BORROWED WIFE STOLEN HEART

“You can’t keep coming here every single night like this, Lina. Look at you. You’re shaking.”Her brother’s voice came out thin, barely louder than the beep of the heart monitor beside his bed. He tried to sit up, but the effort made him wince and sink back against the pillows.Lina dropped her bag on the chair and crossed the small room in three steps. “I’m fine. Just tired from the shift. Move over a little so I can sit.”“You’re always tired,” he said, scooting an inch. His hand found hers, cold and light. “Tell me the truth. Did they call about the new test results yet?”She squeezed his fingers, forcing her face to stay calm even though her stomach twisted. “They’re still running them. Doctor said maybe tomorrow. But you know how these places are. Slow as hell.”He let out a short laugh that turned into a cough. The sound rattled in his chest. “Slow. Right. Like the last three times they said that and the bill just kept growing. Lina, I’m not stupid. I hear the nurses whispering

Adrian kept staring at her a second longer, his head tilted just slightly. “You sure? You look like you just saw a ghost.”Lina slipped the phone deeper into her bag and stood up straighter. “It’s nothing. Just a wrong number. Happens all the time.”He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead he walked over to a sleek side table and picked up two copies of the contract. “Initial every page. I already did mine. The agency will file the official one tomorrow morning.”Lina took the pen again. Her hand still shook a little as she flipped through the thick stack. Page after page of cold legal words. No overnight guests. No personal phone calls in his presence without permission. Appearances must look natural but affectionate in public only. Separate bedrooms. No questions about his schedule.“You really thought of everything,” she muttered as she signed the third page.Adrian leaned against the table, arms crossed. “I don’t leave things to chance.She glanced up at him. “That’s

The gala ballroom buzzed with voices and clinking glasses. Lina kept her arm linked with Adrian’s as they moved through the crowd. The deep blue gown felt heavier with every step.“Smile more,” Adrian said quietly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “People are watching.”Lina forced her lips upward. “I am smiling. This is my smiling face.”A tall man in a gray suit approached them with a drink in hand. “Adrian! Good to see you out with someone new. Who is this lovely lady?”Adrian’s hand stayed steady on her lower back. “This is my wife, Lina. Lina, this is Richard Harlan. He sits on the board of the charity tonight.”Lina extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Richard. The event looks beautiful. Thank you for putting it together.”Richard shook her hand and raised an eyebrow. “Wife? That was fast. I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”Adrian gave a small nod. “We met through mutual friends. Short courtship. We’re very happy.”Lina kept the smile glued on. “Very happy,”

Lina walked into the dining room the next morning carrying her empty coffee mug from the night before.Adrian was already seated, reviewing papers. “Seven-thirty. You’re getting better at the timing.”She sat down across from him. “Morning. Did you sleep at all? You were still working when I went to bed.”“I don’t need much sleep.” He pushed a folder toward her. “This is the schedule for the next two weeks. Study it. Memorize the events and what you’re expected to wear.”Lina opened the folder and scanned the list. “Three galas, one charity lunch, and a business dinner? That’s a lot for the first month.”“It’s necessary.” Adrian poured more coffee for himself. “The lawyers are watching closely. Every public appearance needs to look natural and stable. You’ll attend all of them with me.”She flipped the page. “And the clothing requirements? I see ‘formal navy’ and ‘elegant black’ listed. Sophia is bringing those today?”“Yes. She’ll fit you properly this morning.” He took a sip. “Rule

Lina walked into the living room the next morning, her hair still damp from the shower.Adrian was standing by the windows, phone to his ear. He ended the call the moment he saw her.“You’re up early,” he said. “Good. We have a problem.”Lina stopped halfway across the room. “A problem? What happened?”Adrian slipped his phone into his pocket. “The lawyers just called. They want proof of domestic stability. Photos of us having breakfast together, looking relaxed. Sophia is coming in thirty minutes to set it up.”Lina crossed her arms. “Photos of us having breakfast? Like we’re playing happy family for the camera?”“Exactly.” Adrian walked toward the dining table. “Sit down. We’ll practice looking natural before she arrives.”Lina sat across from him, tension tight in her shoulders. “Natural. Right. Because nothing about this feels natural.”Adrian poured coffee for both of them. “You need to relax your face. You look like you’re about to argue with me.”“I might argue,” she muttered,