There's a moment, just before sleep, when you forget who you are.
In that space between dreams and reality, I wasn't the fake wife of a billionaire. I was just… me. Li Xue. An ordinary girl with ordinary plans that got shattered like glass on a tile floor.
Unfortunately, mornings are good at reminding you where you actually are.
"Madam, your schedule today includes a bridal brunch with Madam Wu and Mrs. Lin from Lin Group." Mei Lin's voice, soft but efficient, pulled me out of bed.
Bridal brunch?
I blinked. "Wait—what?"
"Madam Wu requested to introduce you to her close friends. She's planning a small family gathering to announce the marriage."
"But… we already got married. Quietly."
"Now she wants the world to know."
I sighed, of course she did and I didn't have the luxury to say no.
Two hours later, I sat in a crystal-studded tea room that looked like it belonged in a royal palace. Zihan's mother, Madam Wu, was regal in the way that made you sit straighter. Her posture was flawless, her expression calm, and her judgment? Palpable.
Next to her sat Lin Yunmei, daughter of the Lin Group chairman. She was tall, stunning, with a voice like dripping honey and a smile sharp enough to cut through bone.
So this was the woman Zihan's family wanted him to marry.
She didn't even bother to pretend she liked me.
"Wu Zihan never struck me as the marrying type," Yunmei said with a titter, sipping her tea. "You must've worked hard to trap him so quickly."
I kept my expression polite. "I think we surprised each other."
"Hmm. Well, his tastes have always been unpredictable. Though I must say, your background is quite… humble."
Madam Wu didn't correct her.
I knew what she was doing she was establishing her place, making it known I didn't belong in their world.
And yet, I didn't crumble.
Instead, I smiled and turned to Madam Wu. "Family is everything to me, Madam Wu. I hope I can bring warmth and peace to Zihan's life."
Madam Wu studied me for a long moment. Her lips thinned. "You're quiet, Li Xue but we'll see if that's strength or strategy."
I held her gaze, pretending my heart wasn't thudding like a drum in my chest.
That evening, I found Zihan reading in the study, a glass of wine untouched beside him.
"Your mother thinks I'm unqualified," I said bluntly, closing the door behind me.
"She's not wrong," he replied without looking up.
I stared at him, stunned by the casual cruelty of it.
"She invited Lin Yunmei today. You knew, didn't you?"
He finally met my eyes. "She's been part of my world since we were children. My parents still hope I'll change my mind."
"And will you?"
"I already married you."
"That wasn't a no."
His jaw tightened. "Don't confuse what this is."
"Right. Business."
My voice cracked a little despite myself.
Zihan stood slowly, placing the folder he was reading on the table. He walked over to me, and for a second, I thought he might apologize.
Instead, he said, "If you can't handle a few brunches and some empty stares, you shouldn't have signed the contract."
"And if I'd known your family wanted someone else for you, I would've never agreed."
He leaned in, eyes like frozen ink. "You agreed because you were out of options. Don't pretend this was about morals."
I flinched.
He didn't raise his voice, but he may as well have slapped me.
"I'm not your doormat, Wu Zihan."
"Then stop acting like one," he said coldly.
I walked out before he could see the tears gathering in my eyes.
The days passed slowly.
We went to events together, smiling for the cameras, playing the perfect couple. His hand sometimes grazed mine, but it never lingered. His smile was always polished, never warm and somehow, the more he held back, the more I hated how I noticed everything about him.
The way he loosened his tie when no one was watching, the faint scar near his temple, the fact that he never drank his coffee hot and the way he avoided looking at me when we were alone.
One night, I returned from a quiet walk to find him asleep on the couch, a book resting against his chest. His tie was undone, his shirt wrinkled—a rare glimpse of the man beneath the armor.
I covered him with a blanket, careful not to wake him.
But just as I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
"You're still up."
"I didn't mean to wake you."
He sat up, brushing a hand through his hair. "I didn't sleep."
I hesitated. "Why not?"
He didn't answer right away. Then, almost too quietly, he said, "I had a brother once."
I froze.
He'd never spoken about his family. Not really.
"He died when I was sixteen," he continued. "He was supposed to take over the company. Not me."
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
He nodded. "My parents changed after that everything became about legacy and control. They didn't want another mistake."
"And marrying me is their idea of a mistake?"
"They don't know it's fake. Yet."
He looked at me for a long time. Something raw flickered in his eyes, then disappeared.
"I didn't mean what I said about you not belonging."
I sat beside him. "You did. But it's okay."
"No," he said. "It's not."
The silence between us wasn't cold for once. It was… fragile.
"I was angry," he admitted. "At them and at myself, I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
"I can handle cold, Zihan," I murmured. "But not cruelty."
His hand brushed mine accidentally, maybe—but neither of us pulled away.
"I won't be cruel again," he said.
It wasn't an apology but it was the closest thing I'd get.
Three days later, our picture was on the cover of a glossy magazine.
"CEO Wu Zihan's Mystery Bride: Who Is She Really?"
And just like that, the world began to notice me.
Which meant… it wasn't just his family I had to worry about anymore.