All Chapters of married for show : Chapter 151 - Chapter 160

NATHAN​The hospital lobby was stifling. Between the smell of antiseptic and the sound of Mr. Thorne barking orders at some poor administrative staff member, I felt like I was suffocating. I needed to move. I needed to get Val out of here before she cracked under the weight of her own panic.​"We should go back to the estate," I said, catching Val’s eye. "Get Ben some clothes, maybe bring back some actual food. The cafeteria slop isn't going to help him recover."​Valerie looked at me, her eyes shimmering with relief. "Yeah. Yeah, that’s a good idea."​As she turned to check in with her mother, I stepped back toward the vending machines, looking for a moment of quiet. I didn't get it. Maya sidled up to me, her face pale, eyes blazing with a mixture of fear and pure, unadulterated jealousy.​"You're really going with her?" she hissed, her voice barely a breath. "Just like that?"​I looked at her, my expression carefully blank. "She’s my girlfriend, Maya. I’m doing my job."​"You're act

VALERIE​Ben had been in the hospital for almost a week now. He was finally coming home this weekend, which was a massive relief considering how completely insufferable he was getting from lying in a bed all day. My Parents had practically set up camp in his room, hovering over him nonstop—I was pretty sure he was entirely sick of everyone and just wanted to sleep in his own bed.​With the security camera nightmare temporarily handled and Ben recovering, the heavy air in the house was finally settling. But I had a much bigger problem right in front of me.​I had a lot of reconciliation to do.​I needed to fix things with Maya, and I desperately needed to fix things with Elena. Maya felt betrayed because I’d kept the truth from her—and she was my best friend. As for Elena... well, I had technically killed her twin sister. So I guess the awkwardness was more than justified.​To break the ice, I set up a small, cozy indoor picnic right in the middle of the living room floor—a plush throw

​BEN​The bathroom was filled with steam by the time Ria turned off the shower.​Even with the thick waterproof bandage wrapped tightly around my forehead, she insisted on helping me wash up. She stood under the warm spray with me, her hands carefully washing my shoulders, her fingers lingering in my hair as she avoided the stitches.​"I've missed you, Ben," she whispered, resting her forehead against my chest, her wet hair clinging to her back. "I've missed this so much."​I didn't say anything. I just stood there under the water, letting her handle me.​Looking at her, a wave of memories hit me. We’d dated for about two months back in New York. The first month had been incredible—Ria was the first girl I had ever genuinely fallen for, the only girl I’d really loved. But by the second month, the facade began to crack. She was constantly chasing status, obsessed with fame, money, and the perks of being attached to my family's name. That was why I broke up with her. But as much as I tr

NATHAN​I stood in the driveway for a long, heavy minute after Maya’s taillights disappeared around the curve. The night air was freezing, biting against my bare arms, but I barely felt it.​I hated when she cried. I hated that I made her cry. I hadn't meant to hurl those words at her like weapons—I was just spiraling, suffocating under the sudden weight of Valerie’s betrayal and the walls closing in on me. I actually cared about Maya. God help me, I did. But every time I let her get close, I just ended up tearing her to pieces.​I turned around, running a hand over my face, and stepped back into the silent house.​"What the fuck is all that noise?!"​A slurred, heavy voice boomed from the dark living room, making my stomach instantly drop into a cold, familiar pit.​My dad stumbled out from the shadow of the doorway, holding a half-empty glass of scotch, his eyes bloodshot and unhinged.​"Doesn't Maya know I'm trying to fucking sleep?" he snarled, taking a unsteady step toward me.​"

VALERIE​Before the road trip was even on the table, I had an overdue bone to pick.​I pulled up to Maya’s house, slamming my car door shut so hard the frame shook. My jaw was locked, my pulse hammering in my throat. I didn't even knock—I just pushed through her front door and marched straight into her living room, where Maya was sitting on the couch, looking pale, exhausted, and completely drained.​She looked up at me, dark circles bruising the skin under her eyes, but I didn't care.​"Did you tell Nathan?" I demanded, standing over her with my arms crossed tightly over my chest.​Maya blinked, taking a slow, raspy breath. "What are you talking about, Val?"​"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" I hissed, taking a sharp step forward. "Nathan called me at three in the morning asking if I kissed Ben! He knew, Maya. The only person on this entire planet who knew about that kiss was you. Did you run your mouth to him?!"​Maya let out a dry, bitter laugh, shaking her head as she lea