Married To a Stranger

Miss Anderson, you're already married. You cannot marry again. The shocked city clerk said flatly as he slid a paper towards Ruby. Here's your marriage certificate, so we cannot register you again. Ruby blinked, shocked. I'm sorry. What did you just say? You're married? He snapped, waving to the couple behind her. You can't register for a second marriage until you divorce your first husband. Now, please step out of the line. I've got others waiting. Ruby Anderson stumbled out of the line, the certificate trembling in her hand. The guy she'd hired for the day, her fake groom. Scratched the back of his neck. Miss Anderson, you already have a husband. Why did you waste my time and your money? She couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. She just stared at the damned document like it might explode. Jeez, you're weird. Deposits, non-refundable, by the way. He huffed. Then walked. Away. Ruby pressed her lips together, her head still spinning. How the hell am I married without knowing?

With Ruby lost in her own thought,"Shelia was taking her own trip down her memory. Had that wretched Natalia not appeared over twenty years ago. I would have been Warren's bride. Sheila reflected sourly. For two decades, she had lived with a secret only she knew. Her hatred for Natalia had run so deep that when she was about to give birth, Sheila deliberately induced her own labor to match and got the baby swapped. She'd spent her life as the other woman, but she refused to let her own daughter be branded the illegitimate one. So she changed their fates. Her child got the name, the status, the future. And Natalia's child, cast aside, forgotten, a girl no one cared about. As she looked at Isabel's reflection in the mirror, dripping in diamonds, dressed in couture, the resentment in her heart faded, replaced with pride. At least Izzie got the life I never did. She's about to have a gorgeous wedding, one Natalia is paying for. And Ruby. Sheila's lips curled slightly. Po

Ruby had guarded her identity as Dr. N fiercely, planning to keep it hidden for as long as possible. It was the only sanctuary she had from the toxicity of her other life. They're trying hard. But don't worry, we'll maintain complete confidentiality. Miles assured. You sure? She pressed. Absolutely. Even if they do come close, who would ever suspect that Dr. N, the brilliant mind behind solving the hydrogen fuel problem, is merely a sweet-faced, fresh college graduate? Ruby rolled her eyes over the sarcastic remark. But if her team wasn't panicked, then things were still under control. She trusted them. She knew she had an exceptional group backing her. His reassurance eased the fear twisting in her stomach. Until Miles dropped another bomb. By the way, we've acquired information on Owen Knight. Hearing his name, Ruby froze. Tell me everything. You know, the rumor mill says he's ruthless, stone-cold, which is why the family shipped him overseas when he was young. Everyone