The silence of the mansion was oppressive.
Even in my room, surrounded by luxury I had never dreamed of, I felt trapped. The bed was too soft, the air too crisp, and the space too vast. It wasn't meant for me. Nothing here was.
I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying the events of the day over and over. My marriage to Kieran Weston had been nothing more than a transaction. A cold exchange of power and control, and I was the collateral.
Sleep refused to come.
I turned to my side, the silk sheets whispering against my skin. From the window, I could see the vast estate stretching into the distance, a kingdom of wealth built on secrets. The trees swayed under the moonlight, but their beauty did nothing to ease the unease creeping up my spine.
A sudden knock shattered the silence.
I bolted upright, my heart thudding against my ribs.
The door opened before I could respond, and a tall figure stepped in. The dim light caught the sharp angles of Kieran's face, his expression unreadable as he leaned against the doorway.
"You're still awake," he noted.
I swallowed. "Hard to sleep when you've just signed your life away."
Something flickered in his eyes—amusement, maybe? But it was gone before I could be sure.
"You'll get used to it," he said simply, stepping into the room as if he owned it. And, in a way, he did.
He walked to the window, looking out at the same endless estate I had been staring at minutes ago. The tension in the room thickened.
"I have rules," he said, his voice measured. "You'll follow them if you know what's good for you."
I forced myself to sit up straighter, meeting his gaze. "What kind of rules?"
Kieran turned, his expression impassive. "You don't question me. You don't go where you're not allowed. And above all, you never—never—disobey me in public."
The final rule settled over me like a warning, heavy and undeniable.
I lifted my chin. "And if I do?"
He took a slow step closer. Then another. Until he stood directly in front of me, his presence suffocating.
"Then you'll regret it."
A shiver ran down my spine.
I refused to look away. If this marriage had stolen my freedom, the least I could do was keep my dignity.
Kieran smirked, as if he could see right through me. "Good girl."
I hated how my stomach twisted at those words.
Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving me in the suffocating silence once more.
---
Morning came too soon.
A sharp knock on my door jolted me awake, followed by the crisp voice of William, Kieran's assistant.
"Mrs. Weston, breakfast is in twenty minutes."
Mrs. Weston. The title still felt foreign.
I dragged myself out of bed, quickly freshening up. My clothes were gone, replaced with an array of elegant outfits that screamed wealth. Someone had been in here while I slept.
I chose a simple, knee-length dress in deep blue, the fabric soft against my skin. I had no doubt Kieran's mother would scrutinize every detail of my appearance, looking for a reason to belittle me.
With a deep breath, I made my way downstairs.
The dining room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the estate. The morning sunlight cast a golden glow over the long mahogany table, where Kieran sat at the head, a newspaper in hand.
His mother sat opposite him, her gaze immediately snapping to me the moment I entered.
"She's late," she remarked.
I wasn't.
"Lauren," Kieran said, ignoring his mother's comment. "Sit."
I took the seat beside him, every move calculated. The air in the room was thick with unspoken tension.
A servant poured me coffee, and I murmured a quiet thanks.
"You're not what I expected," his mother said, stirring her tea with deliberate grace.
I met her gaze evenly. "I suppose that makes two of us."
For a split second, there was silence. Then Kieran let out a quiet chuckle. His mother, however, was less amused.
"I assume you know what's expected of you in this marriage?" she asked coolly.
I placed my cup down. "Enlighten me."
She leaned forward slightly. "You are to be an asset to this family. Not a liability. You will be Kieran's wife in every sense—" her sharp eyes flickered to my untouched breakfast "—and that includes producing an heir."
My stomach twisted.
I stole a glance at Kieran, but he gave nothing away.
I turned back to his mother, keeping my expression unreadable. "I wasn't aware we were discussing children this early in the marriage."
"That's because I make the rules in this house," she said smoothly. "And it is in this family's best interest that you understand your role quickly."
The way she spoke, as if I were some breedable stock, made my skin crawl.
"Enough." Kieran's voice cut through the room, sharp and final.
His mother's lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing more.
Breakfast continued in silence.
---
Hours later, I found myself wandering the mansion's gardens, needing space to breathe. The weight of expectations, of rules and power, sat heavy on my shoulders.
I wasn't foolish enough to think I had any control here.
But I wasn't ready to break, either.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned, expecting a servant.
Instead, I found a man watching me.
Tall, dark-haired, with a sharpness in his eyes that sent a ripple of unease through me.
"Lauren Weston," he mused, as if testing the name.
I straightened. "And you are?"
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Call me Damian."
Something about him felt…off.
"You're Kieran's wife now," he said, stepping closer. "That must be quite the adjustment."
I forced a neutral expression. "It is."
Damian chuckled. "Be careful, Lauren. The Weston family isn't as glamorous as they appear."
His gaze lingered a second too long before he turned and walked away, disappearing down the garden path.
A chill crept up my spine.
Who was Damian?
And why did it feel like he had just given me a warning?
I turned back toward the mansion, but the unease stayed with me.
This place held more secrets than I could count.
And somehow, I had just become a part of them.
The moment the door shut behind me, silence pressed in like a heavy weight. My heart still pounded from Kieran's last words, and even though I was alone, I could feel the lingering tension in the air.
Not yet, at least.
His voice echoed in my mind, dark and unreadable. He was a man who held control over everything, and now, that included me. The realization sent a shiver down my spine.
I inhaled sharply, trying to ground myself. The room was luxurious—far beyond anything I had ever experienced—but it wasn't home. It never would be.
A deep sigh escaped my lips as I stood and walked toward the massive window. The city lights stretched endlessly, twinkling like fallen stars. Somewhere out there was the life I had left behind, and for the first time since stepping into Kieran's world, I felt the full weight of what I had done.
I had married a stranger. A dangerous one.
A knock at the door snapped me from my thoughts. My body tensed as I turned, my mind already racing through the possibilities. I expected Kieran, but when I opened the door, it was William, his silver hair as immaculate as ever, his expression unreadable.
"Mr. Weston requests your presence in the dining room," he said smoothly.
I swallowed, straightening my shoulders. "Now?"
"Now," he confirmed. "I suggest you don't keep him waiting."
My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress as I nodded. There was no use delaying the inevitable. I followed William through the grand hallway, my footsteps echoing against the pristine marble floors. The house was even colder at night, the silence unsettling.
When we reached the dining room, my breath caught. The space was massive, dominated by a long table that could easily seat twenty. Yet, only two places were set—one at the head and the other beside it.
Kieran was already there, sitting at the head of the table, his posture as relaxed as ever. He swirled a glass of dark liquid in his hand, watching me as I hesitated at the entrance.
"Sit," he commanded, his voice calm but leaving no room for argument.
I forced my feet to move, lowering myself into the chair beside him. The scent of expensive cologne and aged whiskey lingered in the air, wrapping around me like an unshakable presence.
"You didn't eat earlier," Kieran noted, setting his glass down.
I pressed my lips together. "I wasn't hungry."
He studied me for a moment before gesturing toward the plates of food in front of us. "Eat."
A maid appeared, serving portions onto my plate with practiced efficiency. The food looked exquisite—perfectly seared steak, roasted vegetables, a side of creamy potatoes. But my stomach churned with nerves.
I picked up my fork and took a small bite, forcing myself to eat under his scrutiny. The flavors exploded on my tongue, but I barely registered them. I could feel Kieran's eyes on me, calculating, assessing.
"You haven't asked me any questions yet," he mused after a moment.
I set my fork down carefully. "Should I?"
His lips twitched, but it wasn't quite a smile. "Most women in your position would be desperate for answers. About their new life. About their husband."
"And what if I already know what kind of man you are?" I countered, meeting his gaze.
Something dark flickered in his eyes, a slow, dangerous amusement. "Then that makes this much more interesting."
I swallowed hard, gripping the edge of my napkin. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he looked at me, that made my skin prickle. He was playing a game, one I wasn't sure I could win.
Kieran leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the table. "Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to an event. Consider it your first official duty as my wife."
My stomach twisted. "An event?"
"A business gathering," he clarified. "You'll dress accordingly, smile when necessary, and stay by my side."
I frowned. "So, you want me to play the perfect wife."
His expression remained unreadable. "I want you to play your role. Whether or not you're perfect at it is up to you."
I clenched my jaw, pushing down the frustration bubbling inside me. I had known what I was getting into, hadn't I? I had signed the contract. But hearing the words out loud made it feel more real, more suffocating.
Kieran finished his drink and stood, towering over me. "Don't disappoint me, Lauren."
And just like that, he walked away, leaving me in the empty dining room with a plate of untouched food and a stomach full of unease.
I exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to my chest.
Tomorrow, I will be stepping into his world.
And I had no idea if I would survive it.