All Chapters of The Shadow Husband : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Ms. Claire? We are still waiting for your confirmation on the type of champagne for the reception the day after tomorrow. The catering team says they have not been able to reach you since this morning," Sarah’s voice, the wedding planner coordinator, sounded worried on the other end of the phone.Claire Adeline sighed, clamping the phone between her ear and shoulder as she tidied a stack of books on the counter of the café where she worked part-time. "I’m sorry, Sarah. I’ve been busy preparing for my exams. Didn’t Arthur approve the selection yesterday? He said he would handle all the beverage details himself.""That’s the problem, Ms. Claire. Mr. Arthur is not answering our calls. His assistant says he is in a meeting at the Grand Lexicon Hotel this afternoon. Since the location is close to your dress boutique, could you stop by for a moment? We just need your wet signature on the catering form."Claire glanced at her watch. "The Grand Lexicon? All right. I’ll head over now. I happe

"Julian is asexual, Claire! He hates women! You will waste away beside him and never be treated like a wife!" Arthur shouted from the poolside. His voice still rang clear in Claire’s ears as she leaned against the locked door of her room.Claire steadied her ragged breathing. She looked at Julian’s photo, still lying on her vanity table. "Asexual?" she murmured softly. "If the rumors are true, wouldn’t that be a blessing instead?"Instead of feeling afraid as Arthur had hoped, an idea began to form in Claire’s mind. She walked to her study desk, taking a blank sheet of paper and a pen. If Julian truly disliked women and lived as a loner, then this marriage could become a mutually beneficial business arrangement."We will make a deal, Julian Blackwood," Claire said to herself as she began writing down key points. "No physical contact. No interference in personal affairs. And we will divorce once things settle down."Claire felt much calmer after drafting this "Marriage Agreement". To h

"Personal affairs, is that right? Including the fact that your husband might be a criminal like you are thinking now?" Julian asked as he signed the contract draft Claire had handed him, without a moment’s hesitation.Claire was stunned for a moment before finding the courage to respond. "That is not what I meant. I only heard from Arthur that you have certain medical conditions. Something about being asexual. So, I thought this contract would make you feel more comfortable being around me."Julian paused mid-sip of his whiskey. He looked at Claire with furrowed brows, then a short, sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "Asexual? So that is what my bastard cousin told you?""He said you hated women and would never touch me," Claire whispered, her face flushing with embarrassment at discussing such a sensitive matter on their first night together.Julian leaned back in his balcony chair, fixing Claire with an unreadable gaze. "Interesting. If that is what makes you feel safe sleeping under

"Oops, my hand is so slippery."The sharp sound of a porcelain cup shattering on the café floor made Claire jump. Natalie stood in front of her with an innocent look, while a spill of latte coffee stained Claire’s scuffed work shoes. The annoying woman had come back to the café where Claire worked today."Clean this up, Claire. It was an accident," Natalie said, wearing a satisfied smile.Claire clenched her hands at her sides next to her tray. She could feel the café patrons’ eyes turning toward them. Her breath quickened, but she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to swallow the anger that had risen to her throat."Alright, I will clean it up," Claire replied in a low, trembling voice."That’s more like it. A good waitress should be obedient," Natalie giggled, deliberately stepping on one of the cup shards before sauntering out of the café.Claire knelt down to pick up the porcelain pieces. Her finger was nicked slightly, but she didn’t care. She just wanted this night shift to be

"Talk is easy when you have nothing."Arthur’s mother spoke before Julian left, crossing her arms over her chest and laughing mockingly. Her eyes swept over Julian from head to toe with a condescending look. Beside her, Arthur wore a sneering smile too, wrapping an arm around Natalie’s shoulders as she continued to fake sob."You want to make Claire happy? With what, Julian? With your odd-job laborer’s wages?" Arthur chimed in again with a dismissive tone. "You probably have to make installment payments just to buy a decent pair of shoes."Julian did not take the bait. His face remained calm, but his gaze was ice cold as he looked at Natalie. "We’ll see. But before that, I think this house has a pretty good security system. I’ll ask the guards to check the CCTV footage in this garden to see who actually attacked first."Natalie’s sobbing stopped instantly. She froze and glanced toward the hidden security camera amidst the dense foliage of the large trees. Cold sweat began to bead at h