Secret Marriage: The CEO's Pampered Wife

William returned to his office, exhausted. He took out his phone. He couldn’t wait any longer.

After returning home, Georgia Thorne was restless. She went to bed without even eating dinner.

She thought about Aidan Sheridan’s condition, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Around eight o’clock, Georgia Thorne received a call from an unknown number.

She assumed it was a telemarketer and was about to hang up, but the man on the other end of the line said her name. She froze for a second. "May I ask who’s calling?"

William stood before the hospital room, gazing through the small window at Aidan Sheridan in his bed. "My name is William. I’m Aidan Sheridan’s attending physician."

Georgia Thorne’s mind reeled. She instantly recognized the voice and collapsed onto the bed.

’The inevitable has arrived.’

"Miss Thorne, we should meet."

Aidan Sheridan had little to do with her, so there was no reason to meet. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, she found herself agreeing to William’s request.

After hanging up, her heart sank. She stared blankly ahead, her eyes vacant.

The meeting was set for the hospital where Aidan was staying.

William was a Chinese-Vesperian, born and raised in Vesperia, who had only moved back to the country as a teenager.

"Hello, Miss Thorne."

Georgia Thorne looked uneasily at the tall man across from her. "I want to go see him."

Without any preamble, Georgia Thorne got straight to the point.

William raised an eyebrow and led her toward Aidan Sheridan’s room, studying Georgia Thorne closely as they walked.

’She seems even thinner than when I saw her at the hospital. And her complexion... why is she so pale and worn?’

They walked in silence. Wanting to engage her more, William struck up a conversation. "Have you never come to the hospital to see Aidan before?"

"No." She hadn’t even known a person like him existed.

William raised an eyebrow. Seeing how distracted she was, he didn’t press the conversation.

Aidan Sheridan was currently in the intensive care unit, sleeping with an oxygen mask on.

Aidan Sheridan was only two or three years older than Georgia Thorne, but due to his long-term coma, he looked no older than a teenager.

This was the first time Georgia Thorne had ever seen Aidan Sheridan. She stood at the window. "He looks like he’s in a lot of pain."

His brow was furrowed, even in sleep.

"That’s normal. He just had surgery yesterday, and the anesthetic has worn off. It’s to be expected," William said, unfazed. "In fact, this is him doing well. The real pain was when he first woke up."

"Aidan has been frail and sickly since he was a boy. Later, we found out his kidneys were failing and he needed a transplant. Elliot and I searched for a suitable donor for a long time without success. Finding you was a miracle. I’m begging you, please help him." William looked at her with sincerity. "I’ll be honest with you—Elliot and I have known each other since we were children. Aidan isn’t just his brother; he’s like a brother to me, too. As a doctor, I’ll never give up on my patient. And as a big brother, I’m begging you, Miss Thorne—please save my little brother!"

"..."

Georgia Thorne was speechless, turning her head to stare in silence.

"I should go," Georgia Thorne finally said.

William had assumed Georgia Thorne was a compassionate woman, that her heart would be moved by the sight of the sickly Aidan.

But her expression and tone were cold, betraying not a hint of compassion.

Seeing her turn to leave, he blurted out, "Miss Thorne, why do you really think Elliot is with you?"

Georgia Thorne’s heart sank. She turned slowly to look at William.

Her lips parted slightly. "What did you say?"

"Georgia, some things I shouldn’t have to spell out, you should understand them yourself. Maybe Elliot has grown to like you a little, but his initial reason for approaching you was none other than Aidan. You will never understand how important Aidan is to him," William said, enunciating every word.

She heard every single word with perfect clarity, and her face turned so pale that the color drained even from her lips.

William raised an eyebrow. "You must know Elliot had a first love he’s never forgotten, right? She returned not long ago. How much longer do you think you’ll get to be Mrs. Sheridan?"

"..."

Georgia Thorne knew little of Elliot Sheridan’s past, and he had certainly never mentioned his first love to her.

The little she did know had come from Selena Sheridan.

Rumor had it that no one dared mention his first love in front of Elliot; the topic had become taboo.

No one dared to cross that line. And now, that person was about to return.

Georgia Thorne returned to her apartment in a daze, her heart aching with a bitter sorrow.

’What was Elliot’s first love like?’

She suddenly recalled something Selena Sheridan had said a long, long time ago: Elliot had once loved a woman so deeply that he fell into a long, dark slump for her sake.

She wanted to know just how long Elliot had languished for that woman, and what he had become during that time.

The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached, and she found herself calling Byron Shaw.

It was midday for Georgia, but midnight where Byron was.

He was just about to fall asleep when the call from Georgia came.

"What’s wrong?"

Georgia opened her mouth, but she found she couldn’t make a sound, unable to voice the question she so desperately wanted to ask.

"Nothing, I just... wanted to call you," Georgia said, changing her tune.

Byron Shaw instinctively knew something was on her mind. If she wouldn’t say what it was, he couldn’t very well force her.

After a few more pleasantries, he hung up and immediately called Nathan Rhodes.

Byron still didn’t feel at ease leaving Georgia on her own. Luckily, Nathan worked at the same company and could keep an eye on her for him.

Nathan Rhodes was working overtime, but he dropped what he was doing. "Why are you calling me?"

"She seemed a little off today. Did something happen? Do you know?" Byron Shaw asked, his voice grave.

Under normal circumstances, Georgia wouldn’t call him just to chat. He could tell she had wanted to say something but ultimately held back.

Nathan Rhodes furrowed his brow in thought, and then it clicked. "Our company is collaborating with Elliot Sheridan’s company on a project. Georgia’s on the team. She’s supposed to report to the Sheridan Group on Monday."

That must be why Georgia was acting so strangely.

"Talk to her when you get the chance. She must be going through a lot right now."

"I know."

"I’m counting on you to look after Georgia."

Georgia sat numbly on her bed. The sun slowly descended, its afterglow spilling into the room and scattering across the floor.

Only when she heard the doorbell did Georgia slowly stir and go to open it.

The visitor was none other than Naomi Shaw.

Her hand on the doorknob froze. She stared at the woman in front of her, forgetting even to speak.

Naomi Shaw knew it was awkward to show up unannounced, but she couldn’t bear it any longer.

Ever since hearing that Georgia was staying at Byron’s apartment, she had been wanting to come visit every single day.

Naomi Shaw had brought some groceries. "Is Byron not home?"

Naomi knew her way around the apartment. She used to come over for dinner often, so she navigated to the kitchen with familiar ease, bags in hand.

When she came out, Georgia was still standing by the door, watching her with a blank expression.

Her smile was a bit strained. "Georgia, I just wanted to come see you. If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave right now."

Georgia looked at the disappointment and awkwardness in the woman’s gaze and said softly, "You don’t have to."

’This is Byron’s home, and Naomi is his sister. I’m just a guest here. What right do I have to tell her to leave?’

At her words, Naomi immediately brightened, a smile returning to her face. "Georgia, you haven’t eaten dinner yet, have you? Let me cook for you."

Without waiting for a reply, as if afraid Georgia would refuse, she hurried back into the kitchen and got busy.

Naomi was a skilled cook. After more than an hour, she had prepared a whole table of food.

She brought out the soup. "Go on, try it. I wasn’t sure what you like to eat."

Naomi had spent very little time with Georgia. She had given her to Yara Joyce to raise and hadn’t seen her since.

Georgia took a bite of food under Naomi’s expectant gaze and offered her assessment, "It’s delicious."

Naomi was naturally happy to hear that, but from Georgia’s expression, she didn’t seem to be enjoying it as much as she claimed.

Feeling a little anxious, she said, "If it’s good, then eat more."

’Georgia was her daughter, after all. She’s so thin, just skin and bones. As her mother, it was painful to see.’

However, Georgia had a small appetite. After just a few bites, she put down her chopsticks. "I’m full."

’She’s full already?’

Naomi Shaw looked at her in surprise. The rice bowl was still half-full, and she had barely touched the other dishes. She had eaten almost nothing.

"Eat a little more. You’re too thin."

"I’m fine." Georgia put her chopsticks down and headed for her room.

Before she went in, she turned back and said, "Ms. Shaw, if you’re heading out, please remember to turn off the living room light."

That sentence sent Naomi’s newly lifted spirits crashing back to rock bottom.

Georgia was still pushing her away, treating her like a stranger.

Looking at the feast on the table, she lost her own appetite. She cleaned up all the dishes.

From her room, Georgia listened to the sounds from outside. A long time passed before she heard the front door close.

’Naomi must be gone.’

On her first day reporting to the Sheridan Group, Georgia Thorne arrived bright and early.

Sitting in the new office, Georgia felt a little awkward. Fortunately, Wendy Young was sitting next to her.

Wendy Young was as lively and cheerful as ever. "Georgia, good morning!"

Almost everyone had arrived at the office, and they all immersed themselves in their work.

At noon, Nancy Hughes came running to her office. "Georgia, hurry, come out!"

Georgia was busy coloring a line draft, completely absorbed in her work, and it took someone else to get her attention.

"Georgia, Nancy is calling for you!" The reminder came from Kai, a refined and handsome man whose gentle eyes held the glimmer of a smile.

Georgia looked up to see Nancy waving at her from the doorway. She hastily put down her pen and stood up.

At Nancy’s summons, she hurried out.

Behind her, Kai let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle.

Nancy and Georgia had lunch together in the employee cafeteria. "So, are you commuting with Elliot these days?"

Georgia gave an awkward laugh, and Nancy continued, "After we eat, I’ll take you on a tour of the company. You can see just how powerful your husband’s empire really is!"

Nancy chattered on happily. It seemed she couldn’t go more than a couple of sentences without mentioning "Elliot" or "your husband."