Chapter 2The Unspoken Term

Serena visibly relaxed. She stepped out of his embrace and looked back at me. "My boyfriend's here," she repeated. "Whatever compensation you want, just talk to his assistant."

She gave me an apologetic smile. "I'm so, so sorry about this. I've made you late for work and gotten you hurt." Then she added, with a touch of pride, "Don't be afraid to ask for anything. My boyfriend is very rich. He'll agree to whatever you want."

"Thank you," I murmured.

Carter's assistant, David, looked deeply uncomfortable. He was one of the very few people who knew about our marriage.

"Mrs. Hayes… uh, I mean, Miss," he stammered. "That, uh..." His eyes fell on my knee. "Why is your wound still bleeding like that? It's been half an hour." He looked concerned. "Do you have some kind of bleeding disorder?"

I nodded. "It's very mild."

Carter's head snapped in our direction, his voice a low rumble. "A bleeding disorder?"

"What's wrong?" Serena asked, confused.

He didn't seem to hear her. His gaze was fixed on my knee, his brow tightly knit.

Serena finally sensed that something was off. She looked from my face to Carter's, her expression turning to suspicion. "Do you two know each other?"

I knew he would never let her find out he had a secret wife. He blinked, schooling his features back into a neutral mask.

"No."

He took Serena’s hand and, as he turned to leave, tossed a casual order to David over his shoulder. "Take her to a hospital."