Unwelcoming Role

Helen's Point Of View:

As we approached the hospital, my nerves began to tighten. The gravity of the situation was sinking in—introducing myself as Xander's wife, even temporarily, was more than just a facade; it was a necessary step in gaining the trust of those around him and securing my place in his world. I had to play the part convincingly, not only for my benefit but to protect the tenuous relationship I was forming with this powerful man.

When we arrived, the driver swiftly exited the vehicle and opened the door for us. I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Xander, who was already out of the car and waiting for me. His cold demeanor hadn't softened in the least, and his impatience was palpable. I gathered my thoughts and stepped out of the car, reminding myself that this was my chance to begin unraveling the mystery behind Jonah's drastic change.

The hospital was a stark contrast to the opulence of Xander's mansion. Its sterile white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic hit me as we walked through the entrance. Nurses and doctors moved briskly through the corridors, and the quiet hum of medical machinery was a constant background noise.

Xander led the way, his long strides forcing me to quicken my pace to keep up. Despite his intimidating presence, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of safety with him. He exuded an air of control and confidence that was almost comforting, even if his demeanor was cold and detached.

As we reached the VIP section of the hospital, Xander stopped in front of a large wooden door. He turned to face me, his expression unreadable.

"Remember, this is strictly business," he said, his voice low and firm. "My grandfather is old and fragile. Do not let him suspect anything."

I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. This was my first test in proving my worth in this arrangement, and I couldn't afford to falter.

He pushed the door open, revealing a spacious, well-furnished room. The light streamed in softly through the large windows, and at the center of the room lay an elderly man on the bed, connected to several medical devices. His skin was pale, and the lines on his face were deep, but there was a sense of dignity and wisdom in his eyes as they met mine.

"Grandpa," Xander greeted, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "This is Helen."

The elderly man, who I assumed to be Xander's grandfather, studied me carefully. His gaze was penetrating, as if he could see right through the facade I was putting on. I forced a smile, hoping it would appear genuine.

"Helen," the man repeated, his voice weak but steady. "I've heard a lot about you."

My heart skipped a beat. What had Xander told him? I glanced at Xander, but his face was as stoic as ever, offering no clues.

"Grandpa, I thought it was time you met my wife," Xander continued, placing a hand on my back, guiding me closer to the bed.

"Your wife," his grandfather echoed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see."

The old man seemed to weigh his words carefully before speaking again. "You must be very special to have captured my grandson's attention."

I felt a pang of guilt at his words, knowing that this was all a ruse. But I had to play along, to earn his trust just as much as Xander's. "Thank you, sir. It's an honor to meet you."

He nodded slowly, his gaze still piercing. "Tell me, Helen, how do you find married life with Xander?"

The question caught me off guard, and I stumbled for a moment, searching for the right words. "It's...an adventure," I finally said, forcing another smile. "Xander has been very good to me."

Xander's grandfather chuckled, a sound that was more of a dry cough. "I imagine it must be. My grandson is not an easy man to live with."

I could feel Xander's eyes on me, gauging my reaction. I needed to steer this conversation in a direction that would avoid any suspicion. "He's a strong-willed man," I agreed, choosing my words carefully. "But I admire his dedication and loyalty. It's something I've come to appreciate deeply."

The old man seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Loyalty is a rare quality these days. I'm glad to hear that you see that in him."

There was a moment of silence, and I could tell that the conversation had taken a more serious tone. I wondered if this was my chance to gain some insight, to learn something about the family dynamics that might help me later on.

"Xander, I want to speak to Helen alone," his grandfather suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Xander's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Of course, Grandpa." He glanced at me, his expression still unreadable, before turning and leaving the room.

Once the door closed behind him, I turned my attention back to the elderly man, feeling the weight of his gaze on me.

"Helen," he began slowly, "I may be old, but I'm not a fool. I know when something isn't quite right."

My heart raced. Had he seen through the act already? I tried to maintain my composure, but it was becoming increasingly difficult under his scrutinizing gaze.

"You seem like a good person," he continued, his voice softer now. "But I can tell that there's more to this marriage than what meets the eye."

I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up a hand to stop me.

"I don't need you to explain anything to me," he said with a faint smile. "But know this: whatever it is you're searching for, I hope you find it. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."

His words caught me off guard, and I felt a lump forming in my throat. This man, despite knowing so little about me, was offering his support. It was unexpected, and for a moment, I wondered if I could trust him. Could he be an ally in this confusing, dangerous situation?

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He smiled again, the lines on his face deepening. "Take care of my grandson, Helen. He may seem cold, but deep down, he's still the boy I raised."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his words. "I will."

Before I could say anything else, the door opened, and Xander re-entered the room. His expression was unreadable as he glanced between his grandfather and me.

"Everything alright?" he asked, his tone as neutral as ever.

"Yes, Xander," his grandfather replied, his voice gentle. "Helen and I were just getting to know each other."

Xander gave a curt nod, then turned to me. "It's time to go."

I followed him out of the room, my mind racing with the old man's words. There was so much more to this family than I had initially thought, and if I was going to uncover the truth behind Jonah's change, I needed to tread carefully.

As we left the hospital, I knew one thing for certain—I was in deep, and there was no turning back now. As Xander and I walked out of the hospital, the crisp evening air provided a slight contrast to the sterile environment we had just left. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the city as the sun began to set. Xander's pace was brisk, his demeanor as composed and aloof as ever. I struggled to match his stride, the tension between us palpable, though unspoken.

As we reached the hospital entrance, two women emerged from a sleek black car parked at the curb. One of them caught my attention immediately—her tall, slender frame, striking blue eyes, and dark hair bore a remarkable resemblance to Xander. The other woman, though equally beautiful, had softer features, with warm brown eyes and auburn hair cascading in waves over her shoulders.

Xander slowed his pace as we approached them, and I could feel the tension radiating off him. The taller woman with the striking resemblance to him was the first to speak, her voice carrying a note of familiarity.

"Xander, who is this?" she asked, her eyes flicking to me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"This is Helen," Xander replied smoothly, not missing a beat. "She's my girlfriend."

Both women gasped, their eyes widening in surprise. I felt my heart skip a beat, nerves tightening in my stomach. Xander’s lie hung in the air, and I forced myself to maintain a calm facade, even as I felt my pulse quicken.

The woman who resembled Xander composed herself first. "Girlfriend?" she echoed, her tone disbelieving as she looked me up and down.

"Yes," Xander confirmed, his voice firm. "Helen, this is my younger sister, Alexa," he gestured to the woman with the striking resemblance to him. "And this is Chloe," he indicated the auburn-haired woman, "a close friend of mine."

I noticed Chloe’s expression shift, her smile faltering for just a moment before she masked it. Disappointment flashed in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. She quickly regained her composure, but the brief flicker of emotion didn’t escape my notice.

"What are you doing here, Chloe?" Xander asked, his tone carrying a subtle edge.

Before Chloe could respond, Alexa chimed in, her voice a touch too bright. "I brought Chloe here. She wanted to pay Grandpa a visit."

The words sounded innocent enough, but something in Alexa’s tone set off alarm bells in my mind. I had always been good at reading people, and I could tell that she wasn’t being entirely truthful. There was something more going on beneath the surface.

Despite the unease simmering inside me, I remained silent, choosing to observe rather than speak. My eyes flicked to Chloe, who was now studying me with a slight frown, her earlier disappointment still lingering just beneath the surface.

Xander seemed oblivious to the tension, or perhaps he simply didn’t care. "Let's go," he said curtly, turning to face me.

I nodded, trying to steady my nerves. As I followed him, I caught one last glance at Chloe, who was staring at me with a frown. It was clear that my presence, and perhaps the role I was playing, was unwelcome in her eyes.