My Husband, the Assassin

Chapter 003

First People's Hospital, Parking Lot

The engine of the bright red Maserati purred into silence as William parked it right in front of the hospital entrance.

He stepped out, and the contrast was blinding.

The car was a symbol of Italian luxury, sleek and expensive. The driver, however, looked like he had just rolled out of a dumpster. With his battered straw hat, loose tank top, beach shorts, and cheap flip-flops, William was the definition of a hobo.

He could practically hear the collective gasp of the crowd nearby.

Heads turned. Girls who had initially looked over with excitement—expecting a handsome, wealthy heir—immediately recoiled in disappointment.

"That car definitely doesn't belong to him," a passerby whispered loudly.

"Probably a valet who stole it for a joyride," another sneered.

To the onlookers, poverty and wealth were clashing violently in one image. But William didn't give a damn about their judgmental stares. He pulled out his phone, ready to call Nora.

"William! It really is you!"

A sweet, delighted voice rang out from the side. William turned to see Nora jogging toward him, her white doctor’s coat flapping behind her.

She skidded to a stop, her round eyes wide with shock. "William, I can't believe it! You’re actually my cousin-in-law? Sophia told me over the text, but I thought she was joking!"

Nora beamed, her excitement bubbling over. "This is fate! After you saved me last night, I was wondering when I’d see you again."

The events of the previous night were still vivid in Nora's mind.

She had left work late, around 11:00 PM, only to be cornered by three thugs. Just as they were about to drag her away, William had appeared out of the darkness. He had taken them down effortlessly—one against three—and then drove her safely back to the villa.

If not for him, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

So, while she now knew he was Sophia’s fiancé, to her, he was primarily her hero.

William looked at Nora. Even in her professional uniform, she was undeniably cute. He mentally compared her to Sophia. Good genes definitely run in this family, he thought. Her face is as fresh and sweet as a red apple.

"Alright, your cousin sent me to pick you up. Ready to go?" William asked.

He figured having Nora on his side would be a strategic advantage. Entering the CEO’s villa wasn't going to be easy.

Sophia isn't the type to just let a man move in, William mused. She controls a massive business empire; she’s independent, stubborn, and tough. Conquering her won’t be a walk in the park.

But... The corner of his mouth curved up. I like a challenge.

Just as he reached for the car door, a sleek Porsche screeched to a halt nearby.

"Nora!"

A young man in a designer suit stepped out of the Porsche, holding a large bouquet of red roses. He had clearly been waiting for her.

Nora’s smile instantly vanished. She frowned. "Tyler? What do you want?"

Tyler wasn't particularly handsome—he had a square jaw and a buzz cut that gave him a slightly aggressive look—but he carried himself with the arrogance of money. When he saw Nora, his face lit up.

"Nora, perfect timing! You just got off work, right? Let me drive you home."

"Drive me home?" Nora crossed her arms. "No thanks. I can get back myself."

"Come on, don't be like that. Your place is far, at least thirty minutes away." Tyler shoved the roses toward her, ignoring her rejection. "Let me take you to dinner first, then I'll drop you off. I've asked you so many times. Surely you can give me one chance?"

Nora stepped back, her voice turning icy. "Didn't you see my boyfriend is here to pick me up?"

"Boyfriend?"

Tyler blinked, finally looking around. His eyes landed on William.

He paused. He looked at the flip-flops. The straw hat. The tank top.

"Him?" Tyler let out a disbelieving laugh. "Impossible. You don't have a boyfriend, Nora. And certainly not... whatever this is. Where did you hire this guy?"

Tyler found it absurd. He had investigated Nora thoroughly. She had just returned from studying abroad; there was no boyfriend in her file. And even if there was, it wouldn't be a beggar.

William, who had been watching the show with amusement, was surprised when Nora suddenly grabbed his arm.

She didn't just grab it; she hugged it tight. Her body pressed against his, and William felt the soft, unmistakable pressure of her chest rubbing against his elbow.

He almost let out a moan of satisfaction. Well played, sister-in-law.

"William, say something!" Nora whispered urgently, nudging him while keeping her back to Tyler.

William grinned. Being a fake boyfriend? Best job ever.

He stepped forward, shielding Nora behind him. His playful expression vanished, replaced by a cold, dangerous squint. He radiated an aura of pure menace.

"Hey, kid," William growled, cracking his knuckles loudly. "Scram. You're trying to hit on my woman? You must have a death wish."

Tyler faltered. The sudden shift in William’s demeanor was terrifying. The 'hobo' suddenly looked like a predator.

"Who... who are you?" Tyler stammered, taking a step back.

"Me? I just got out of prison for murder," William said, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. "Don't make me go back in. My Nora hates waiting for me during visiting hours."

He took a threatening step forward. "If you know what's good for you, get lost. Otherwise... things will get messy."

Gulp.

Tyler swallowed hard, retreating another two steps. He looked closely at William. The man was lean, but his muscles were corded like steel wire. And on his arms... were those scars?

"You... you really killed someone?" Tyler asked, his voice shaking.

"Don't believe me?"

William smirked and abruptly lifted his tank top, exposing his torso.

It was a roadmap of violence.

"See this?" William pointed to a jagged, ugly scar on his ribs. "Got stabbed while gutting a guy."

He pointed to a circular pockmark near his abs. "Gunshot wound. Took a bullet, but the other guy took two to the head."

He pointed to another slashing scar. "Machete. And here. And here."

William’s face twisted into a demonic snarl. "I've killed more men than you've had hot dinners, kid. Want to be the next statistic? I can make that happen."

"I... You..." Tyler was paralyzed. His brain couldn't process the sheer violence radiating from this man.

"Nora!" Tyler looked past William, horrified. "You... how can you be with a maniac like this?! He's going to ruin your life! He's a criminal!"

Nora was secretly shocked. She stared at William’s scars—they were real. So many injuries... what has he been through?

But she knew he wasn't a villain. He was her hero.

She snapped out of her daze and glared at Tyler. "None of your business!"

"I'm just trying to help! Nora, you need to—"

"Help my ass! Get lost!" William roared, raising a fist the size of a sandbag. "Or I'll beat you into a coma right here!"

Tyler’s eyes bulged. His face turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He didn't wait to see if it was a bluff. He turned around, scrambled into his Porsche, and sped away as if the devil himself was chasing him.

William chuckled, dropping his fist and pulling his shirt down. "Who was that i***t?"

"The Hospital Director's son," Nora sighed, relaxing her grip on his arm. "Rich, spoiled, and useless. He does nothing but chase girls all day."

"Well, he chased you because you're beautiful," William teased. "Alright, get in. Let's go home."

Nora blushed at the compliment. "William, you think I'm beautiful?"

William sat in the driver's seat and grinned. "Of course. You're one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen."

Nora’s heart fluttered. She giggled sweetly, but as she reached for the passenger door, she hesitated.

"What's wrong?" William asked.

"I... I get carsick," Nora admitted, biting her lip. "Usually, I only feel okay when Sophia drives. Other drivers make me nauseous."

William paused, then laughed and pushed the door open for her.

"Hop in. You won't get sick with me. Think about it—did you get carsick last night?"

Nora blinked. She thought back to the previous night. After he saved her, she had been so relaxed in his car that she had actually fallen asleep.

He's right! I didn't feel dizzy at all!

Realizing that she could not only go home with her hero but also enjoy a smooth ride, her mood skyrocketed.

"Okay!" She hopped into the passenger seat, buckling up with a happy grin. "Let's go home!"