The Ex-Con I Married Is Hiding a Crown Novel – Chapter 1 Are You Trying to Seduce Me? “Let me introduce myself. I’m Willa Jones, twenty years old, and currently studying at Caelum Medical College in Harbority,” Willa said, reaching out politely as she looked up at the man before her. Even now, she could hardly believe that just four hours ago, she’d gotten married to this man. “Jason Blair,” Jason replied, his hand strong and elegant as he gave Willa’s hand a gentle shake. Then he went back to that same cold, untouchable demeanor he’d had before. He had a buzz cut, his chiseled face framed by deep, narrow eyes. Beneath his straight nose, his thin lips were pressed firmly together. He looked elegant and refined, yet a ruthless edge lingered naturally in every part of him. Strangely enough, those two conflicting sides of him seemed to fit together perfectly. “Mind if I ask why you ended up in prison?” Willa blurted out, remembering she’d met him at the prison gate. “Murder.” Willa couldn’t help but flinch. ‘Can I get a divorce now?’ When she looked up and met his deep, dangerous gaze, she instantly chickened out.
She quickly pulled a key off her keychain and held it out to him. “Um, here’s the key to my apartment. From now on, it’ll be our… home.” Jason didn’t take the key, his expression unreadable as he murmured, “Home?” “Yeah, we’re married now, so of course this is our home. Have a seat. I’ll go clean up a bit,” Willa said. Willa stuffed the key into his hand, took a deep breath, and started tidying up the apartment that had been empty for a long time. ‘A murderer? Fine,’ Willa told herself. ‘At least now the Joneses can’t pull the strings in my marriage anymore. ‘It’s said that the Blair family’s eldest son has a terrible temper and is hideously ugly. No way am I being married off to him.’ With that thought, she felt much lighter and set about tidying the room with greater energy. Before long, she completely forgot Jason was there. When her phone rang and she ran out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she slammed straight into his solid chest. She couldn’t help but scream, instinctively pulling the towel up, only to have her long legs on full display.
Jason’s gaze traveled slowly up her legs, his eyes growing darker. “W-What are you looking at?” Willa stammered, nervously tugging the towel down again. But that only made it slip loose, draping over her body in a downright tempting way. Jason pulled her into his arms, his voice husky. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Willa’s phone kept ringing. Jason’s hot, masculine scent washed over her, and instantly, her body went stiff. “N-No, I just forgot you were here.” “Forgot?” Jason’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his grip on her waist tightening. It was the first time any woman had ever said she forgot about him. Sensing the danger rolling off him, Willa quickly corrected herself. “I didn’t mean to forget. “I was in such a hurry to grab my phone that I said the wrong thing. Let me go answer it, and then we can continue. Okay?” Although they were married, she barely knew him. No way was she about to give herself up that easily. But he seemed way too dangerous for her to say no to. All she could do was stall and try to buy herself some time. “Continue?” Jason raised an eyebrow and let her go without hesitation. “Fine. But I don’t like being lied to.” “I swear I didn’t lie to you,” Willa quickly said, trying her best to sound convincing. The second she was free, she yanked her towel tight and scrambled through the closet for a coat.
She was on the verge of tears. ‘What kind of dangerous guy did I get myself mixed up with?’ Once she had her coat on, she fished her phone out of her bag. The ringtone had already stopped. She checked her missed calls: it was her father, Victor. Taking a deep breath, she called him back, and the call connected almost immediately. Victor’s annoyed voice filled the room. “Willa, where are you? Get home right now. Your mom and I need to talk to you about marrying the Blair heir.” At the mention of “the Blair heir,” Jason’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. But it was gone in a flash, and Willa didn’t notice a thing. She gripped her phone tightly, trying to keep her voice steady. “Dad, I’m afraid I can’t marry him like you want. I’m already married.” “You damn brat!” Victor exploded on the other end. Just as he was about to keep yelling, his wife Margaret shot him a look and took the phone from his hand. “Willa, your dad’s looking out for you. The Blairs are the wealthiest family in Harbority. Marry into that family, and not only will you get your mom’s inheritance, but you’ll practically rule Harbority,” Margaret said, her voice dripping with fake concern.
Willa couldn’t help but sneer, “Everyone knows the Blair heir has a terrible temper and is ugly as sin. If it’s really that great, why don’t you let Yolanda marry him?” Margaret was her stepmother. For years, she and Victor had played good cop, bad cop. Willa had already seen through them. But marriage was a matter of a lifetime for her. She would absolutely not back down. “Yolanda’s in showbiz; she can’t get married right now,” Margaret said, embarrassed. She hadn’t expected Willa to shut her down so bluntly. “Margaret, why are you wasting your breath on her?” Victor barked, his patience totally shot. He snatched the phone back from Margaret and ordered, “Enough excuses, Willa. You’re coming home tomorrow to discuss your marriage.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up. Willa stood frozen, blinking as her eyes stung with dryness. After all these years, she’d seen how cold the Jones family was. She’d never waste another tear on them. “You married me on a whim because you heard the Blair heir is bad-tempered and ugly?” Jason suddenly asked, his long fingers tilting her chin up. Willa looked up into his deep, mysterious eyes. “I…” Willa started to explain, but the words died in her throat. She didn’t want to lie anymore. “I’m sorry,” she said guiltily. “That is part of the reason.” Noticing the anger clouding Jason’s eyes, she quickly added, “But don’t worry.
Now that I’ve married you, I’m going to take responsibility. “I know you just got out and don’t have a job. I’ll work extra shifts and support you. You won’t go hungry, I promise.” The anger faded from Jason’s eyes, replaced by a vague smile. “What about… marital duties?” With a flick of his long fingers, Willa’s robe slipped off her shoulders and fell to the floor. Her perfect figure was completely exposed, and Jason’s breathing grew uneven. Chapter 2 Give Me Some Time Willa instinctively covered her chest, startled. Jason was her husband now, and it was normal for them to be intimate. But she wasn’t ready to go that far yet. To Jason, however, it seemed like she was playing hard to get. He suddenly scooped her up in his arms, strode into the bedroom, and laid her down on the bed. He leaned over her, his masculine scent filling her senses, and his movements grew bolder. Willa instinctively struggled. “Let me go.” Feeling that she meant it, Jason asked, his voice low and rough, “This is your first time?” “Yeah. Could you maybe give me some time?” Willa looked up at him pleadingly. She’d dated Zach Stanton for three years, but the most they’d ever done was a peck on the cheek.
Actually, she’d gone to Zach’s place today hoping to marry him. Instead, she’d walked in on him sleeping with another girl from their program. Otherwise, she never would’ve married a random stranger on impulse. Her eyes dimmed at the memory. Three years together, and Zach had cheated. It hurt, no matter how much she tried to pretend it didn’t. “If you don’t want to, we’ll wait,” Jason said, his expression neutral as he pulled his hand back and lay down beside her. Jason knew he was a good man, but he’d never force a woman. “Thank you,” Willa murmured, feeling a wave of relief. She quickly put her clothes back on and burrowed under the covers. They both fell silent. The room became eerily quiet. Eventually, sleep crept up on Willa. Her eyes grew heavy and closed, her breathing settling into a slow, steady rhythm. Only then did Jason slip out of bed and quietly leave the room. A man dressed as a bodyguard suddenly appeared in the hallway, looking at Jason with pure admiration. “Mr. Blair, you finally came out. “Your plan worked perfectly. Ever since you walked away from Blair Group, things have been falling apart. No one can clean up the mess. Now your parents are nearly desperate to bring you back.” “Let them keep waiting until they are really desperate,” Jason sneered, casually pulling out a cigarette and placing it between his lips.