Married to My Playboy Boss

Hannah froze.

She had completely forgotten about that part.

"No," Hannah blurted spontaneously, her voice barely a whisper. Her face drained of color; her makeup failed to hide her panic.

Lucas turned to look at Hannah. His eyes met her panicked gaze for just a fleeting moment. "Just on the forehead."

Hannah's eyes widened. "Mr. Lucas..." Her voice was faint, almost inaudible.

"I won't force you," Lucas replied with utmost composure, speaking so softly that it seemed only his lips moved.

Hannah looked at him. At such a close distance, she caught a glimpse of something she had never seen at the office—Lucas was waiting for her consent. He wasn't commanding, nor was he taking control.

Hannah gave a small nod. Despite her inner reluctance, she had no alternative.

Lucas leaned in. His lips touched Hannah's forehead, brief and warm.

Hannah closed her eyes, and suddenly, her tears spilled over.

She didn't know why. Perhaps the touch was too tender. Perhaps it was a gesture she hadn't envisioned. Or perhaps it was because today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, only for everything to end up in ruins.

Hannah bit her lip, holding back a sob.

Lucas pulled back. He saw the tears but made no comment. Reaching into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, he made a slight motion as if to wipe them away, but paused mid-air. Instead, he simply placed a handkerchief into Hannah's hand.

"Use this," Lucas said quietly.

Hannah gripped the fabric. It carried the same scent as Lucas's jacket—a clean aroma of wood and soap.

Hannah longed to break free from Lucas, having every reason to do so, but her financial circumstances held her bound. And now, she was trapped in a marriage with this very man.

**

An hour later.

Hannah stood alone in the hospital corridor.

Her wedding gown had been replaced with a blouse and trousers. The band on her ring finger felt heavy, prompting her to hide her hands inside her pockets.

"Miss Brooks?" Nurse Claire greeted her outside the room. "She has been waiting for you."

Hannah took a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure before seeing her mother.

"How is my mother's condition right now?" Hannah asked, her eyes full of hope.

"She is calmer now, though she keeps asking about you," Nurse Claire replied warmly.

"I see, Nurse. Thank you." Hannah nodded gently.

Standing outside her mother's room, Hannah inhaled deeply once more, knocked on the door, and stepped inside.

Upon entering, Hannah's eyes landed on Eleanor, who was resting against the headboard. Her greying hair was neatly combed. Though her face was pale, her eyes lit up the moment she saw Hannah enter.

"Hannah!" Eleanor reached out her hand. "My daughter."

The corners of Hannah's lips curved upward, doing her best to project happiness and serenity. She walked over and clasped Eleanor's hand—cold and slender. Hannah held her breath for a brief moment.

Eleanor's eyes sparkled, her smile widening. "How was the ceremony? Tell me everything. I've been waiting since this morning."

Hannah forced a smile. "It went smoothly, Mom."

"Smoothly?" Eleanor let out a soft chuckle. "Weren't you nervous? I nearly fainted at the altar back in my day."

Observing her mother speaking with such enthusiasm, Hannah forced her smile to stay in place. "A little."

Eleanor's smile was deeply affectionate. "And Ethan? Did he cry tears of joy?"

Hannah froze, realizing she hadn't prepared a single answer for that question.

Eleanor observed her daughter's sudden silence. "Hannah?"

"Ethan..." She swallowed hard, her tongue growing stiff. "He couldn't come here. He still... has some matters to handle with his family." Hannah quickly concocted an excuse to prevent further questions.

"On your wedding day?" Eleanor's brows furrowed.

Hannah gave a subtle nod, a hint of sorrow showing on her face. "You know how his family is, Mom. It's complicated."

"I understand," Eleanor said with a gentle nod, though disappointment lingered on her face before she smiled again. "It's alright. What matters is that the two of you are officially married. I can rest easy knowing there's someone taking care of you now."

Those words pierced right through Hannah. A heavy wave of guilt washed over her for having to deceive her mother, yet she had no other choice.

Eleanor exhaled a long breath and said, "Let me see your ring."

Hannah's heart seemed to stop beat. "What?"

Eleanor smiled softly, assuming Hannah was merely overwhelmed by post-wedding jitters. "The ring, darling. I haven't seen it yet."

Hannah slowly withdrew her hand from her pocket. The plain band shimmered under the room's fluorescent lights. It was not the ring she had chosen alongside Ethan.

Eleanor stared at it for a long moment. "It's very simple."

"Yes," Hannah's voice was barely a whisper.

"But it's lovely," Eleanor took Hannah's hand and stroked her finger gently. "Lovely, just like you."

Hannah felt a painful tightness in her chest, seeing the immense joy her mother derived from believing she was married—unaware of who the groom truly was.

Hannah desperately wanted to confess. She wanted to weep on her mother's lap and admit that everything had collapsed. She wanted to reveal that the man she had married today was not the one her mother assumed.

Yet beneath her mother's hospital gown, the heart monitor maintained a steady rhythm—a faint sound, but powerful enough to keep her from revealing the truth.

"I am so happy," Eleanor whispered, her eyes glistening with tears. "Now I can truly be at peace."

"You need to rest, Mom." Hannah wished to avoid further conversation.

Eleanor's gaze remained fixed on Hannah's face. "Just a little longer. Let me look at you first."

Hannah sat at the edge of the bed. She permitted her mother to gaze at her, letting those aging fingers stroke her cheek, brushing away a tear that had fallen unnoticed.

"Why are you crying?" Eleanor asked tenderly, a flash of concern appearing on her face.

Hannah pressed her lips together briefly. "Because I'm happy, Mom."

The lie tasted bitter on her tongue.

Eleanor smiled and closed her eyes. "Me too."

Before long, her breathing slowed, and Eleanor's grip loosened.

Panic surged through Hannah at her mother's sudden closure of her eyes.

"Mom, are you tired?" Hannah's voice was little more than a whisper.

Eleanor gave a faint nod. "I feel at peace now, and I want to rest for a bit." She drifted off to sleep, a lingering smile remaining on her lips.

Hannah remained seated there, motionless, simply gazing at her mother's face, which finally appeared tranquil.

Seeing how stable her mother's condition was, Hannah knew she had to keep her marriage to Lucas a complete secret. She could not risk causing her mother's health to deteriorate again.

Hannah sat in silence until she caught the faint sound of the door creaking open.

She turned to find Lucas standing at the threshold, still dressed in his black suit. One hand rested inside his trousers pocket, his gaze fixed on the sleeping Eleanor.

Why was Lucas here?

At that moment, Lucas shifted his gaze toward Hannah. Their eyes met in absolute silence.