MARRIED TO A SECRET

INTRO

When love felt like a hellhole, a damn mystery I couldn’t solve, my life revolved around my book, The Murder of Ethan Salvy—a book I turned to whenever I wanted to find the ending, only to realize it had no end.

Maybe it was because I found it hard to love.

Or rather, maybe it was because I was married to a man who lasted or formed to last only two seconds in bed!!!

And when everyone around me became a fucking suspect in the mystery of my life… not even my own family could be innocent. They were all fucking the same!!!

I scoffed as I picked up my laptop and started writing the next chapter.

Who is Damian?

I muttered.

PROLOGUE

I quickly shoved Brian off after the last round.

"Stop it, Brian! This is enough! You have to delete that video right now!" I gasped, buttoning my dress and brushing off the stench of the dry grass beneath us.

"Okay, okay! I deleted it," Brian muttered, pulling up his shorts. "Happy now?"

"Brian, this is the last time we ever—"

"Oh, stop it, Maya," Brian sneered. "Tell me you don’t enjoy every second of this. I read your messages—you’ve never enjoyed a single moment with that impotent excuse for a husband."

I shoved him in fury. "He is my husband! You will respect him! Stop fucking stalking and blackmailing me, you sick psycho!"

Brian gave a devilish smirk. "Are you really going to pretend you don't crave my touch?"

His hand slithered up my neck, sliding down toward my waist. An electric shock coursed down my spine, but I snapped back to reality and shoved him away.

"I am a married woman! Stop blackmailing me! I want to focus on my marriage, my home, and—"

"Your impotent husband?"

SMACK!

My hand cracked across his cheek, sending him staggering back.

I instantly froze. Violence wasn't going to get me out of this—I needed him relaxed so he would drink the juice bottle spiked with peanut butter.

"I'm sorry, Brian," I softened my voice, reaching out to steady him. "I just hate when you speak about him like that. Here... take a drink."

I took a tiny fake sip from the bottle and handed it over. He snatched it and gulped it down.

"If not for his empire, would you even stay with him?" Brian rasped, wiping his mouth.

"Maybe..." I murmured, watching him drain the bottle.

"I’ve spent months watching you," Brian bragged. "Learning every little secret..."

Suddenly, his words cut off. Brian began to choke, his hands flying to his throat as he gasped for air.

"I learned about your deadly allergy, Brian," I whispered. "Since you wouldn't delete the video from that ball night when you took advantage of me... I decided to delete you."

Brian collapsed to the dirt, his eyes wide with horror. "You... you..."

"Just die, Brian, and leave us alone," I said, watching his body go rigid. "Maybe you were right—I want his wealth, and I don't care about his performance. I’d rather be with him than a monster like you. And his performance? We’re going to fix it."

I scoffed at my own words. For years, Clint had tried everything—medications, herbal cures, adult films—yet nothing worked.

I turned and walked away. That was my fatal mistake,"WALKING AWAY!!

I never double-checked.

I never looked back.

I just ran after seeing his body go still.

Chapter One : Letting go

"Get off me, Clint!"

Clint groaned, trembling on top of me, his sweat dripping onto my skin. I shoved him off, pulled up my lace nightwear, and walked out, ignoring his desperate shouts.

"It’s always the same, Clint! Zero improvement!" I snapped, leaving him naked on the bed.

I walked down to the secluded room at the far end of our estate—the same room where I had found solace ever since moving to London following Brian’s death. I shut the door, sinking into the silence.

Maya... Maya...

Clint’s pounding on the door woke me hours later.

Gently opening my eyes, I gasped. It had happened again. I was naked, consumed by a strange, overwhelming satisfaction that made no sense. Ever since Brian died, this room was the only place I woke up feeling fulfilled, happy, and completely satisfied.

Maybe I’m just satisfying myself in my sleep, I thought, pulling my clothes on before opening the door.

Clint stood there, holding a small package. "Oliver got me a new medication, darling! I stayed up all night watching guides. I promise I’ll—"

"Just stop, Clint," I exhaled. "You’ve always made that promise ever since we got married. I’m going to the supermarket. Just deal with it."

After taking a shower, I stood beside my car in the quiet estate driveway. Ria walked over with a mischievous grin.

"Ever since you moved in next door, you've been a pain in my neck," I teased, smiling.

"Admit it, you love me!" Ria laughed. "I brought life to this empty estate. How did you even find this place?"

I looked around the isolated grounds. There were only two occupied houses, with a third sitting abandoned at the far end. "I find peace here."

Ria slid a package into my hands. "Got this like you asked. It's way bigger, with plenty of veins on the sides."

"You spoiled brat!" I laughed, shoving the boxed Dildo into my passenger seat.

"A friend invited me to a party tonight. You should come have some fun!" Ria added.

"The last time I tried to 'have fun,' it almost destroyed my life," I replied, stepping into my car. "We’ll talk later."

All through the drive, a black car trailed me in the rearview mirror. I tried to brush it off as paranoia.

I pulled into the supermarket lot and got out. Nearby, a man wearing a black baseball cap pulled low stood watching me, his face completely hidden.

I walked inside, picking up groceries while keeping an eye on him. He was hovering just a few aisles away, glaring right at me.

"Hey! Where is the fucking peanut butter?!" the man suddenly roared at an employee. "Where is the fucking peanut butter?!"

"Your hand is literally on it, creepy freak," a customer muttered, walking away.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Panic seized me, and I spun on my heel to sprint out of the store.

Just as I turned, his raspy, terrifyingly voice echoed through the aisle:

"I... I’m actually allergic to this fucker..."