She married a stranger to escape her ex’s family… But her “broke security guard” husband just bought out an entire mall.
The check landed on the table with a sharp slap. “Here’s a million dollars. Leave my son alone.”
Liana stared at Ryan’s mother, her chest tight with rage and humiliation. The woman’s perfectly manicured nails drummed against the mahogany table, her diamond rings catching the light. Everything about her screamed old money and entitlement.
“Do you think I care about your money?” Liana’s voice shook, but she held her ground. “I’ll never marry your phony son.”
Ryan shifted uncomfortably beside his mother, unable to meet her eyes. “Babe, I’m really sorry. My mom’s pushing me to take over the family business. I have no choice but to give up on you. Take this money and live well.”
“Heard enough?” His mother’s voice dripped with venom. “To my son, you’re nothing but a whore. Nobody will marry a gold digger like you.”
Liana felt the blood drain from her face. Six years. She’d spent six years with Ryan, supporting him through college, believing in their future together. And this was how it ended—with accusations and a check.
“We’re done,” Liana said, standing abruptly. “Keep your money. I don’t want anything from your family.”
She’d already paid for the wedding venue, the flowers, the catering. It seemed wasteful to cancel everything, so she went through with the ceremony alone, inviting her few friends to celebrate her freedom instead.
At the reception, Ryan’s mother showed up uninvited, bringing half of high society with her. “Liana, what are you doing? Are you trying to insult us with this pathetic display?”
“I paid for this whole wedding,” Liana shot back. “I can do whatever I want. It’s really none of your business.”
“I don’t buy your act,” the older woman sneered. “Everyone knows the Smith family is rich and influential. Even the most powerful man in the city, Milton Hamilton, does business with us. I don’t think a gold digger like you would throw away a fortune unless you’re plotting something.”
The crowd murmured in agreement. Liana felt her eyes burning with unshed tears. She’d grown up in an orphanage, worked three jobs to put herself through college, and built a modest career. She’d never asked Ryan for anything. But none of that mattered to these people.
“I’m not trying to insult anyone,” Liana said quietly. “I’m not a gold digger. I’d rather marry a normal person than grovel at the feet of people like you.”
“Then prove it,” Ryan’s mother challenged. “Marry someone right now. Show us you’re not just playing games.”
The room fell silent. Liana’s heart pounded. This was insane.
“Will you marry me?”
The voice came from behind her. Liana turned to see a tall, handsome man in a security guard uniform. He had dark hair, striking blue eyes, and a calm confidence that seemed out of place given his occupation.
“Who are you?” Liana whispered.
“Someone who thinks you deserve better than this.” He extended his hand. “I’m Jacob. And I’m serious. Will you marry me?”
Liana’s mind raced. This was absolutely insane. She didn’t know this man. But looking at Ryan’s smug mother, at the cruel faces of the people who’d judged her, something inside her snapped.
“Yes,” she said, taking his hand. “I’ll marry you.”
The wedding guests erupted in chaos. Ryan’s mother laughed so hard she nearly choked. “Has Liana lost her mind? Marrying a security guard she just met? Maybe she’s trying to disgrace herself even further!”
But Jacob remained calm. He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. “James, send that wedding photo to my mother. Tell her I’m married and she doesn’t need to set me up with any more girls. Oh, and cancel all contracts with the Smith Group. Take them off the supplier list immediately.”
Liana barely registered his words, too shocked by what she’d just done. They signed papers, made it official, and suddenly she had a husband.
“Get in,” Jacob said later, gesturing to a beat-up old car in the parking lot.
“You sure about this?” Liana asked nervously.
“Absolutely. It’s safe. Just trust me.”
The parking brake stuck, and the car made concerning noises, but Jacob just laughed it off. “Little hiccup. Don’t worry.”
Meanwhile, back at the reception, Ryan was having a meltdown. “Mom, did Liana actually marry someone else?”
“Calm down. She’s just trying to make you jealous.”
But then his mother’s phone rang. Her face went pale. “What? Hamilton Holdings has canceled all collaboration with us? Why? This will ruin us!”
Jacob took Liana to a small burger joint. “I know it’s not much, but trust me, the burgers are amazing here.”
“Hey Barry,” Jacob called to the owner. “Two house specials, please.”
While they waited, Jacob excused himself. In the parking lot, he called his assistant again. “James, draw up a marital contract effective six months from now. Compensation set at ten million dollars. Send it over when it’s done.”
Back inside, Liana was fidgeting nervously. Jacob sat down and slid a document across the table.
“Since this was a flash marriage, I thought we might want to sign an agreement,” he said. “You really helped me out today, but you lost your job at Hamilton Hotel because of me. So this contract ensures you’re compensated. Ten million dollars after six months, then we divorce.”
Liana stared at him in shock. “Wait, no. You lost your job helping me. I should be taking care of you. You can stay with me, eat my food, live in my apartment. I don’t want you to worry about money until you find work.”
Jacob’s eyes widened. Then he started laughing. “I have never in my life heard a girl say she wants to take care of me. This is incredible.”
“Do you not want that?” Liana asked, suddenly uncertain.
“Are you kidding? You’re gorgeous, you’re kind, and you’re offering to be my sugar mama? Deal.”
They shook on it, both grinning despite the absurdity of the situation.
Over the next few weeks, Liana and Jacob fell into an easy routine. She’d go to her job at a small marketing firm, and he’d have dinner ready when she got home. He was an excellent cook, always made her laugh, and showed more consideration in three weeks than Ryan had in six years.
But Liana worried about money. The wedding had drained her savings, and now she was supporting two people on one modest salary.
“We might have to cut back on eating out,” she said one evening. “Got to tighten the purse strings.”
“Are you running out of money?” Jacob asked with concern.
“A little. The wedding cost a lot, and Ryan’s family is wealthy. If I’d married him, I’d be living in luxury. But I don’t regret my choice.”
“Why didn’t you marry him?” Jacob asked gently.
Liana sighed. “He used to be different. Sweet, thoughtful, genuine. But over the years, all he cared about was money and status. I realized that money is probably the root of all evil. There’s no such thing as a good-hearted billionaire, you know?”
Jacob looked thoughtful. “Not all rich people are bad. I’ve heard the heir to Hamilton Holdings is actually a decent guy. Very charitable, treats his employees well.”
“Who cares?” Liana said dismissively. “Hey, don’t worry about me supporting us. I’m starting a big project at work tomorrow. It comes with a bonus. I’ll take care of everything.”
Jacob smiled, his heart warming. “Mrs. Liana, I’m very lucky to have married you.”
One weekend, they went to the luxury mall downtown. “This place is so fancy,” Liana marveled. “No wonder it’s owned by Hamilton Holdings.”
“Want to check out that store?” Jacob pointed to a designer boutique.
“I thought we were tightening the belt,” Liana teased.
“Window shopping is free. Plus, I’ll have money soon. Come on.”
Inside the store, they ran into Rebecca, a girl Liana had known from the orphanage. Rebecca was dripping in designer labels and had a smug boyfriend clinging to her arm.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Liana Miller,” Rebecca sneered. “Aren’t you broke? You don’t belong in a place like this. Do you even know who owns this store?”
“Who is she?” the boyfriend asked.
“A gold-digging bitch who got dumped at her own wedding,” Rebecca said loudly, attracting attention.
“Who are you calling a bitch?” Liana’s face flushed. “And I’m not a gold digger!”
“Baby, don’t get angry,” Jacob said calmly. “These people aren’t worth it.”
“Look at you,” Rebecca continued. “Ryan dumped you and you settled for a security guard? Are you two here planning to steal something?”
“Rebecca, you have no right to judge me,” Liana said. “We came from the same orphanage. You’re just as poor as I am.”
“How dare you!” Rebecca shrieked. “We are nothing alike! My boyfriend is an executive at Hamilton Holdings, earning millions a year. This Chanel dress, this purse, these gemstone rings—all gifts from him. What do you have? A loser in a security vest?”
Jacob had been quietly examining Rebecca’s outfit. Now he spoke, his voice dangerously calm. “Those are fakes. The purse has the wrong stitching pattern. The dress fabric is polyester, not silk. And those ‘gemstones’ are colored glass.”
Rebecca’s face went white. “What did you say?”
“Everything you’re wearing is counterfeit,” Jacob said. “And if your boyfriend really was an executive at Hamilton Holdings, he would recognize me. Because I’m the CEO.”
The boyfriend’s eyes went wide with horror. “Oh my God… you’re… you’re Milton Hamilton…”
“Actually, I prefer Jacob,” he said coolly. “Now leave my wife alone, or you’ll be unemployed before lunch.”
They fled, Rebecca screaming at her boyfriend. Liana stared at Jacob in confusion. “How did you know those were fakes?”
“Lucky guess,” he said with a mysterious smile. Then he pulled out his phone. “James, I want to buy out this entire mall. Mark everything down to 99.9% off for the next hour.”
“What are you doing?” Liana asked.
“Shopping,” he said simply.
Minutes later, announcements echoed through the mall about the incredible sale. Liana couldn’t believe it—thousands of dollars worth of designer clothes for just pennies on the dollar. She got an entire wardrobe for under one hundred dollars.
“Did you know about this sale?” she asked suspiciously as they loaded bags into the car.
“Just lucky timing,” Jacob said. “Today’s a special day.”
“What special day?”
“Close your eyes. I have a surprise.”
He led her to their apartment building’s rooftop. When she opened her eyes, fairy lights were strung everywhere, a small cake sat on a table with candles glowing, and a single red rose lay beside it.
“Happy birthday,” Jacob whispered.
Tears streamed down Liana’s face. “How did you know?”
“The marriage certificate. And I wanted to make it special. You said you grew up in an orphanage. I did too. I know what it’s like when no one remembers your birthday.”
“No one’s ever done this for me before,” Liana sobbed. “This is the first time anyone’s celebrated my birthday.”
Jacob pulled her close. “You deserve this and so much more.”
“Jacob,” she said, looking up at him. “You’re the perfect husband. Even though you’re broke and unemployed, you’re kind and compassionate and caring. You’re everything I ever wanted.”
“You really think so?” he asked softly.
“Yes. So let’s tear up that agreement. Let’s not get divorced. Let’s stay together forever.”
Jacob’s face broke into a brilliant smile. “I was hoping you’d say that. True love can grow over time, right? Let’s give it a real shot.”
They kissed under the stars, both feeling they’d found something miraculous.
The next morning, Jacob’s phone rang early. “Mr. Hamilton, Warner Architects wants to meet this afternoon—”
“Reschedule, James. I need to be home when my wife gets back from work.”
“Sir, you know she still doesn’t know who you really are. When will you tell her?”
Jacob looked at his sleeping wife and smiled. “Soon. But right now, I’m enjoying being loved for who I am, not what I have. She thinks I’m broke and she wants to take care of me anyway. Do you know how rare that is?”
At her office, Liana was called to make coffee for an important VIP from Hamilton Holdings. She carefully prepared the expensive beans, wanting everything perfect.
She didn’t see the man in the office. Didn’t know it was Jacob, watching her through the glass with love in his eyes.
“Sir, when will you tell her?” James asked quietly.
“When the time is right,” Jacob said. “For now, I’m just a security guard married to the most wonderful woman in the world. And that’s enough.”
But secrets, he knew, had a way of revealing themselves. Soon, Liana would learn the truth. He just hoped she’d understand why he’d kept it hidden.
Some love stories start with lies. The best ones survive when truth finally emerges.