature—Charlotte’s.
“Mother, we have a problem,” he said. The room went silent as their eyes met, confusion spreading. “We need her signature. She’s the choke point; without it, the board can’t lift the freeze.”
Maria laughed in disbelief. Her mind immediately connected the dots. Charlotte—the woman they had discarded and underestimated—was now essential. How she had gotten involved in the project was beyond comprehension. All her father had done was serve as their driver; he had no office experience.
“Did you say we require her signature?” Maria asked sharply. “How do we get it when she’s no longer with you? Who knows, she’s probably dead somewhere.”
“Dead? She’s at the hospital. She was attacked last night,” Michael corrected.
“She was attacked?” the mistress repeated. He nodded.
“This is a big mess. The signature on the divorce papers is fake. How do we get her real signature?” Maria paused, then turned to him, calculating. “If she agrees to sign the divorce papers, we…”
She trailed off, fixing her gaze on him.
“Did you give her the papers already?”
“No, I didn’t. Why?” He looked perplexed.
“Perfect. We can get her back with it. She hasn’t signed yet; legally, she’s still your wife.”
“Does that make sense? After how we treated her? She even had an accident. How can she forget that easily?”
Maria laughed again, hard and sharp, until she began to choke. He knew her well enough to recognize that she was playing a game, a calculated move, and there was more he needed to understand.
“Which hospital is she admitted to? As her family, we should visit her,” she said, turning toward the stairs. Michael watched her leave, mouth agape, everything moving too fast. He couldn’t imagine facing Charlotte now.
“What are you waiting for? Don’t you trust her?” his mistress snapped, pulling him from his thoughts.
“We can’t bring her back into this house. I can’t allow her to take your place again.”
She sighed, holding his hands. “I know how much you love me, but do you realize that’s a multi-billion-dollar project? It can’t be delayed.” He nodded, watching her, feeling the weight of it all.
“Get ready,” she said. “I’ll be home, waiting for you to return.”
An hour later, they arrived at the hospital where Charlotte had been admitted. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they stepped inside; some people openly pointed at the family.
Michael walked ahead, with his mother and sister trailing, each draped in unmistakable luxury.
They were one of New York’s richest families, ranked third in the business world, and with the corporate trust funds, their influence would only grow.
“We’re here to see Mrs. Charlotte,” Molly instructed, her tone clipped. The nurse looked at her nervously.
“Sorry… do you mean Ms. Charlotte Fernandez?” the nurse asked, voice trembling under Molly’s gaze.
“Whatever. She’s the one,” Molly snapped, earning a sharp look from Maria.
They were here to appear kind, to influence the narrative, not out of genuine concern. The recent news of her divorce made Charlotte a public topic, and their presence only added fuel to the gossip.
“Yes, please. Her room is on the first floor, but I don’t think her guardian—” the nurse began.
Maria’s glare silenced her. Without another word, they strode down the corridor. At the room, they pushed the door open and entered, commanding attention.
Fernandez, lying on the bed, lifted his head, hatred surging as he met their faces. He glanced from one to another, his gaze filled with pure contempt.
Michael and Maria looked embarrassed, but Molly remained indifferent, only following because she had been instructed.
“What are you bunch of losers doing here?” Fernandez barked, venom lacing his words.
“You’re the loser here,” Molly shot back, only to be smacked on the head by Maria.
“Don’t talk back. Watch your speech,” Maria warned.
Enraged, Molly stormed out.
“I’m sorry about her attitude. You know how she can be,” Michael said, uneasy. Fernandez stood, glaring, and strode to the door.
“I know. Now leave. We don’t need you here.”
“We can settle this, Mr. Fernandez. Michael was wrong; that’s why I’m here, to make things right.”
“Michael was wrong?” Fernandez echoed, disbelief heavy in his voice. “You know exactly what he did and still act as if you didn’t support him?”
“I would never support such cruelty. She’s a sweet girl. She didn’t deserve any of this.”
“Maria, enough. Leave before I call security.” Fernandez’s heart ached at the sight of them, at the audacity and the cruelty.
“She’s still his wife, Fernandez. You can’t separate them while they’re married,” Maria pressed, trying to exploit the legal loophole they believed would force his hand.
A knock sounded at the door, and the doctor entered briskly.
“Mr. Fernandez, what’s all the noise about?”
“I’m sorry, Doctor. We have unwanted visitors. I was trying to send them away.”
Just then, the machine beside Charlotte beeped sharply, drawing everyone’s attention.
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