Married to the Secret Stanger

After leaving the hospital, Joanne sat in the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. The weight of everything was suffocating.

She had always been independent, but the financial burden of her mother's medical bills, paired with the pressure from her marriage to Alexander, was beginning to feel like too much to bear.

She couldn't go to Alexander for help. He had made it clear this was a contract marriage—no strings attached. She had her pride, and she wasn't about to ask him for favors.

Joanne stared at the hospital's parking lot, the familiar sense of helplessness creeping in.

But as much as she wanted to retreat, she couldn't. Her mother needed her.

She took a deep breath and started the engine. She would find a way to fix this on her own.

No matter what it took.

—

At Indigo Design

The next day, Joanne walked into the office with a new determination. She had to find a way to make the money. She needed a solution.

Diana was already at her desk, eyes wide when she saw the look on Joanne's face. "What happened? You look… intense."

Joanne took a seat. She looked up at Diana with a watery eyes, and started telling her everything.

"I'm not asking Alexander for help. I need to figure this out on my own." She said.

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? Because it sounds like—"

"No." Joanne cut her off, shaking her head. "This is my responsibility."

Diana sighed, watching her friend closely. "Alright, but remember you don't have to carry everything alone, Jo. You've got me."

Joanne gave her a soft smile. "I know. And I'm grateful."

But deep inside, Joanne knew that this was something she had to handle herself.

Alexander King's world was too dangerous for her to rely on him. And she refused to be tangled in it more than she already was.

With a resolve to figure this out, Joanne dove into her work. But every moment spent away from her mother's side felt like a step further into a problem that was only growing.

She just didn't know how long she could keep up the facade of strength before it all started to unravel.