Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
“Oh Julian, you’re being too modest! I think you’ve got quite the physique,” Lydia said with a smile.
“Of course I’m in good shape. How else could I work as a firefighter?” I chuckled.
“Let me see if you’ve got muscles, hmm?”
As Lydia spoke, her conversation took an uncomfortable turn. Before I knew it, she reached out and pressed her hand against my chest.
I didn’t react quickly enough to stop her.
“You really do have muscles!” she exclaimed, quickly withdrawing her hand. Her smile grew even brighter, and her tone became noticeably more excited.
“Uh, what are you doing?” I asked, watching her expression with growing unease and instinctively taking a step back.
“Sorry about that, Julian. I got a bit carried away.” Lydia giggled. “I noticed you’re alone. Are you single?”
“Well… I guess I am.”
Elizabeth had already agreed to divorce me, so technically, I was single.
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
But mentioning this to Lydia now felt increasingly like a bad idea.
2/8
I’d said what needed to be said and paid what needed to be paid. Why wasn’t she leaving?
“That’s wonderful!” Lydia’s eyes crinkled with delight. “Julian, I really like you. I’ll give you a discount on the rent.
“Originally, it was three months‘ rent plus one month’s security deposit, but I’ll give you a deal. How about six months with no deposit needed?”
Once I said I was single, Lydia’s eyes narrowed with pleasure as she immediately offered me a reduced rate.
At this point, even someone as dense as I could figure out what Lydia was getting at. She was interested in me.
As this terrifying thought crossed my mind, I tensed up and quickly backtracked. “Wait, no, I’m not single! I have a wife. We’ve been married for five years and even have a kid.”
“Come on, Julian, don’t lie to me,” Lydia chuckled. “You’re so young. How could you possibly be married with children. already?”
She clearly didn’t believe me and kept smiling. What should have been a kind smile now sent chills down my spine.
Lydia continued, “You’re not a good liar, Julian. I noticed you
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
3/8
only brought one person’s luggage. Are your wife and child back in your hometown?
“How old is your child? What school do they go to? Which grade and class are they in? Who’s their teacher?”
Lydia fired off these questions one after another, all about a child I didn’t have. Gideon had just arrived at my place, and I knew nothing about him.
I was completely stumped. “Well, I…”
“See? You can’t even answer! Don’t try to fool me, Julian. Just make yourself at home here.”
Lydia’s smile grew even wider when she saw me floundering. As she was leaving, she waved at me and said, “It’s settled then. You’re renting the place, and I won’t ask for a deposit. The money you’ve already paid covers six months‘ rent.”
Hearing her words and seeing the way Lydia looked at me, I felt the hair on my arms stand straight up.
Just as she was about to leave, I desperately tried one more time. “Ma’am, I’m really married!”
“Alright. Fine, you’re married,” she cooed. “But I still like you, so I’ll give you the discount. Make yourself at home!”
I couldn’t believe it. Despite my repeated insistence, Lydia just went along with what I said and even openly admitted she liked
me?
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
4/8
She closed the door behind her, leaving me frozen in place, my entire body stiff as a board.
What the hell? She wasn’t even pretending anymore! She wanted married guys too?
I couldn’t even process what was happening. My scalp tingled with regret for paying the rent so early and signing the contract. How was I supposed to know Lydia had her eyes on me?
If I’d known this was coming, I would’ve slept on the street before staying here.
But it was too late to change anything now. The money left in my pocket would only cover food for a couple of days, and payday was still several days away.
With no other options, I had to stay here for now. As for Lydia, I immediately ordered a bedroom security lock online with express delivery.
After placing the order, I let out a long sigh and started
unpacking my meager belongings. There were just some clothes and toiletries.
My bedding and other personal items were still at the home I shared with Elizabeth.
While I was settling in, Elizabeth had already arrived at the bar with Callum.
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
5/8 Tonight, she’d completely transformed from her usual ice–queen elegance. Instead of her typical reserved look, she wore a mini skirt that showed off her long, perfect legs wrapped in seductive black stockings. She’d completed the look with pointed high heels and styled her hair in loose, glamorous waves.
Elizabeth’s face was still caked with makeup, giving her that total smokeshow vibe.
Callum, standing beside her, was practically drooling. He could barely take his eyes off her.
“Elizabeth, your style tonight is absolutely stunning,” he said. “Even when we were dating, I never saw you dress up like this.”
“Do I look good?” she asked.
“Of course you do. You’re the most beautiful woman here!”
“Then… do you like it?”
“I love it… but would Mr. Thornton mind me saying that?” Callum swallowed hard, feigning concern.
Elizabeth showed no reaction to Callum’s obvious game. She simply replied flatly, “Let’s not mention him. We’re having fun tonight. Come on, let’s get a drink.”
“Sure, but Elizabeth, maybe we should get a private room? You look so gorgeous tonight. I’m worried someone might get the wrong idea about you.” Callum’s eyes held a possessive, predatory look as he gazed at Elizabeth.
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
6/8
“No. We’ll stay here,” Elizabeth firmly refused. Before Callum could say anything else, she slipped her arm around his neck and pressed her body against his.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the bar, someone was taking photo after photo of this intimate moment between Elizabeth and Callum.
Compared to the noise and glitz of the bar, the night outside. was peaceful. I stood by the window watching the moon after finishing cleaning up the place, feeling completely at peace.
My own belongings weren’t much, but when I opened the closet, I discovered the house had clearly been vacant for quite a while. Dust had settled everywhere.
With no other option, I’d spent an hour wiping everything down before I could finally put my clothes away.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Looking at the screen, I was surprised to see a message from a college buddy I hadn’t talked to in ages.
Was he getting into trouble and asking for money?
Puzzled, I unlocked my phone to check his message.
It wasn’t a request but a video he’d forwarded. The thumbnail showed what looked like a bar scene. The woman snuggling up to some guy in the center of the frame seemed weirdly familiar.
Chapter 13 I’m Actually Married
Before I could play the video, my old classmate sent another message with a shocked emoji.
7/8
[Julian, check out the woman in this video. Isn’t that your wife, Elizabeth?]
Elizabeth? Just seeing that name sent an unexpected jolt through me.
I tapped the video and the noisy sounds of a bar blasted through my phone. In the center of the frame, a man and woman. cuddled intimately, looking exactly like a couple crazy in love.
The woman was impossible to miss, with black stockings, high heels, wavy hair, and a micro–mini skirt. She was clearly the center of attention.
I recognized her instantly. It was Elizabeth.
