Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 62

"You've got a mild fever."

Her attention shifted. She touched her own forehead but could not tell.

Alexander pulled the covers back and got out of bed.

Elena could not help noticing his build, broad shoulders, defined waist. Heat rushed to her face again, and she quickly looked away. Alexander, on the other hand, showed no discomfort at all. He got dressed with ease and made a phone call.

Less than five minutes later, there was a knock at the door. He opened it and came back with two bags.

"Clothes. Medicine." He set them on the bed.

There was a water dispenser in the suite. He poured a glass of warm water and placed it within her reach on the nightstand.

"Take the meds."

Elena stared at him. Why was he so calm about all of this? He acted like they had been married for years.

Seeing how composed he was, her own embarrassment faded a little. They were getting married soon anyway. She decided to treat this as... getting used to married life ahead of time.

She took the medicine he handed her, then lifted the covers and grabbed the bag of clothes, heading for the bathroom.

She could feel his gaze on her back, warm and steady. The calm she had been forcing started to crack. She quickened her steps, slipping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her before letting out a long breath.

Then she looked in the mirror. And immediately lost that calm again.

Her neck, her chest, her waist, marked. She covered her face. No wonder he had been looking at her like that earlier.

After a quick shower, she opened the bag.

Inside was a soft, feminine outfit, paired with a geometric silk scarf, perfectly placed to cover the marks on her neck. Once she was dressed and sure everything looked normal, she stepped out.

Alexander had already finished freshening up and looked completely put together again, distant and composed.

For a brief moment, Elena almost felt like the man from last night was someone else entirely.

Because last night, he had been anything but restrained.

Which meant one thing. At least there was nothing wrong with him physically. That, if nothing else, was reassuring for their future marriage.

Her thoughts drifted until a hand waved in front of her face.

She snapped back to reality.

"Want me to drop you off?" Alexander asked while adjusting his tie.

"No, I have work. I'm covering a story today."

She checked the time. If she drove, she would make it.

"I'll take you," he said.

Elena showed her press badge. "I'm a reporter with Velmora Media, working on a current affairs feature—"

Before she could finish the word "reporter," the woman's expression changed completely. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at Elena.

"Get out! All of you, heartless reporters, just get out!"

Her emotions spiraled instantly. Afraid of making things worse for her health, Elena stepped back out of the room.

"Elena, are you okay?" she asked from outside, having kept her from going in.

Sophia had only seen the sudden outburst and had no idea what triggered it.

Elena shook her head, confused about why the woman reacted so strongly to reporters. Lydia had already given them a hard deadline. They had to figure out the truth today.

They sat outside while the woman remained inside, quietly crying.

A nurse passed by, glancing into the room as she spoke in a low voice.

"Her son still hasn't woken up. Her husband has severe burns. The medical bills are going to be insane."

"I saw a report saying he used to drink and get violent. Why would she even stay with a guy like that?"

"Don't jump to conclusions. I heard it wasn't like that. Their kid accidentally set the curtains on fire at home. He got burned trying to save them."