Married to the Secret Stanger

Joanne stepped out of Indigo Design, stretching her arms after a long day at work.

Diana had left earlier, and she was about to call her driver when a familiar voice stopped her.

"Joanne."

Her breath hitched.

She turned and saw Jason Monroe standing a few feet away.

His eyes held a mix of emotions—regret, longing, hesitation.

She clenched her jaw. What was he doing here?

"I need to talk to you," Jason said, stepping closer.

Joanne took a step back. She had nothing to say to him.

"There's nothing to talk about," she said coldly.

Jason's expression tightened. "Joanne, please, just listen—"

A black Maybach pulled up beside them.

The door opened, and a tall figure emerged.

Alexander King.

Dressed in a sharp black suit, Alexander exuded power with every wheel.

His icy blue eyes flicked between Jason and Joanne before settling on Jason.

The air grew heavy.

Jason felt an uneasy chill crawl up his spine.

Alexander King was so cool even being crippled.

And the way he moved his wheelchair toward them—with absolute dominance—made Jason question everything.

"Mr. Monroe," Alexander said, his voice calm but laced with warning.

Jason swallowed hard.

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

"Are you lost?"

Jason stiffened. "I was talking to Joanne."

Alexander's lips curved into a slow, mocking smirk.

"She doesn't seem interested."

Jason clenched his fists. "This is between me and her."

Alexander's eyes darkened.

"Everything concerning my wife concerns me."

Jason froze.

Wife?

Alexander moved closer, towering closer Jason drawing his hand to bring him closer to him.

His presence was overwhelming.

Deadly.

"I don't like men who linger around what's already mine," Alexander said, voice dangerously soft.

Jason's heart pounded.

Alexander's words were clear.

This wasn't a warning.

It was a threat.

Meanwhile, at the Hospital

Sophia adjusted her designer sunglasses, smirking as she walked into the hospital.

She had made an appointment.

Not with a doctor.

With Joanne's mother.

If Joanne wouldn't listen, her mother would.

She would remind the woman who was in control.

And make her see how Joanne is sleeping with men just to pay her bills and warned her to keep clear from Jason.

She reached the receptionist's desk.

"I'm here to see Linda Baker," she said confidently.

The receptionist typed on her computer.

Then, her expression changed.

"I'm sorry, Miss Baker, but Linda Baker has been moved to the VIP floor."

Sophia's smirk faltered. "What?"

"She's under strict protection and no longer allowed visitors without clearance."

Sophia's nails dug into her palm.

How the hell did Joanne did that?

Then, it hit her.

Alexander King.

Her blood boiled.

First, Joanne humiliated her at the gala.

Now, Alexander had cut off her access to Joanne's mother?

Joanne wasn't just lucky.

She was protected.

And that made things even more dangerous.

Meanwhile, in the Car

Joanne sat beside Alexander in the Maybach, silent and tense.

Her fingers fidgeted in her lap.

Alexander had said it in front of Jason—wife.

Her heart pounded.

Alexander finally broke the silence.

"Don't let ghosts from the past haunt you."

Joanne turned to him. "What?"

Alexander's gaze was sharp.

"He had his chance. He lost it."

His tone was final. Absolute.

Joanne bit her lip.

She didn't know why, but Alexander's words felt comforting.

As if she truly wasn't alone anymore.