Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 This Time, She's Going Big

The name Alexander Kingsley was practically legendary.

If Nathan was considered a golden boy—polished, charming, and well-mannered—then Alexander was that, and more. But rumors swirled about his health. Ever since the car crash that left him in a coma for six months, something in him had changed. He'd become cold, ruthless, and completely unpredictable.

But what did that matter? After five years of being lied to, Elena figured marrying a ghost would be better than dealing with Nathan ever again.

"I agree." She accepted the condition.

The next day, Elena met with the lawyer at a local café. She reviewed every part of the will again before signing her name.

Just as she handed the pen back, the lawyer added, "The Kingsleys are very pleased with your decision. However, Mr. Kingsley hasn't been well lately. The family has asked that you marry him within a month and assist with his care."

Elena almost laughed out loud. Sick body, rushed marriage. Put it together and it's obvious. They don't want a wife. They want a caretaker.

"You should've mentioned that earlier. Is it too late to back out?"

The lawyer gave her a pitying look. "It's too late. Backing out would be seen as a breach of agreement. For the sake of your safety and career, I suggest you move forward."

Elena clenched her jaw. The Kingsleys were powerful enough to make that threat real.

"Fine. One month. I'll do it."

One month was plenty of time. Time to deal with the Hawthornes. Time to make them pay for what they did. After the lawyer left, Elena checked her phone—thirty missed calls. All from the Hawthornes.

Victoria Hawthorne, Nathan's mom called the most. And as if on cue, her phone started ringing again.

"You call this being a wife? Get to the hospital, now!" Victoria barked, rattling off the hospital name and room number before hanging up.

Perfect. I'm dying to hear Nathan's explanation anyway.

Elena drove to the hospital. As she approached the room, she could already hear voices.

"Camille, I know this has been hard on you," Victoria said gently. "You and Nathan grew up together. You've always been the only one in his heart. But my father-in-law's an old fool. He's obsessed with Elena. If he ever finds out about you two, Nathan won't get his inheritance. And we can't have that. You two have already been married for five years. You're the one I see as my real daughter-in-law."

Camille replied sweetly, "Mom, I understand. Nathan and I are both just playing our parts. If he can pretend to be with Elena, I can put up with it too."

"I'm sorry you've had to go through all this, baby."

Nathan's voice was weak but full of tenderness.

All this talk of sacrifice, pretending, and suffering for love, and it turns out Nathan had married Camille five years ago, legally.

And Elena? She was the fake. The placeholder. The woman who gave him everything, who treated his family like her own.

Elena's eyes turned icy cold. She pushed open the door just in time to see Camille snuggling against Victoria's shoulder.

"Mom." Her voice rang out calmly.

Victoria turned around, startled. She shoved Camille away like she'd been caught stealing.

Camille's face darkened, but she quickly masked it with her usual sweet smile.

Elena nearly laughed. The company—or Camille? Did he think she couldn't tell?

Camille cut in, "Nathan, it's okay. As long as Elena's not upset, I can take a little hate."

"No, it's not okay! You're a public figure!"

Victoria rolled her eyes at Elena. "Didn't you hear Nathan? You're going to take that post down and apologize for spreading false information. Don't make things harder for Camille."

Elena knew Victoria never liked her. Even when she learned Elena was the real Hart heiress. In her eyes, Camille was always the better choice. The one who should've married Nathan.

But back then, it was Nathan who chased Elena for a whole year before she agreed to marry him.

She was done feeling heartbroken.

Her red lips curled into a smile. "Fine. I'll delete the article." Nathan grinned. "That's my good girl."

"But I'm still a little upset. My birthday kind of... sucked."

Elena lowered her lashes, looking kind of upset.

"I'll make it up to you. Name it. What do you want?"

In the past, he'd always let her pick a small gift to cheer her up.

Every single time before, she'd hated to spend his money, always settling for something affordable. But not this time. This time, she was going big.