Trapped in a Fake Marriage, Freed by True Love

Enzo was a master of deception, weaving lies as easily as breathing, luring her in with honeyed words.

Hailey shook her head. “You two go ahead. I have work to do.”

Enzo ruffled her hair lightly, his voice dripping with practiced affection. “I’m innocent, you know. My mom’s the one insisting I go on this honeymoon. Be good, okay?”

She gave a small nod and turned toward the bedroom, only to be jolted by the sudden, feral barking of an Alaskan Malamute.

The dog lunged, eyes burning with hostility, its bared fangs flashing as it sank its teeth into her neck!

“Hailey!”

“What the hell? How can you just let it bite someone? That’s disgusting!”

At the sharp call of its owner, the Malamute immediately released her and padded over to Allison’s side, its gaze still fixed on Hailey with unhidden malice.

A sharp sting seared through her skin. Blood trickled from the fresh scratches on her neck.

She had always been terrified of dogs, yet Enzo had let Allison bring one into the house.

And when she turned to him, hoping for even the slightest trace of concern, all she found was a flicker of reproach directed at her.

His gaze barely lingered on her before shifting to the dog. “Hailey, listen to Allison . Go get a rabies shot yourself. I’ll take Hailey to the pet hospital.”

That “Hailey,” was he talking about her or the dog?

Hailey went alone to get her rabies shot.

Meanwhile, her phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

[The weather is lovely today. After all the twists and turns, we’re finally back together.]

She glanced at the screen. A photo of Enzo and Allison on a cruise glowed mockingly in the dim light.

Under the golden hues, love bites trailed down Enzo’s neck and collarbone, bold, shameless.

Below the post, his comment sat like a knife to the heart: [As long as you’re happy.]

Enzo didn’t bother hiding his relationship with Allison. He never had.

Hailey said nothing, but an inexplicable urge rose within her to call Maddox.

The call barely rang before a lazy chuckle came from the other end, followed by the sound of ice clinking in a glass.

"Babe, what now? You can’t be this clingy. I’m busy."

Ignoring his teasing, she spoke softly. "I want to go home."

Maddox stilled. The light clink of his glass being set down echoed through the line. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the people around him.

A scoff followed. "Someone bullied you again? Didn’t I tell you if someone pushes you, push back? Do I really need to teach you that?"

His tone carried a trace of reprimand. "Letting yourself get trampled on like this? Stay put. I’m coming to get you."

"Okay."

Maddox was Hailey’s stepbrother, always playful and never one to take things too seriously. But the faint tremor in her voice made his chest tighten for a split second.

Not long after, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Jasmine, her voice practically glowing with excitement over the thumping bar music.

"Babe, get out of there already! Why are you still wasting your time on that deadbeat husband?"

The contempt in Jasmine’s tone was unmistakable.

Hailey needed an escape, something to drown out the mess inside her head, so she agreed to meet up for drinks.

When Jasmine spotted her downing bottle after bottle, she let out a low whistle.

"Whoa, sis, what’s with you tonight? Did that sorry excuse for a husband finally decide to ignore you?"

Hailey slumped against the sofa, her eyes glazed with unshed tears, her voice hoarse.

"We’re getting divorced. And the marriage certificate he gave me? Fake. Turns out he already registered a real one with someone else."

Jasmine stilled, her expression darkening before she suddenly exploded.

"Holy shit! If that’s true, I swear I’ll kill him! Who the hell does he think he is? You liking him was his greatest privilege, and now he pulls this? Screw him!"