Unveiled: The Hidden Wife He Regrets

Today was Alexander Hamilton's celebration banquet. Rosie Blair had been bustling around the private room all day, wanting to prepare a surprise for him.

Her assistant, Claire Foster, sighed beside her. "Rosie, you've been Mr. Hamilton's secretary for three years, working yourself to the bone. Now that his company's gone public, you two should finally go public too, right?"

Rosie lowered her gaze to her bare ring finger, where a diamond ring should have been—except she'd deliberately taken it off that morning.

Three years ago, when Alexander's company teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, she'd given up her chance to study abroad and stayed by his side without hesitation, becoming his secretary. She worked until dawn every day, even when exhaustion landed her in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer, all to help him survive the crisis.

Later, Alexander proposed to her. She'd been moved to tears.

To avoid affecting his career, they'd chosen a secret marriage—no wedding, just a simple marriage certificate and a ring. But Rosie had still felt blissfully happy.

The office staff weren't fools though. They'd long since figured out the two were more than colleagues.

Now that the company had gone public, Rosie felt it was time to reveal their relationship. Then she could finally resign as secretary and focus on being Mrs. Hamilton.

"Rosie?" Claire gently nudged her. "What are you thinking about?"

Rosie snapped back to reality and smiled faintly. "Nothing. I'll go confirm the drink order. Mr. Hamilton should be here soon."

She'd barely taken a step when the door to the private room suddenly swung open.

Alexander walked in.

He wore a charcoal gray suit that emphasized his tall, imposing frame. His features were striking, his demeanor cool and reserved—the kind of man countless socialites dreamed of marrying.

Rosie's lips curved upward slightly as she moved to greet him, but then she noticed the woman following behind him.

A woman in a white dress, impeccably made up, graceful and poised.

The woman held his arm, the two of them looking remarkably intimate.

Rosie's footsteps froze. The room fell instantly silent.

Several colleagues exchanged glances. Someone ventured quietly, "Mr. Hamilton, this is...?"

Alexander glanced at Rosie, then looked away, his voice flat. "Let me introduce you properly. This is my fiancée, Susan."

Rosie stood rooted to the spot as a roaring filled her ears.

She watched Susan greet everyone with perfect composure, her body trembling involuntarily, her fingertips turning cold.

Susan Windsor was Alexander's first love.

Three years ago, when Alexander's company faced financial collapse and bankruptcy loomed, Susan had chosen that exact moment to break up with him and fly to Eldoria.

The surprise had become a nightmare. All of Rosie's years of sacrifice had ultimately been for someone else's benefit.

"Mr. Hamilton, you've been keeping quite the secret!" a colleague teased. "When did you get such a gorgeous fiancée?"

Alexander didn't answer, only tilted his head slightly toward Susan, his eyes showing a tenderness Rosie had never seen before.

Susan smiled, her voice soft. "Don't embarrass him. We only just made it official."

Rosie's fingers tightened, crumpling the drink order in her hand.

"Rosie, are you okay?" Claire asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Rosie shook her head, forcing her voice to remain steady.

She took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and walked toward Alexander.

Susan turned then, noticing Rosie, and approached with a smile. "You must be Ms. Blair. Alexander mentions you often. Thank you for all your hard work these past three years. You've managed the company so well."

Rosie looked at her, forcing a smile. "You're too kind, Ms. Windsor. It's just my job."

"Job, schmob." Susan slipped her arm back through Alexander's. "Alexander, you really should give Ms. Blair a raise. You can't let someone poach such an excellent secretary."

Alexander looked at Rosie intently, then murmured his agreement.

Rosie avoided his gaze, lowering her head as her eyes began to sting.

"I'll go check on the food preparations," she said, grasping for any excuse, and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she heard Susan's voice behind her. "Alexander, Ms. Blair is so beautiful and capable. Why didn't you ever pursue her?"

Whatever Alexander said in response, Rosie didn't hear—didn't dare to hear.

The celebration proceeded smoothly.

Susan remained at his side throughout, her smile perfectly calibrated, every inch the lady of the house.

Rosie sat in a corner, clutching a glass of champagne, watching them stand together—a handsome couple, perfectly matched.

Suddenly, Susan approached with her own glass.

"Ms. Blair." Susan sat down across from her, smiling brightly. "Why are you hiding here all alone? Why not celebrate with everyone else?"

Rosie looked up. "I'm not much for crowds."

"I see." Susan took a sip of wine, then asked casually, "You've worked with Alexander for three years—you must know him quite well?"

Rosie said nothing.

"Then he must have mentioned me. We've been together since college. He told me he never stopped thinking about me all these years." Susan's eyes held a hint of challenge.

Rosie's brow furrowed slightly. She almost wanted to laugh.

Was this woman here to mark her territory?

"No," she said coolly. "Mr. Hamilton never discusses personal matters with me."

Susan's smile deepened. "Well, we should have lunch sometime. We can get to know each other better."

"Sure." Rosie stood. "Please excuse me, Ms. Windsor. I need to check on dessert."

She turned and left, not stopping until she reached the end of the hallway, where she leaned against the wall, feeling completely drained.

Her chest felt constricted, as if something was blocking her heart, making it impossible to breathe.

Rosie left before the celebration ended.

She returned home and sank into the sofa, letting the darkness swallow her whole, unable to move.

She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard the door lock turn, followed by harsh light flooding the living room.

Alexander stood in the doorway. Seeing her on the sofa, he paused, then frowned. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

Rosie lifted her head, her eyes red as she looked at him.

"How come I didn't know you had a fiancée?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Alexander's movements stilled. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice hoarse. "Rosie, let's get divorced."

Rosie stared at him in shock.

"You only married me because of Grandfather's wishes anyway." Alexander's voice was low and rough. "Now that his condition has improved, there's no need for you to keep sacrificing yourself."