When The Love Comes

I sighed, trying to make her see reason. "I know this doesn't make any sense, but you know how Mom is. She wouldn't stop pushing me to marry my cousin Darin. She even followed me all the way here."

I slumped onto the couch, exhausted. It had been such a long week, and I'd already missed several lectures because of my mom's condition.

"It's Alexander Epix," Ayor whispered, pointing at a man flanked by several others. I didn't even look up. "Yeah, I know. I married Alexander Epics. So what? He's just a rich guy," I said flatly.

Ayor gawked at me, then let out a frustrated cry. "You caught the biggest fish in the ocean, and you're acting like it's nothing? Look at him!"

The hotel we were in belonged to Ayor's family, so getting a room for Mom hadn't been an issue.

"Calm down. We need to keep this marriage a secret," I said, trying to pull her away from Alexander, who hadn't even glanced in our direction. My heart thudded as I headed toward Mom's room, leaving Ayor to chat with one of her relatives.

"Thank you, I'm fine," Mom said slowly as I entered. Her gaze was sharp, and I could tell she was upset with me. I knew I shouldn't have run away like this.

I sat beside her, placing a glass of water on the bedside table. "Don't underestimate the seriousness of a heart attack. You need to rest," I said.

Mom grabbed my hand, cutting me off. "I'll rest when I see you in your husband's home, Teal. My dear, don't you understand that a girl's future lies in building a loving family? Taking care of your husband and children is the greatest fulfillment."

Her voice was tired, but her words hit hard. The doctor might have cleared her to leave the hospital, but she didn't seem okay to me.

"I'm already married, Mom," I blurted out.

She didn't even react, continuing as if I hadn't spoken. "Darin may have a broken leg right now, but he's still ready to marry you. You won't find someone like him. At least you won't have to worry about living expenses—you'll live like a queen in your uncle's mansion…"

I snapped. Getting up, I stormed to my bag and pulled out the marriage certificate, slamming it onto the bed in front of her.

"You insisted I get married? Well, here you go. Are you happy now?"

My chest heaved with frustration. The stress of missed assignments and my mom's relentless badgering about marriage was too much to bear.

Mom's hand trembled as she picked up the certificate. "Did he force you into this?"

I blinked, holding back the words burning on my tongue. The only person who had pushed me into this marriage was her.

Before I could say anything else, the door opened. Expecting Ayor, I turned, only to freeze when Alexander stepped in. His hand brushed against my waist for the first time, and an inexplicable sensation rippled through me. He held a bouquet of red lilies.

"Apologies for the unannounced visit. Alexander Epics, your daughter's husband. A pleasure to meet you," he said smoothly.

I stepped away from him, my eyes silently questioning what on earth he thought he was doing.

Mom was stunned, her disbelief evident. Alexander gave her a small nod. "Of course, this isn't a game. Your daughter is now my responsibility. Rest assured, she's in good hands."

Mom said nothing, simply gesturing for me to leave the room so she could speak with him privately.

I hesitated, staring at Alexander as I stepped outside. What if Mom convinces him to divorce me? I thought, pacing nervously in the hallway. I couldn't let her push me back toward Darin. His family's rules forbade women from working or studying after marriage. That would be the end of my dreams.

---

Alexander emerged from the room, his calm gaze steady on mine. "Did she make you divorce me?" I blurted out, panic coloring my voice. "Listen, whatever she said, I don't agree with it. Don't listen to her—"

He closed the door quietly behind him, cutting off my rambling with a cool, unreadable look.

"Calm down. Nothing happened," he said, his tone as detached as ever.

He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. I stared at it, confused.

"Your number," he said, his voice firm. "We happened to run into each other at the same hotel where I had a meeting," he added, almost as an afterthought, before handing me his private number.

"If anything happens, you can leave me a message," Alexander said, slipping his phone back into his pocket before walking away.

I rolled my eyes as I stared at the spot where he had just stood. "My husband, huh," I muttered under my breath. The whole situation was unbelievable.

Shoving my phone back into the rear pocket of my jeans, I walked back into my mother's room, my head spinning with a million unanswered questions.

---

"Mr. Alexander, this is the preliminary model for the sports city planned for the western side of town," one of the officials said, presenting the design. It was the third time the man had repeated that sentence, his nervousness palpable. He was terrified of irritating Alexander and jeopardizing his job.

No one in the room could fathom why Alexander was late to the meeting. He never delayed anything in his professional life—never postponed any task, never missed an appointment.

"You seem kind, Alexander. I don't know why you married my daughter, but I want you to take care of her. She's sensitive, soft—nothing like she appears on the surface," Teal's mother's words echoed in Alexander's mind as he tapped his finger rhythmically on the table, his furrowed brow betraying his irritation.

"Of course, I will take care of your daughter. She's the most important thing in my life now," Alexander had replied to her earlier.

His comment now lingered in the air of the meeting room, catching everyone off guard. The unexpected sentiment left his team even more uneasy. It was clear this meeting wasn't going to go smoothly.