My Secret Husband

Hurt

(VHIENCENT’S POV)

I shook my head at the strange woman in front of us. "It's okay to be dumb, just don’t make it a daily thing," I teased, not bothering to look at her. "What did your mother eat while pregnant with you that turned you into such an i***t?" I mumbled, closing my eyes again to try and rest.

Is she even thinking?

I was jolted awake when the driver spoke. "Sir Hile, we’ve arrived at Zhenvalle University," he said hesitantly, noticing that I had closed my eyes again.

"Let me rest for a while," I muttered.

Why the hell did she have to sleep here?

A few minutes passed, and she was still asleep, making me grow restless. I closed my eyes again, but then I felt a slap to my face. "Hey, dumbass! We’re here and you’re still asleep. Wake up!" Gaie shouted, shaking me, and then started slapping my face.

"Stop it. Are we friends for you to be slapping me like that?" I asked, irritated, fixing my clothes.

"No, but I'm your fiancée, so I can do whatever I want," she insisted, stubbornly.

"You're so overwhelmed by that title. Pretending like you don’t care, but deep down, you do," I shot back, annoyed, before she suddenly smacked me on the head and limped out of the car. "She’s never been my type," I muttered to myself.

(GAIE'S POV)

Damn, my whole body hurts.

"He really thinks he's some kind of a big deal. He probably believes every woman falls for him. Well, not me. I’d only go for a guy if he was the last man on earth," I grumbled under my breath.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw the long staircase ahead. "Good thing I didn’t go to dinner. All I’d have gotten is more pain and bruises," I said, sitting down to rest for a bit. I was so focused on inspecting my swollen knee that I didn’t notice Vhiencent approaching.

"You waited for me?"

"Leave me alone. Your face is just annoying," I muttered, still not looking at him. I adjusted my glasses and kept staring at my knee. I’m going to get an earful from mom when she finds out I’m getting married, I thought.

I furrowed my brow when I realized Vhiencent hadn’t left. "Why are you still here? Honestly, I don’t care about you, I don’t like you either, so—" I trailed off as I turned around and realized it wasn’t Vhiencent standing there.

"Hey, what are you saying?" a guard called out, making me jump. "It’s late, what are you doing here?"

Shit!

"That damn Vhiencent, he didn’t even help me up the stairs," I muttered, already starting to despise him.

"Why would I help you?"

I automatically turned around when I heard his voice. "Our driver called me. You left your shoulder bag," he explained, holding out my bag. "You’re really something. With such a small bag, you managed to cram so much food inside," he added, looking at me with a mix of amusement and criticism.

Did he see all the food in my bag?

I scratched the back of my neck, embarrassed. "So what? They're just going to throw it all away anyway, so why do you care? You’re rich now, so you wouldn’t understand," I said, trying to walk past him.

"Excuses, old and weak," he muttered near my ear before walking ahead of me. He suddenly stopped and squatted in front of me.

Was he guilty? Was he going to carry me? My feet were also hurting, so I decided to let my pride go for a moment and rest.

"Stop pretending. You’re just acting concerned," I mocked as I let him carry me.

"Why are you letting me carry you?" he asked irritably, distracted by tying his shoelaces.

Wait, he was tying his shoes?

"Why are you two flirting at this hour? Go back to your dorm! It’s 9 PM, you’re not supposed to be here!" the guard shouted, so I quickly found a way to cover up.

"Let’s go, Vhiencent. You know I walk slowly, so it’ll be faster if you carry me," I quickly said, tapping his shoulder.

"You’re heavy. Get off!" he protested, but I yanked his hair.

"Are you going to walk, or should I pull you more?"

I don’t know if it was because of adrenaline, but we reached the front of my dorm fast. He was sweating heavily and panting. "Get off," he said, barely able to catch his breath.

"Wow, you’re fast. Go ahead, leave," I said, pushing him away.

~❦~

"T-Take some water! Hurry!" he ordered.

"Go drink it at your place," I pushed him away. After all, Paige was inside. How could I face her if she knew I was with Vhiencent?

"After I carried you, you’re just going to push me away?" he said, slowly walking toward me.

I stepped back, but he kept advancing. I felt the door behind me. "It’s late, so maybe everyone’s already asleep," I said, making another excuse.

"Did I say I was coming in?" he asked seriously, peering at me. He stared into my eyes as if trying to hypnotize me into doing what he wanted. "Are you going to get it, or not?" He placed both hands on the door, blocking my way, trying to intimidate me.

"That’s such an old move. You think I’m scared? That’s such a loser move," I teased, but he raised an eyebrow at me.

"What? Loser?" he shouted, so I quickly covered his mouth.

This guy is so loud!

I didn’t continue stopping him because suddenly, the door behind me opened. Paige had come out. And so, Vhiencent, Paige, and I ended up stumbling onto the floor. The worst part? Vhiencent ended up on top of me, and we both landed on top of Paige.

I really can’t handle this anymore!

(PAIGE’S POV)

I was completely taken aback when Gaie suddenly appeared in front of me—with Vhiencent, no less.

"Can you get up now? I'm stuck here, for whoever's sake!" I exclaimed, nearly breaking a bone from their combined weight.

Why are they together?

I pushed them off and slowly sat up, checking myself for any possible bruises. I also dusted myself off, annoyed by the traces of Gaie’s dirt clinging to my clothes.

"This is all your fault," Vhiencent accused me with an unreadable expression.

What? I pointed at myself, confused, as he stared at me like I had committed a crime.

"Why is this my fault? Gaie’s the one to blame! Why are you even siding with her?" I snapped, my voice rising in frustration.

What the hell, Vhiencent? Now you’re blaming me too?

"How is this my fault?" Gaie’s irritatingly innocent voice chimed in, making me grit my teeth.

"It’s your fault, to begin with! Stop acting like you’re innocent or some helpless victim here!" I couldn’t hold back a curse. My blood boiled just hearing her voice.

It should’ve been me! She stole everything from me—an absolute snake, pretending to be harmless but striking from behind!

I grabbed Gaie’s arm and jabbed a finger at her. "Have your standards sunk so low? You’ve picked up trash, and worse—you’re actually planning to marry her? If you’re not blind, then you must be an absolute i***t!" I spat, letting my anger overflow.

This is too much! That spotlight always falls on this pathetic excuse of a woman.

"She’s nothing compared to me—not in looks, not in status, not in anything! Just look at her—her hair, her face—it’s like she’s never even seen a bath her entire life! What will people think if they find out you’re marrying someone like her?"

I shoved Gaie hard enough to make her fall to the floor. She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment. "And there you go again with your fragile little victim act. How typical," I sneered, running my fingers through my hair as I seethed with rage.

I felt like I was about to explode. The unfairness of it all—it was unbearable!

"What now, Hile? Are you just going to stand there and stare at me with those cold, dark eyes?" I challenged him, my voice trembling with anger.

"Are you done?" he asked flatly, crossing his arms.

"Really, Vhiencent? That’s all you’re going to say?!" I exclaimed, my frustration hitting a breaking point. "Can’t you see? This lowly, ugly, pathetic, childish lunatic is dragging you down! Look at her! She’s the very definition of bad influence!" I turned to Gaie, looking at her with pure disdain.

She needs to hear the truth.

"Anything else to add?" Vhiencent asked, his tone calm, which only fueled my frustration further.

"Wake up, Vhiencent! Rich people belong with rich people. Beautiful people deserve beautiful partners. Gaie is trash—she belongs in the garbage! I can help you change your grandmother’s mind, but only if you choose me," I said, my voice lowering to a whisper at the end.

I glanced at Gaie, who now sat with her head bowed. She looked hurt—good. She needed to realize the harsh reality of life.

But then Vhiencent smirked, shaking his head in disbelief. He let out a soft laugh, though it carried no humor.

Leaning slightly forward to meet my eyes, he spoke. "You’re right, Paige. I’ve realized something—you are better than Gaie."

Was he serious?

"But only because you’re even trashier than she’ll ever be," he added, his words hitting me like a slap across the face.

The brief moment of triumph I felt shattered, replaced by a suffocating chill that froze me in place.

"You’re blinded by jealousy, Paige. You call her trash, but the truth is, you’re the one I’ve been dying to throw away," he said with a mocking smile.

He then walked over to Gaie and, without hesitation, picked her up in his arms.

I could only sit there, stunned and broken, as he carried her away, leaving me in shock, rage, and pain.