he had crossed an invisible line, one that tethered her to a life she wasn't ready for. The cold and empty man

ngs to me. There was something so final, so absolute in the way he said it. Emma had n

personal here, something deeper than the transactional marriage they had agreed

e doubted she would get an

eerily quiet, and the mansion felt like a maze of secrets and hidden agendas. It was strange being in such a gr

e buzzed again, pulling her from her tho

u're okay? Call

tell her mother that she had entered a contract marriage with a man like Al

e, Mom. I'll call tomorrow-before sl

ed onto the bed, exhaustion weighing down on her like a heavy blanket. She

th a man as controlling and dangerous as Alexander? And w

ff, she was jolted awake by flashes of memory-of the night with Alexander, of h

won out, and Emma fel

oaned softly, turning over in the bed and trying to gather her thoughts. Last n

dream. It was

mma had no idea what her day would look like, or what Alexander expected from her. Did

shake off the lingering sleepiness. She stared at her reflection in the mirror-pale skin,

his wasn't who she

mfortable blouse, not feeling like playing the role of the b

old and quiet as the night before. The silence weighed hea

mell of coffee filled the air, and for a moment, Emma allowed herself to breathe a little easie

e set down a cup of coffee in front of her.

hearing it. "Good morning," she replied, taking a sip o

d like for breakfast?" Mary aske

ma said, gesturing to

n't just stay hidden away in this mansion, waiting for whatever plans Alexander had in store. She

exander's voice brok

e up e

his expression unreadable as always. He looked completely at ease, like last night

ma admitted, her voice qu

wn across from her, his eyes studying her face for a moment. "I told you thi

aze. "Because right now, it feels li

ace, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

," she shot back, her frustration bubbling

orce you, Emma. You agreed to this. You came to me for help

back down. "I agreed to save my father,

voice remained controlled. "You'

don't care about me, Alexander. You o

the air thick with unspoken truths. Alexander stared

the confrontation. "I have a meeting to attend," he said coldly, hi

d out, leaving Emma sitting at the kitche

ander was a man who thrived on control, on power, and she had just challen

er, or would he finally show h

for certain: she couldn't let