Meeting his Beautiful Wife

The cemetery stood beneath a gray sky, wrapped in silence and grief. Soft prayers drifted through the cold morning air while mourners dressed in black gathered around the freshly buried grave of Mr. Jacobo. Gena stood quietly at the edge of the crowd. She preferred it that way. Unnoticed. Invisible. Her black dress swayed gently with the wind as she lowered her gaze, fingers tightening around the handle of her handbag. Then the whispers began. And suddenly, breathing became difficult. “Jared’s back.” Her body stiffened. A woman standing nearby covered her mouth in surprise. “I heard he arrived last night.” “After all these years abroad?” another whispered excitedly. “I honestly thought he would never return.” “Of course he would. His father passed away. Besides, someone has to reclaim the company.” Their voices lowered. “But what about the acting president?” Gena’s chest tightened. “That woman... what’s her name again?” “I forgot. Whoever she is, her position won’t last long now that Jared Jacobo is back.” A soft laugh followed. “It’s about time. The Jacobo empire belongs to the real heir.” The words pierced deeper than they should have. Gena remained still. Calm. Expressionless. But beneath her composed appearance, panic slowly coiled around her heart. Because unlike everyone else— She knew exactly who Jared Jacobo was. Not merely the heir. Not merely the returning son. But her husband. A husband she had never truly met. Three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobo arranged their marriage. A legal union born from family promises and desperation. Jared had been overseas at the time. According to his parents, he had signed the papers without knowing the full truth. And afterward— Nothing. No calls. No visits. No husband. Their marriage existed only on paper. A secret buried beneath signatures and silence. Even Cherry knew nothing. No one did. Gena swallowed. Jared is back. The thought echoed mercilessly inside her head. And for the first time in years— She felt genuinely afraid. “Gena?” Cherry’s familiar voice pulled her back. She turned and found her assistant standing beside her, concern written across her face. Cherry tilted her head. “You look pale.” “I’m fine.” “That’s a terrible lie.” Gena forced a weak smile. “I just... need some air.” Cherry followed her gaze toward the gathering of business executives. “Oh.” Her eyes widened slightly. “You heard about Jared Jacobo?” Gena’s throat tightened. So the news had already spread everywhere. Cherry crossed her arms. “Honestly, everyone’s making such a big deal about him.” Gena stayed silent. “They say he’s ridiculously handsome,” Cherry continued dramatically. “Tall, rich, mysterious—basically every woman’s fantasy.” Normally, Gena would laugh. Today she couldn’t. Cherry studied her. “You’re nervous.” “No.” “You are.” Gena looked away. “I just don’t want complications.” Cherry frowned. “Complications?” “If Jared takes over the company...” Gena paused carefully. “Things will change.” Cherry blinked. “But you’ve been running J’s Corporation brilliantly.” That was true. After Mr. Jacobo’s declining health, Gena had quietly taken responsibility for managing the company. Not because she wanted power. But because someone had to. And she loved the company. Loved the employees. Loved building something meaningful. Yet none of that mattered now. Because the rightful heir had returned. “He could replace me,” Gena said softly. Cherry looked offended on her behalf. “And so what? You practically saved that company.” “It’s still his.” Cherry sighed. “You sound like you’re preparing for war.” If only she knew. Gena lowered her voice. “I just don’t want to meet him.” Cherry blinked. “You’ve never met him before.” Exactly. And yet somehow— Her life had been tied to his for three years. Cherry suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Wait.” Gena’s heart skipped. “You don’t secretly have a crush on him, do you?” “What?!” Cherry laughed. “I’m kidding!” Gena forced herself to laugh too. But inside— Her pulse was racing. Because if Jared discovered the truth... Everything could collapse. He would hate her. He probably already did. To him, she was nothing more than the woman his parents forced him to marry. A burden. An unwanted obligation. And men like Jared Jacobo— Powerful men— Rarely forgave things they never wanted. Cherry gently squeezed her arm. “You’re overthinking.” Maybe. Or maybe her world was already beginning to fall apart. “I need to leave,” Gena said quietly. “Now?” She nodded. Cherry looked surprised but didn’t question further. “I’ll cover for you.” Grateful, Gena gave her a small smile. “Thank you.” She turned quickly, heels sinking lightly into the damp ground as she walked away from the burial. The farther she moved— The faster her heartbeat became. She almost reached the parking area when a sudden hush swept through the cemetery. Whispers rose again. And instinctively— She looked back. A sleek black car had just arrived. Its door opened. Everything around her seemed to slow. A tall man stepped out. Black suit. Broad shoulders. Cold elegance. Even from a distance, his presence commanded attention. The mourners parted instinctively. Women stared. Men straightened. And when he removed his sunglasses— Gena’s breath caught. He was devastatingly handsome. Sharp jaw. Dark eyes. An unreadable expression that carried neither warmth nor grief. Just control. Just power. Jared Jacobo. Her husband. Panic surged violently through her. Before he could look her way— Gena lowered her face and hurried toward her car. She didn’t wait. Didn’t dare. Because the moment Jared Jacobo entered her world— She ran. And somewhere behind her— Unseen— A pair of dark eyes followed the retreating woman in black. Interested. Curious. And strangely unwilling to look away.