Chapter 1
My son lay critical in the ER, blood bank running on fumes. I whipped out Ryan’s donor card, demanding family
priority.
But the nurse cocked her head: “Ma’am, our OB system shows Mr. Hayes has no sons–only a daughter.”
To jump the line, she said, I needed a paternity affidavit from the State Health Department.
At the department, a clerk slid me a printout, face all screwed up. “Ms. Morgan, your file says unmarried. Your kid’s not legitimate. And your spouse‘ Ryan Hayes? He’s married–has a daughter with Kayla Reed.”
My brain short circuited. Kayla was Ryan’s stepsister.
Back at the hospital, the doc shook his head: “We waited too long. I’m sorry, but he didn’t make it.”
After the funeral, I dialed with trembling fingers. “Zane? Meet me at the County Courthouse Monday. Let’s get
married.”
Standing outside the County Courthouse, I was on edge–terrified this leap of faith would end in another lie. Then a all, rugged guy strode toward me. Zane Sterling crushed me in a hug: “Alia, I’ve been waiting for you to dump that
asshole!”
shook my head. “I never married him. Ryan’s hitched to someone else.”
Lane’s brows shot up, but he was grinning. We breezed through the marriage license paperwork. That’s when Ryan called. Zane eyed the caller ID: “He’s not your husband anymore. I am.”
nodded, answering on speaker. “Where are you?” Ryan asked. “Getting a marriage license,” I said flat–out. He aughed: “C’mon, Alia. We’ve been together for years, had a kid–you’re either here for a divorce, not a marriage icense.”
He thought I was bullshitting–figured our kid was his leash. “I know you’re pissed about my trips. I’m headed home.” His words meant nothing now.
After hanging up, Zane traced my cheek. “Ryan conned you with a fake license, no wedding. This is the real deal–I’m throwing you the biggest wedding ever. Gimme two weeks to plan.”
I watched him go, clutching the legit license. No wonder the fake one looked off. I was wiped, crashed hard at home. Half–asleep, I heard Ryan on the phone:
“Kayla, relax–your wedding’s in two weeks. We’re legally married. Alia? She’s obsessed with me. I say jump, she asks how high.”
When I opened my eyes, he feigned concern: “Honey, I heard about the accident. How’s our son?”
16:38
Blood Card Lie: Married a Billionaire to Force Their kneeling Applesuan Mu Cons
0.006
Chapter 1
His panic almost fooled me–till I remembered he hadn’t shown at the hospital. “Where were you these past days?” I
croaked.
He fidgeted: “My stepsister Kayla was sick. I stayed with her.”
I forced a smile: “Of course–you should take care of family.”
“See? You’re always so understanding.” He exhaled in relief. But I’d seen Kayla’s TikTok: her dog was puking, and Ryan was in every video’s corner, playing nurse. My son meant less than her mutt.
“How is he?” Ryan pressed.
