Chapter 4: The First Night

The car ride was silent.

Too silent.

Lina sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

Her wedding dress felt heavier now.

Like chains.

Beside her, Adrian looked completely relaxed, scrolling through his phone as if he hadn’t just gotten married.

As if she didn’t exist.

The city lights blurred past the window, but Lina’s thoughts were louder than anything outside.

What have I done?

She stole a glance at him.

Cold.

Calm.

Untouchable.

Exactly the kind of man she should have stayed away from.

“You’re staring,” he said suddenly, without looking up.

Lina quickly looked away.

“I’m not.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“Lying already? That didn’t take long, wife.”

Her chest tightened at the word.

“Don’t call me that,” she muttered.

This time, he turned to look at her.

His gaze was sharp.

Dangerous.

“Why?” he asked. “That’s what you are now.”

Lina swallowed hard.

“This is just a deal,” she reminded him. “Nothing more.”

His eyes lingered on her for a second longer…

Then he looked away.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

The rest of the ride fell back into silence.

The car finally stopped.

Lina stepped out—and froze.

The mansion in front of her was massive.

Elegant.

Intimidating.

This wasn’t just wealth.

This was power.

“Welcome home,” Adrian said casually.

Home.

The word felt wrong.

But before she could react, he was already walking inside.

Lina had no choice but to follow.

Inside, everything was perfect.

Marble floors.

Crystal chandeliers.

Staff lined up quietly, their eyes lowering in respect as Adrian walked past.

“Sir.”

“Welcome back, sir.”

Lina felt completely out of place.

Like she didn’t belong in this world.

“Prepare the master bedroom,” Adrian said.

Her steps faltered.

Bedroom?

Her heart started racing again.

She hurried to catch up with him.

“Wait,” she said. “We need to set boundaries.”

He stopped.

Slowly turning to face her.

“Oh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “This should be interesting.”

Lina crossed her arms, trying to appear confident.

“This marriage is fake,” she said firmly. “So we don’t share a room.”

Silence.

Then—

Adrian took a step closer.

And another.

Until she was forced to step back.

“Fake?” he repeated softly.

Her back hit the wall.

Her breath caught.

He was too close.

“You said it yourself,” she managed. “It’s a deal.”

His hand came up suddenly—

Resting against the wall beside her head.

Trapping her.

“Do you know what people will expect?” he murmured.

Her heart was racing uncontrollably now.

“I don’t care about people.”

“I do,” he said simply.

His eyes dropped briefly to her lips.

Then back to her eyes.

“And right now, you are my wife.”

The way he said it made her stomach twist.

“This is just for show,” she insisted.

A slow smile spread across his face.

“Then act better.”

Before she could react—

He reached for her wrist and pulled her gently forward.

Lina stumbled slightly, her hands landing against his chest.

Her breath hitched.

“Relax,” he said, his voice low. “I’m not interested in forcing anything.”

Something about that calmed her…

Just a little.

“But,” he added, “we will share a room.”

Her eyes widened.

“What?!”

“It’s necessary,” he said. “Unless you want the staff talking.”

Lina hesitated.

She hated that he was right.

Again.

“Fine,” she muttered. “But we keep our distance.”

Adrian chuckled softly.

“We’ll see.”

The bedroom was even more overwhelming.

Large.

Luxurious.

One bed.

Her heart skipped.

“This is ridiculous,” she whispered.

Adrian loosened his tie, completely unfazed.

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I don’t want to get used to it.”

He glanced at her.

“Too late.”

Lina looked away, her mind racing.

This was insane.

Everything was happening too fast.

She moved toward the window, trying to calm herself.

“I won’t fall for you,” she said suddenly.

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Silence.

Then—

A soft, amused laugh.

Lina turned.

Adrian was watching her.

Something unreadable in his eyes.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice low and confident…

“You won’t be the one I’m worried about.”

Her breath caught.

“What does that mean?”

He stepped closer.

Slow.

Deliberate.

“It means,” he said, stopping just in front of her…

“This deal might not stay a deal for long.”

Her heart slammed against her chest.

Danger.

That’s what this was.

Not safety.

Not escape.

Danger.

And yet—

For some reason…

She didn’t step away.