The Arranged Bride

On May 20th, Sarah Mason posted a status update on social media: "Single and ready to mingle. PS: Priority to those with good physical health." The accompanying photo was a divorce certificate. This sudden move, much like her unexpected marriage into the Bo family years ago, once again took the social circle by storm. Was she courting danger by implying her ex-husbands infertility?

Bruce Bo, a man known for suing media outlets into bankruptcy for defamation, would he tolerate such an insinuation from his ex-wife, who left the marriage with nothing but the clothes on her back? Twenty minutes later, the social media sphere was abuzz again as a newly registered account commented on Sarahs post, "Take me off your blacklist!"

"Ms. Sarah Mason, have you managed to contact your family?" the nurse asked for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Sarah glanced down at her phone; Bruce Bos number still showed no answer.

A series of collisions had occurred on the North 3rd Ring Overpass in River City, with a bus overturning and falling into the river. Dozens of the injured were brought to the hospital, their families arriving one by one, but Sarahs family was nowhere to be found.

The gruesome scene of the accident was still fresh in her mind, but it was the chill of isolation that truly pierced her heart. A thought crossed her mind: if she had died in this accident, would there even be someone to claim her body?

"Ms. Mason?" Sarah snapped back to reality, her face pale against the spattered blood, her voice hoarse yet refined. "Im sorry, he might be busy. Can I sign the papers myself?"

"Im afraid not, without a family members signature, we recommend hospitalization for observation. A concussion is nothing to take lightly; we are responsible for your life."

Sarah pursed her lips. "Ill try again then."

She stepped out of the ward with her phone, making way for two passing nurses pushing an instrument cart. She overheard one say, "Do you know whos in room sixteen?"

"Who?"

"Rachel Yao! The big star! She was the lead in that popular series, Mysterious Lovers!"

"Wow! Is she badly hurt?"

"Just a scratch on her arm, it would have healed by now if shed come any later. But shes a big star, she makes her living with her face. If I looked like her, Id insure every part of my body!"

"By the way, I saw her boyfriend! The one who was photographed with her at Lakeview Villa recently!"

Sarah froze in her tracks.

"Tall, handsome, and judging by his attire, quite wealthy. Most importantly, hes good to Rachel. The accident happened, and he was here in a flash, using the VIP channel at the hospital, staying by her side the whole time. I mean, same as women, why are some just born winners..."

Their voices faded as they walked away, leaving Sarah gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Outside room sixteen, Bruce Bo was talking to Rachel Yaos agent. Though Sarah was too far away to hear anything, she couldnt shake the feeling that he was blaming someone for Rachels accident.

She took out her phone and dialed Bruces number.

Bruce paused, glanced at his phone, his brows furrowed even more than before.

He answered with an impatient voice, "What is it?"

"Where are you?" Sarahs voice was hoarse, her tone betraying her vulnerability.

Bruce didnt seem to notice, responding coldly, "At the office."

"Does Bo Enterprises extend to hospitals now?" Sarah asked.

Bruce stiffened, his expression darkening, "Are you following me?"

Sarah almost laughed, but her eyes reddened instead. His annoyance cut deep. "You flatter yourself, Mr. Bo," she paused, then added, "I saw someone on the news who looked like you, just checking."

Bruce dismissed her with a "boring" and hung up, disappearing into the ward.

Sarah let out a self-mocking laugh. Indeed, it was boring. She had seen everything with her own eyes and yet made a call to humiliate herself.

It was Tracy Tang who took Sarah home. If not for the lack of family to rely on, Sarah wouldnt have wanted to trouble her friend. No one wants to expose their tattered life to others, be it ridicule or sympathy; both only added to her embarrassment.

"Wheres Bruce?" Tracy asked.

"At the office, I guess," was his response.

Tracy cursed under her breath as she gripped the steering wheel, "That dog of a man, doesnt even come when his wife has an accident. Is he earning all that money to buy a coffin for himself?"

Sarah joked back, "Maybe its for me."

Tracy glared at her, "You still have the mood to joke! There was a dead person in the car behind you!"

"Yes," Sarah murmured, her voice barely audible, "I almost died..."

Tracy had an urgent matter and left Sarah at her doorstep.

Sarah greeted the housekeeper and went upstairs after arriving home.

After taking a shower, the traffic accident on North 3rd Ring had made it to the trending topics, but most of the headlines were about Rachel Yao.

Apart from official media concerned with the severity of the accident, the entertainment media focused on Rachels mysterious boyfriend.

Bruce Bos identity was not disclosed by the media, only hinting that he was a man of significant wealth. Rachels fans were busy denying the romance while flooding the comment sections with concern for Rachels condition.

Sarah found it somewhat amusing; the nurse had said Rachel had only a minor scrape. Were these people making a mountain out of a molehill?

But soon, her expression darkened, and her heart clenched: Rachel had posted a pregnancy test on her social media.

Six weeks pregnant, and six weeks ago was the day he was photographed at Lakeview Villa.

The timing matched.

Sarah stared at the screen, her heart crumpled.

Three years of marriage, a blank sheet.

Bruce had been with Rachel before marrying Sarah, but Mrs. Bo, disapproving of Rachels background, had forced them apart.

Bruce, in a state of despair, chose Sarah, the one with the least prestigious family, to defy his own.

The Masons sought the Bo familys protection, and Bruce sought her status; their marriage was a match made for mutual benefit.

No one knew that what she sought was Bruce himself.

In love, the one who moves first loses first. Rachels existence was like a thorn in her marriage.

She tried to ignore it, let it grow into her flesh, thinking she could endure it, but the thorn took root and blossomed, tearing her marriage apart.

Her persistence had become the biggest joke.

When Bruce returned, it was almost ten oclock at night.

The downstairs was quiet, with only the housekeeper present.

"Where is she?" Bruce asked.

The housekeeper took his coat and whispered, "Madam went to her room as soon as she got home and hasnt come out since, not even for dinner."

Bruce frowned.

"Ill heat up the porridge and take it to her room," the housekeeper offered.

"No need," Bruce replied indifferently, "Shell come down if shes hungry."

The housekeeper didnt ask further.

Bruce took a shower and stayed in his study for a while. At eleven, he checked his watch.

Usually, by this time, Sarah would bring in a cup of milk, even during arguments, she would have the housekeeper deliver it.

But today, more than ten minutes past eleven, there was no movement from the study door.

Unable to focus on his documents, he gave up after a few more minutes and returned to the bedroom.

He pushed open the door to a dark room, barely making out the figure lying on the bed.