Chapter 8 Fake Husband

The hospital waiting room was eerily quiet. Only the occasional squeak of wheelchair wheels or the hurried footsteps of nurses echoed through the corridor. In the corner, Lena sat alone, clutching a small bag on her lap.

Her appearance today was far from her usual self. No oversized dresses, no strange makeup disguising her natural beauty.

Today, she was Selena - the dazzling, graceful, and... captivating version of herself.

The knee-length black dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her long hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, her lips were painted a tempting shade of maroon, and her gaze... was empty.

Her thoughts drifted back to the previous night.

Niel. That man had suddenly knocked on her bedroom door, covered in blood. The wound on his abdomen had been severe, and Lena could still vividly recall how her hands trembled as she helped him inside.

And this morning...

He was gone. When Lena woke up, there was no trace of him. No blood, no evidence that someone had nearly collapsed in her room the night before. As if it had all been a dream.

But it wasn't a dream-because when she had breakfast with Axel and her in-laws, he appeared.

Niel walked into the family dining room, calm and pristine as always, as if he hadn't been on the brink of death the night before. As if the wound on his abdomen had never existed. Stranger still, no one seemed suspicious.

"What's really going on with that man?" Lena muttered under her breath.

"Thinking about me while waiting? Being the center of Selena's attention isn't so bad," a low voice whispered in her ear, followed by a hand covering her eyes from behind.

Instinctively, Lena grabbed the wrist and shoved it away, spinning around in shock.

"Niel?" she hissed.

The man stood there casually, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit over a black shirt. No wounds, no trace of pain. His gaze was cold, unreadable.

One hand slid into his pocket. "Sharp reflexes. Been practicing martial arts all night?"

Lena stood, masking her unease with a stiff smile.

"Mr. Niel... w-what are you doing here?"

Careful, Lena. Don't slip. Right now, you are Selena, not Lena.

And Niel must never know you are his nephew's wife.

"Just getting an old wound checked," Niel answered casually.

"A wound?" Lena immediately regretted her question. "I mean... are you unwell?"

Niel's brow lifted, his lips curving faintly. "I didn't expect someone as graceful and beautiful as Miss Selena to be concerned about me."

Lena quickly averted her gaze. "That's not it... I was only being polite."

"Polite... but sweet," Niel murmured, leaning in slightly, his eyes studying her tense expression. "Selena... were you really thinking about me?"

Before Lena could respond, a cheerful voice echoed down the hall.

"Selena! You came earlier than I thought!"

Lena turned. A silver-haired woman with a wide smile approached. Her grandmother. Mrs Vero.

"Ah... Grandma," Lena replied, a little uneasy. Her grandmother often mistook her for Selena-her late twin. For the first time, Lena felt relieved by that misunderstanding.

"Oh no, Grandma... I just got here," Lena answered quickly, masking her relief with a flat tone.

Vero's gaze shifted to Niel, her eyes sparkling with interest. "My goodness... who is this handsome man? Your husband?"

Lena froze. "He's actually-"

"Yes, I'm her husband."

Niel's voice cut in smoothly, his arm sliding around Lena's waist, pulling her closer with a natural ease.

Lena's eyes widened. "Niel!" she hissed under her breath.

But Niel only smiled warmly at Mrs Vero.

"Oh really?" Vero chuckled. "Forgive me for not making it to your wedding. I'm too old to keep up with all the young folks' affairs, let alone weddings."

"My name is Niel," he said politely, releasing Lena to extend his hand.

Mrs. Vero took it with a light laugh. "So nice to meet you, Niel. You're certainly dashing."

"And you are remarkably energetic," Niel replied with charm.

"What a coincidence! Tonight I was planning to cook something special. Would you two come over? It's been so long since I cooked for Selena."

Lena quickly interjected. "Grandma, I think we-"

"Of course we'll come," Niel interrupted again, his tone casual yet firm, as if the decision were final. "I'd love to know more about my wife's past. And tasting Mrs Vero's cooking sounds delightful."

Lena stared at him in disbelief. "You... can't be serious."

Niel simply flashed a sly smile. "You wouldn't want to disappoint your grandmother, would you, darling?"

Lena nearly choked at the endearment.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Vero clapped her hands happily and patted Niel's arm. "You'll love my cooking. I'll do my very best tonight!"

Lena could only stand frozen, her eyes fixed on Niel, full of unanswered questions.

What game was this man playing? Why pretend to be her husband?

Did he know who she really was?

Or... was this all just a crazy coincidence?

Their eyes met. Niel's smile remained calm. But beneath it, Lena could feel-this man was hiding something.

And whatever it was... it was far from simple.

"The game has only just begun, Selena.

Or... should I call you Lena?" Niel thought to himself.