His Wife, Her Stranger

Charlotte paused, her brows furrowed as she turned to meet the woman’s gaze. She had been featured in the news, yes—but no one really knew who her husband was. Michael had never taken her out, never introduced her properly, not even when she begged him to let her attend his dinner parties with him.

“You can come with me to the federal registry,” the woman continued calmly, as though she were discussing something ordinary. “Name your price, get your money, and marry him. He’s doing well for himself—owns a house and a successful business. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

Charlotte remained silent for a moment, her mind racing.

It sounded… tempting.

Too tempting.

All she needed was money—just enough to start over with her father. Once she had that, she could leave. Divorce wouldn’t be a problem. After all, this would only be an arrangement, nothing more.

She stood there for several minutes, thinking deeply. Reality pressed heavily against her chest. There was no stable future waiting for her, not like this. Her father struggled enough already, working a low-paying job just to survive. Adding her burden to his would only make things worse.

For a brief second, she considered calling him.

But she stopped herself.

She already knew what he would say.

He would refuse.

He would tell her to endure, to manage, to stay strong the way he always had. But this wasn’t just about endurance anymore—it was about survival.

Charlotte took a slow breath.

“Fine,” she said at last, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. “I’ll do it. But if the marriage doesn’t work out, we get a divorce. And before anything, we draft an agreement. Everything must be written.”

That was her condition.

She would take the money, secure her future, and walk away if things went wrong, which she was almost certain they would.

The kind of man described by this woman? Wealthy, successful, distant?

He would definitely be arrogant.

And men like that didn’t make good husbands.

The woman beside her simply nodded, a faint smile forming on her lips. Without saying another word, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

“He will be here soon,” she said.

Charlotte’s heart began to beat faster.

She didn’t know why.

Perhaps it was the weight of what she had just agreed to.

Perhaps it was fear.

Or maybe… something else.

Nearly an hour later, a car pulled up in front of them.

Charlotte’s eyes followed it instinctively, her body going still as the door opened.

And then he stepped out.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Tall.

Well-built.

Effortlessly composed.

There was something about him, something commanding, something cold—that made her chest tighten slightly.

He didn’t look like someone who needed this arrangement.

If anything, he looked like a man who had options.

So why was he single?

“Grandma, you wanted to see me?” His voice was deep, smooth, and carried a natural authority as he approached.

“Yes,” the woman replied, clearly pleased. “I found someone for you. She’ll make a good wife. You both should register your marriage.”

He turned his gaze toward Charlotte.

There was no warmth in his eyes.

Only indifference… and something close to irritation.

Strangely, that made Charlotte more certain of her decision.

Good.

If he didn’t like her, then this marriage wouldn’t last.

And that worked perfectly in her favor.

He glanced back at his grandmother, his expression unreadable.

So this is how she plans to fix things… he thought briefly.

Then, without much hesitation, he said, “Alright. Let’s proceed.”

Charlotte blinked in surprise.

That was it?

Just like that?

No questions. No arguments.

He agreed.

The woman beamed, clearly satisfied.

“Good. Let’s not waste time,” she said, already moving.

Fifteen minutes later, they were inside the registry building.

Charlotte barely had time to process anything before his hand closed around hers.

Firm.

Unyielding.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt—but enough to make it clear that he wasn’t letting go.

Her heart skipped.

They walked together until they stood before the official.

Only then did he release her hand.

Without a word, he reached for a sanitizer and cleaned his hands calmly, as though nothing had happened.

Charlotte watched him quietly.

Arrogant.

Exactly as she expected.

But for some reason… she didn’t feel offended.

If anything, she found it oddly amusing.

The documents were handed to them.

Two sheets. One pen.

Charlotte read through them carefully, making sure nothing was hidden or altered. Once satisfied, she signed.

He signed immediately after, without hesitation.

And just like that—

It was done.

She was married.

Again.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, handing it to her without looking at her.

“House thirty-four, Hilton Garden Park Road,” he said. “You can move in today or tomorrow. Don’t wait for me, I’ll be out of the country.”

Charlotte nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

That was all.

No introduction.

No conversation.

No emotion.

He turned and walked out.

Outside, his grandmother was already waiting in the car.

She stepped out the moment she saw him.

“Where’s my daughter-in-law?” she asked eagerly.

“She’s inside,” he replied casually. “She’ll move in. I’ve given her the keys.”

The woman’s face lit up instantly, satisfaction written all over her.

She turned to go inside, but he stopped her.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m bringing her with us,” she insisted.

“She needs to pack her things first,” he said calmly. “Don’t worry about her.”

She hesitated, clearly wanting to argue,bbut eventually, she gave in.

Charlotte had just made a huge decision. It was only natural she needed time.

With a small sigh, the woman returned to the car.

Moments later, they drove off.