The night felt too short.
Morning came too fast... and I wasn't ready to be seen.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every single moment that led me into this mess. How did I end up here? In his house. In his world. In his control.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Before I could even sit up properly, my door swung open.
Maids flooded into my room carrying racks of gowns, boxes of heels, jewelry sparkling under the morning light. It looked like a royal dressing chamber.
"I'm not wearing anything," I snapped. "Take them away."
They froze.
Then a deep, familiar voice sliced through the tension.
"I gave them permission."
My heart dropped.
Alessandro stepped into the room like he owned the air I breathed.
"Rule number one," he said calmly, adjusting his cufflinks. "You obey."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"Go freshen up. The whole family is waiting to meet my wife."
I scoffed. "Wife? We're not even married. And we never will be."
A slow smirk curved his perfectly chiseled face.
"I hate waiting," he murmured. "Don't waste my time."
Then he left.
Just like that.
And I had no choice.
After a long shower, I slipped into one of the gowns. It hugged my body perfectly. Too perfectly. I struggled with the zipper, twisting and turning, frustration building in my chest.
Then—
A cold, masculine hand wrapped around my waist from behind.
A sharp breath escaped my lips.
Shivers ran down my spine.
He lowered his face to my shoulder, inhaling the scent of my hair. His sharp nose brushed lightly against my neck, sending heat through my veins. His grip tightened possessively around my waist.
His cologne...
God.
It was intoxicating.
For a second, just one second, I craved him.
Then I snapped back to my senses.
"What are you doing? Get off me!"
"Relax, little butterfly," he murmured against my skin.
Butterfly?
"What are you doing here?" I demanded.
"I came to take my wife downstairs."
"Stop calling me that."
He chuckled. "You clearly need help with that dress."
"I can handle it myself. I don't need help from a monster."
He stepped back. "Fine. Do it yourself... wife of a monster."
I couldn't reach the zipper.
I hated that I couldn't.
"Alessandro... wait."
He stopped but didn't turn.
"Can you help me with my zip?" I asked softly.
He imitated my voice mockingly. "'I can figure it out myself.'"
"Did you just—?"
"I'll help you," he interrupted, eyes glinting. "Only if you ask properly."
"What?!"
He simply stared at me.
I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
"Fine. Please... can you help me with my zip?"
"Hm? I can't hear you."
I clenched my fists. "Pleaseeeee help me."
He smiled slowly. "Now that sounds better."
He walked toward me.
I stepped backward.
He kept coming.
Until my back hit the wall.
His face was inches from mine. My breathing became uneven. I closed my eyes instinctively, feeling his warm breath fan across my lips.
Something inside me whispered, *kiss him.*
Something inside me wanted him.
His finger tapped my nose lightly.
"Wake up, dummy."
"Dummy?!"
He laughed softly genuinely.
Then he turned me around.
His fingers brushed my bare back.
Fire.
I could feel his breath against my skin as he slowly pulled the zipper up. Every nerve in my body awakened at once. My lungs forgot how to function.
"There," he said lowly. "I'm done."
I opened my eyes, dizzy. "Thank you."
He bowed slightly. "Now, mi lady... may I escort you downstairs?"
"Yes," I said reluctantly.
But inside my head?
*Damn it, Elena. What the hell were you thinking?*
The dining room felt like a courtroom.
Every eye in the room landed on me the second we entered.
His younger brother's gaze was filled with pure disgust. He didn't even try to hide it.
His mother, Lady Vera, beamed like I was the answer to her prayers.
And then there was the aunt.
Dressed in black.
Cold eyes.
She clearly preferred Jessica.
The silence at the table was suffocating until Alessandro cleared his throat.
"Meet my family," he said firmly. "And family... meet my wife."
The word still felt unreal.
Wife.
He pulled out a chair for me and I sat down carefully.
Lady Vera immediately served me breakfast herself, praising my beauty, my elegance, my "perfect match" energy for her son.
But then—
Damien spoke.
"No doubt she's beautiful," he said lazily. "But she doesn't belong in our world. She's weak. Useless."
The room froze.
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
"Say one more word," he growled, "and I'll have your tongue cut out and fed to the dogs."
For the first time in my life...
Someone defended me.
Damien stood abruptly. "You'd kill me because of her? You're not even married! What spell did she use on you?"
"Damien!" Alessandro roared, pulling out his gun.
My heart nearly stopped.
I rushed up. "Stop! Please!"
Damien laughed bitterly. "You've lost your mind."
Lady Vera stood. "Enough!"
Then she turned to me.
"Elena, take him upstairs. Calm him."
Calm him?
Calm the devil?
How exactly was I supposed to do that?
But I nodded anyway.
"Okay."
I reached for Alessandro's arm carefully.
He was still shaking with rage.
I had just started leading him toward the stairs when..... A high, feminine voice echoed through the mansion.
"I'm back!!!"
And every head in the house turned toward the entrance.
My heart dropped.
Jessica.
She strode through the double doors like she owned the place "red dress hugging every curve, red-bottom heels clicking with authority, long dark hair cascading over one shoulder". Confidence radiated from her like perfume.
Her eyes found Alessandro first.
Then slid to me.
Her smile sharpened into something lethal.
"Well," she purred, voice dripping honey and venom, "looks like someone's been playing house while I was gone."
Alessandro's body went rigid beside me.
His hand tightened on my arm possessive, protective.
Jessica's gaze flicked to that hand.
Then back to his face.
"Darling," she said sweetly, "you didn't tell me you were... collecting strays."
The word hit like a slap.
Alessandro's voice came out low, dangerous.
"Jessica."
One word.
Warning.
She laughed "light, melodic, cruel".
"Oh, come now. Don't be dramatic." She sauntered closer, hips swaying. "I leave for a few weeks and you replace me with..." Her eyes raked me head to toe. "This?"
Damien snorted from the table.
Lady Vera's smile faltered.
The aunt in black watched with open satisfaction.
I felt small. Exposed. Out of place.
Alessandro stepped slightly in front of me "subtle, but unmistakable".
"She's my wife," he said, voice flat, final.
Jessica's laugh died.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Wife?" She tilted her head. "Since when does Alessandro Moretto do weddings?"
"Since now."
Silence stretched "sharp, electric.
Jessica's smile returned, thinner.
"Fine," she said lightly. "I can play the long game."
She looked straight at me.
"Enjoy the throne while it lasts, little mouse. It's colder than it looks."
She turned on her heel and walked toward the stairs passing right by us.
Her perfume lingered like a threat.
Alessandro's grip on my arm didn't loosen.
His jaw was locked.
His eyes followed her until she disappeared upstairs.
Then he looked down at me.
His voice was quiet. Almost gentle.
"You okay?"
I swallowed.
"No."
He nodded once.
"Good."
He leaned in close so only I could hear.
"Because if she touches you..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
The promise was in his eyes.
And for the first time since the warehouse...
I wasn't sure whether to be terrified of him...
Or grateful.