I Married My Cousin's Rejected Fiancé

If Dariel Freeman had been a woman completely in the dark about who Magnus Moore really was, she would have easily gone for someone like Luke Collins. Both in the same field, similar careers after graduation—clearly they'd share more interests and ambitions. From any angle, Magnus, the "security guard," was at a major disadvantage.

"So, you're just gonna let this slide? She's still your wife. That marriage gives you some leverage..." Dariel's attempt at advice was cut short.

"Thanks for the pointer. I'd better speed up the divorce. They can be together for all I care, but if Morgan cheats while we're still married, I won't let it go."

"Whoa, I wasn't talking about divorce! I meant you should fight for her—"

"I'm busy. Goodbye."

Magnus clearly had zero interest in Dariel's advice. He ended the call, took one last look at the photo, and powered off his phone.

As night fell over the city, Magnus arrived at the hospital, catching Luke Collins bringing dinner.

"Looks like I picked a bad time," Magnus said, his tone cool.

Morgan looked up, surprised. "You made it! Thought you'd be later. Everything squared away at work?"

Magnus nodded.

Luke glanced at Magnus and immediately asked, "Morgan, is he a friend of yours?"

"More than a friend," Magnus replied, sounding utterly unbothered.

It almost seemed like he wasn't even considered a friend anymore. Maybe he'd barged in on their date. Now divorce was urgent—couldn't risk any infidelity during the marriage. That would trash both his reputation and the Moore family name.

But just then, Morgan pulled Magnus over and flashed a warm smile. "This is my husband!"

Magnus: ...

Luke: ...

"Your husband? You... you're married?" Shock plastered all over Luke's face. Even Magnus was taken aback.

"Yes," Morgan answered cheerfully. "Let me introduce you. This is Luke Collins, my senior from college—two years ahead. He's crazy talented. They give his work to all the new students, and I have a copy too! Luke, this is my husband, Magnus Moore. We just tied the knot."

"And what does Mr. Moore do?" Luke inquired.

"He's a security guard."

"A security guard, huh... I just figured you'd end up with someone in the same field."

Luke's expression flickered. Not that he looked down on Magnus—it just felt like being a security guard was so... ordinary. Would they even have anything to talk about?

"I didn't expect you to get married so soon. I remember you once said you wouldn't even think about it until you were twenty-eight, so I thought..."

"You remembered that!" Morgan said, a little surprised. "Well, plans change."

"Now that Mr. Moore is here, I'll leave you two alone. I should get going."

Luke was momentarily flustered, but he quickly pulled himself together, flashed a polite smile, and left.

"Have you eaten yet? Perfect timing if you haven't. There's way too much food for just me," Morgan said, cracking open a thermos and pouring him a bowl of stew.

"You don't seem to have any problem with people knowing we're married."

"Why would I? It's the truth, right? In this digital age, whether it's your first marriage or your fifth, it's all easy to trace. Why hide it?"

Magnus listened, chewing on the logic of it. Made sense—why sneak around when Luke would eventually find out anyway? Better to just own it. Maybe this was her way of testing Luke. If he didn't care and still pursued her, she'd think about being with him for real. With that thought, Magnus shot Morgan a dark look. The Myers family really was a bunch of snakes.

...

Morgan spent another day in the hospital. Discharge day came, but Magnus was tied up and couldn't pick her up, so she caught a cab. She'd barely sunk onto the couch at home when a knock sounded at the door. Curious, she opened it—just a package sitting on the doorstep. No one in sight. "I didn't order anything. Maybe it's for Magnus?" She reached to bring it inside but froze. Her palm felt wet. She looked down and her heart nearly stopped. Blood. Bright red blood. The bottom of the box was already soaked through. What the hell was inside? Steeling herself, she held her breath and carefully picked the box back up. When she opened it, several dead rats greeted her, their blood seeping into a piece of paper. The note read: "Debts must be paid! Magnus Moore, if you don't cough up that $100,000, this is what's coming for you!"

Morgan's heart was in chaos as she read the words.

She was about to deal with it when Magnus appeared, his whole body tense, clearly already knowing something had happened.

"No one bothered you, did they?"

"No..."

"I'm not sure how they tracked you down, but don't worry. My debt won't drag you down. I've told them to leave you alone."

"How did you rack up so much debt? A hundred grand is insane!"

Morgan's voice cracked. She'd never seen that kind of money before. The Myers family might have, but she wasn't their biological daughter, and Rhonda had never wanted to spend a penny on her. Since high school, she'd scraped by, working every odd job she could find. Even now, with a decent position, she only brought in a thousand bucks a month.

"When my dad needed surgery, we were desperate and hit up loan sharks. I thought if I married Celeste Williamson, her family would cover it and I'd pay them back over time. But that blew up... I'm sorry I kept this from you. Maybe we should just get a divorce."

He threw the D-word out there so casually.

"And how are you supposed to handle that debt alone? How much do you have now?"

"Practically nothing. I'll figure it out, step by step. They won't actually kill me."

"Loan sharks are dangerous!"

"So, will you help me pay it off? See me through this?"

His question left her speechless.

Even if she wanted to, she had no money!

Her silence was what he expected. Magnus wasn't surprised or disappointed. "I'll be crashing in the employee dorms for a while. I've got things to take care of."

He left, taking the box with him, wiping the floor clean. If not for the faint coppery scent lingering in the air, she could've believed it was all a nightmare.

She stumbled back inside and collapsed onto the sofa, Magnus's cutting words echoing in her head. "So, will you help me pay off the debt and see me through?" His icy stare sent shivers through her.

But Magnus was her savior. If he hadn't shown up when he did, Jones would've violated her. She was the one who'd proposed marriage, not him. And the debt wasn't from some wild lifestyle—it was for his father's medical bills. That showed he was dutiful and responsible. Abandoning him now would make her less than human. He was cornered by loan sharks, all alone. What hope would he have?

The more Morgan thought about it, the more determined she became. She couldn't leave Magnus now.

She scrambled to borrow money, managing to scrape together ten grand from college friends. With her savings, that made fifteen thousand. Enough to hold off the sharks while she figured out the next move.

Determined, she went to Moore Enterprises, seeking out the security post.

"Excuse me, is Magnus Moore here?"