Why Marry Me IF You Hate Me, Captain.

  SECRET WIFE

AMELIA’S POV

I'm Amelia Hilton, and I'm married to the hottest hockey captain on campus, Draven Hilton. 

For two years, he was my biggest crush.

From sophomore year until our junior year of college, I admired him from afar. Every game, every practice, every stolen glance only made me fall harder. So when we finally started dating, I believed fate had answered my prayers. I had finally gotten the man I'd loved for so long.

Draven wasn't expressive. He rarely smiled, rarely talked about his feelings, and almost never showed affection in public. I convinced myself that was simply who he was.

Six months ago, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the happiest day of my life. But there was one condition: our marriage had to be a secret. 

Draven said he wanted to protect his career and keep people from bothering us. I agreed because I have spent years making sure no one at school knows who I really am. I like living a normal life instead of being known as the heiress to the Dynamic Hair empire.

My parents, who hold a lot of power and influence in the city, were strongly against the idea. They couldn't understand why their daughter had to hide her own marriage. But I defended him, insisting that it was my choice. Only then did they agree.

Now, three months into our marriage, only our best friends on campus knew that we were married. No one else knew I was married to the school’s most desired man. And somehow, my own husband acted as if I didn't exist.

"You are my husband!" I shouted, my voice trembling with frustration. "We've hidden our relationship for six months already. All I'm asking is to spend a little time with you on campus. Why is that so hard, Draven?"

He didn't even look at me. Slipping his backpack over one shoulder, he walked toward the front door.

"You make it hard to stay home with you because of your constant nagging," he said coldly. Then, just like that, he left.

The front door slammed shut behind him. I stood frozen, my chest tightening as tears burned my eyes. He was driving to campus, but he wouldn't even let me ride with him. I covered my face, trying to stop the tears, when my phone suddenly rang. 

It was Lily, my best friend. “Amelia!" she exclaimed the moment I answered. "Where are you? Professor Harrison's Corporate Finance lecture starts in just five minutes!"

My heart skipped. “I'm on my way," I replied before ending the call.

I grabbed my tote bag and hurried out of our bedroom. As I rushed downstairs, our housekeeper, Nana, was standing in the foyer.

She smiled warmly. “Good morning, ma'am. Breakfast is ready."

"I'll eat when I return," I said, forcing a small smile as I rushed past her.

Outside, my beige Toyota Corolla was already waiting. I slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove toward campus.

I arrived on campus, grabbed my bag, and hurried into the classroom just as Professor Harrison began his lecture.

Trying not to draw attention to myself, I slipped into my seat between Anna and my best friend, Lily.

Lily glanced at me, her brows knitting together with concern. “God, you look like you ran all the way here."

"I practically did," I muttered, trying to catch my breath.

Anna leaned back in her chair with a thrilled grin. “I seriously can't wait for this weekend's game between the Boston Wolves and the Wildcats. I'm rooting for the Wolves, obviously. My Draven is going to destroy them." She sighed dreamily. "Gosh... if I ever made that man mine, it'd be over for every girl in this college. I would flaunt him every single day."

Each word felt like a tiny arrow twisting deeper into my chest.

Lily shot me a sympathetic look before turning to Anna. “What if he already has a girlfriend?" she asked. "Maybe he's just keeping his relationship private."

Anna burst into laughter. “Not a chance!" she whispered. "Why would any girl date Draven Hilton and keep it a secret? That's impossible. He's every girl's dream. If he were mine, everyone on campus would know it."

My fingers squeezed around my pen. If only she knew. Lily looked at me again, silently apologizing with her eyes, but I only forced a smile that didn't quite reach my face.

"She's right," I murmured softly before shaking my head. "Can we please pay attention? Professor Harrison is literally teaching."

Anna rolled her eyes but turned back to the front of the class, and I did the same. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, Anna's words echoed in my mind. If he were hers, everyone on campus would know it. The painful truth was he was mine. Yet I was the only woman who couldn't even walk beside him.

After class, the three of us headed to the canteen. We were starving, especially me. I had skipped breakfast after my argument with Draven, and my stomach was protesting all through Professor Harrison's lecture.

I unwrapped my sandwich and had barely taken a few bites when the atmosphere around us suddenly shifted.

The once noisy canteen erupted into excited whispers. 

Anna grabbed my arm, practically bouncing in her seat. “Oh my God..."

Curious, I looked up. My heart stopped. Draven had just walked into the canteen. I mean my nonchalant husband. 

Beside him was a beautiful red-haired girl, and trailing behind them were the rest of the Wolves hockey team. The girl laughed at something he said, walking comfortably at his side. A lump formed in my throat. So, he would rather be seen with another woman than with his own wife.

For a split second, our eyes met. Then, just as quickly, he looked away and continued toward another table as if I were nothing more than another student.

The whispers around the canteen grew louder.

"He's so hot.."

"I wish I were the girl walking beside him."

"Aren't they dating? I've seen her with him so many times."

"That's Molly. She's one of the Ice Girls. They look so good together."

Every sentence felt like another crack spreading across my heart. I lowered my gaze, trying to ignore them, but the words refused to stop.

"Amelia..." Lily's voice sounded distant.

"Amelia!"

I blinked. “Yeah. What?"

She stared at my hands. “You're crushing your sandwich."

I looked down. Without realizing it, I had squeezed it so tightly that the filling had oozed between my fingers, leaving mayonnaise and vegetables smeared across my hand. 

My appetite vanished. My chest tightened, and I struggled to breathe normally. If I stayed another second, I was going to cry. I grabbed my bag and stood abruptly.

"Amelia!" Lily called after me.

I didn't stop. I couldn't. Not while everyone admired the woman standing beside my husband, when I was supposed to be the one beside him.