The Heart Of a Hidden Wife

~Leanah~ I never thought I’d end up like this — sitting across a man I barely knew, listening to him offer marriage like it was a business deal. “I’ll clear your father’s debt. But in return... you’ll be my wife,” he said, his tone cold and calculated. I swallowed hard. My hands trembled on my lap as I stared at the man in front of me — Aiden Grayson. The same man who held my father’s fate in his hands. The same man who, at this very moment, was asking me to sell my future. He looked to be in his late thirties. Perfectly ironed suit. Watch probably worth more than my family’s house. Eyes dark, unreadable. There wasn’t a single trace of kindness in them. “Why... why me?” I whispered. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. “Because I need a wife. And you—” he paused, eyes narrowing on me, “—you’re desperate enough to say yes.” It felt like a slap. But he wasn’t wrong. Papa owed him over RM300,000. After being scammed by a close friend, our family had nothing left. No savings. No property. No dignity. I looked at Papa, seated beside me, head bowed in shame. His shoulders were shaking slightly, his eyes red. It broke my heart to see him like that. Papa, who once walked proudly as a businessman, now couldn’t even look his daughter in the eye. “I don’t want your pity,” I said softly. “This isn’t pity, Leanah. This is a contract. You’ll be compensated. You’ll live comfortably. But there are rules.” I looked up. “What kind of rules?” He didn’t hesitate. “Rule one: This marriage stays private. No one must know, not even my family. Especially not my wife.” My chest tightened. “You... you already have a wife?” He nodded once. No guilt. No hesitation. Just pure business. “Rule two: You will not fall in love with me. This is an arrangement, not a love story.” I blinked, fighting back the sting in my eyes. “And if I break the rules?” He leaned forward, voice low. “Then your father pays the price.” The way he said it sent chills down my spine. This was insane. Marry a man who already had a wife? Hide like some dirty secret? Live under the same roof but pretend I don’t exist? But what choice did I have? I thought of Mama, who passed away five years ago. I thought of my little sister, Alia, only fifteen and still in school. She needed textbooks. Food. A roof over her head. I was the eldest. I had to fix this. Even if it meant destroying my own future. I turned back to Aiden. My voice cracked as I whispered, “Fine. I accept.” His expression didn’t change. No smile. No warmth. “Good,” he said, standing up. “We get married tomorrow.” Just like that... I became someone’s hidden wife. --- The next morning, I wore a plain white dress. No lace. No veil. No bouquet. Just a signature on a piece of paper. There were no guests. No photographer. No ‘I do’. Only the cold voice of a registrar, the rustle of papers, and the weight of reality sinking into my bones. Aiden didn’t even look at me as we signed the marriage certificate. To him, I was just a solution to a problem. After the ceremony, he handed me an envelope. “Your father’s debt is cleared,” he said, slipping the paper into my hand. “I expect you to move into my private apartment by next week.” I nodded, barely able to speak. “And Leanah,” he added, his voice colder now, “Don’t ever contact me unless I call for you.” He turned and walked away. No goodbye. No glance. Nothing. And that was how my marriage began — not with love… but with silence. --- To be continued... ---