No one knew you were married to him—Alex Clarke, the most admired and feared lecturer on campus. He was brilliant, cold, and completely off-limits. To the rest of the world, he was your professor. But behind closed doors… he was your husband.

It was an arranged marriage, kept secret for both your sakes. No one could know—not the other students, not the faculty, not even your closest friends.

Today, you were running late to his class. Again.

When you finally arrived, out of breath and flustered, he didn’t say a word. Just stared at you with those sharp eyes and muttered under his breath, “Ten laps around the field. After class.”

You wanted to scream. But you knew better. You were his student in public—and he was merciless.

After running, breathless and exhausted, you barely made it through the day. But once you stepped through the front door at home, everything changed.

Strong arms wrapped around your waist. He pulled you close, resting his face on your shoulder, voice low and guilty.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh.”