Chapter 2

Lisa’s stomach twisted with anxiety as the town car pulled up to the gates of Ethan’s mansion.

The sprawling estate seemed like something out of a movie, an endless stretch of manicured lawns, grand pillars, and tall windows that gleamed in the sunlight.

Everything about it screamed wealth, power, and distance. The kind of life Lisa had never imagined for herself. Yet here she was, stepping out of the car, dressed in clothes that felt too formal, too uncomfortable for her.

She had agreed to this marriage for one reason: to save her mother. Ethan had offered her a way out of poverty, and though she didn’t know him well, she had convinced herself it was the right decision.

After all, he had kept his word. Her mother was now in a private hospital, receiving the best care money could buy. Lisa had reassured her mom, telling her she was “in good hands,” that she would be fine. But as she stood there, facing the mansion’s heavy doors, Lisa wasn’t sure she believed that herself.

The doors swung open, revealing a butler who greeted her with a formal nod. Inside, the house was just as imposing as the exterior, polished marble floors, high ceilings adorned with chandeliers, and an eerie, echoing silence.

Lisa hesitated, feeling out of place, as if she didn’t belong in such a grand space. It was a far cry from the cramped apartment she had shared with her mother, where everything had been worn but filled with warmth. Here, the luxury felt cold, detached.

Ethan’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He had entered the room, dressed in a crisp suit, his expression as unreadable as ever. “The staff will take care of whatever you need,” he said without looking at her. “You’ll be comfortable here.”

Lisa nodded, though she wasn’t sure what “comfortable” really meant in this situation. “Thank you,” she replied softly, feeling the awkwardness between them like a heavy weight.

Ethan’s gaze finally shifted toward her, but there was no warmth in his eyes, only the same distant professionalism she had come to expect. “I’m heading to the office,” he said flatly. “If you need anything, ask the maids. They’ll be available.”

He turned to leave, but Lisa, desperate for some kind of connection in this strange, new world, spoke up. “Ethan... Do you want me to bring you lunch later? I could come by your office.”

He paused, his back still to her. For a moment, she thought he might say yes, that maybe this marriage wasn’t going to be as cold as it seemed. But when he turned around, his expression was as hard as stone. “No need. Your place is here, in the house.”

Her place? She hadn’t expected much from this arrangement, but the way he said it made her feel like a prisoner, confined to the mansion while he went about his life, free and unattached.

Ethan didn’t even bother to soften his tone. He just gave her a brief nod and walked out the door, leaving her standing there, feeling small and insignificant.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Lisa’s eyes filled with tears. She tried to hold them back, but the loneliness and confusion overwhelmed her.

How had her life come to this? Just months ago, she had been struggling, yes, but she had her freedom. Now, she was married to a man who didn’t care about her beyond the terms of their contract. She had never expected love, but the coldness was suffocating.

Lisa hurried to her room, shutting the door behind her before collapsing on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. She let the tears flow freely, sobbing quietly into the fabric.

She wasn’t just crying over Ethan’s words, but over everything, her mother’s illness, the life she had left behind, the uncertainty of her future.

She thought about leaving the mansion, going to see her mother, but the terms of the contract echoed in her mind. The marriage was confidential.

No one could know it was a business arrangement. If she went to her mother, if she let on that things weren’t perfect, it could raise suspicion. Lisa didn’t have the luxury of making mistakes. Ethan had made that clear when she signed the contract.

So, she stayed. There was nothing else she could do.

Hours passed in a blur, and eventually, Lisa dried her tears, trying to distract herself. One of the maids knocked on her door and suggested playing a game in the parlor.

The thought of sitting alone in her room, wallowing in sadness, seemed unbearable, so she agreed. She spent the next few hours with the maids, trying to lose herself in their company, playing cards and chatting lightly about meaningless things.

…..But underneath it all, the loneliness remained.

Evening fell, Lisa’s nerves began to tighten again. Ethan would be home soon, and though she dreaded seeing him after how cold he had been earlier, a part of her longed for some kind of interaction, some acknowledgment that she wasn’t invisible.

When Ethan finally returned, his presence filled the mansion like an oppressive weight. He walked in, as composed as ever, barely acknowledging her as he asked one of the maids to bring him dinner.

Lisa stood in the hallway, watching him as he sat down at the dining table, eating alone without even glancing in her direction.

It was only after he had finished his meal that he finally addressed her. “I’m heading to bed,” he said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Lisa nodded, following him to the bedroom, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know what to expect, but the silence between them was unbearable.

As they entered the room, Ethan began to undress, his movements efficient and detached. Lisa stood awkwardly by the bed, unsure of what to do, but then Ethan turned to her, his gaze heavy and unreadable.

Without a word, he reached for her, pulling her gently toward him. His hands were cold against her skin, but his touch was firm, commanding.

Lisa’s breath caught in her throat as he led her to the bed. They were husband and wife, and this was part of the deal, part of the contract.

Ethan was gentle, his movements deliberate and controlled as he undressed her, and though there was no passion, no fire, Lisa didn’t resist. She let him take her, his body pressing against hers with a kind of quiet intensity.

It was not the first time she had been with a man, but this felt different, impersonal, almost clinical. Yet, there was a strange comfort in his gentleness, a relief in the fact that he wasn’t cruel, just distant.

Lisa lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. She turned to Ethan, hoping for some kind of conversation, some connection. “How was your day?” she whispered, her voice soft.

Ethan didn’t respond immediately. When he finally did, it was with the same casual indifference he had shown her earlier. “Fine,” he said, his tone flat. “Go to sleep.”

And just like that, the conversation was over. Lisa felt the weight of disappointment settle in her chest as she turned away from him, curling up under the covers.

She had hoped for something that would make this feel less empty, but Ethan had made it clear that this was all there was. This was their marriage. A cold, transactional arrangement, where emotions were irrelevant.

As she lay there, the reality of her situation hit her harder than ever. She was married to a man who would never love her, living in a house that wasn’t her home, surrounded by luxury that meant nothing.

And no matter how much she tried to convince herself that it was worth it, that she was doing the right thing for her mother, a part of her wondered how long she could keep going before the emptiness consumed her completely.

Chapter 3

"I’ll be taking you out this afternoon,” Ethan said as he walked into the living room, not looking up from his phone. His tone was flat, as usual, no warmth, no affection. “We’ll go shopping, and then we have a business event tonight.”

Lisa blinked, caught off guard by his sudden appearance and the mention of plans. She hadn’t expected to see him, let alone spend the day with him. “Shopping?” she asked, trying to mask her surprise.

Ethan finally glanced up, his eyes briefly meeting hers. “You’ll need something appropriate for the event. It’s a formal business party, and you don't seem to have anything appealing”

She nodded, though her mind raced. It was strange, the thought of shopping with him, of being out in public together.

Up until now, their interactions had been few and far between, cold exchanges that felt more like business than marriage. But this felt like a step outside that carefully constructed distance, even if it was still for the sake of appearances.

“Okay,” she replied softly, feeling unsure of what else to say.

“Be ready in an hour,” he said, turning to leave the room just as quickly as he had entered.

Lisa stood there for a moment, processing his words. Part of her was anxious, she didn’t know how to act around him when they were alone, especially after last night, but another part of her was curious. Maybe today would be different. Maybe they could break through the icy wall that seemed to separate them.

An hour later, Lisa was dressed and waiting by the front door when Ethan appeared again. He didn’t offer her a compliment or even acknowledge the effort she had put into looking nice. Instead, he simply gestured toward the door. “Let’s go.”

They drove into the city in silence, the atmosphere between them tense and awkward. Lisa stared out the window, watching the streets pass by as they made their way to one of the most upscale shopping districts in town.

When they arrived, Ethan led her into a boutique filled with designer gowns, luxurious fabrics, and sparkling accessories. The staff immediately greeted them with the kind of deference that only came with recognizing extreme wealth.

“Pick whatever you want,” Ethan said, his tone businesslike as he sat down on a plush couch, scrolling through his phone again.

Lisa hesitated, unsure of what to choose. She had never shopped in places like this before, and the thought of spending thousands of dollars on a dress felt surreal. She wandered through the racks, her fingers brushing over the delicate materials, still trying to adjust to this new reality.

As she tried on different gowns, the staff buzzed around her, offering suggestions and adjustments, while Ethan remained completely disengaged, barely looking up from his phone to offer an opinion.

Every now and then, Lisa would catch a glimpse of him in the mirror, sitting there, detached, as if he couldn’t care less about the fact that she was trying to make an effort.

Eventually, she chose a sleek black evening gown, simple but elegant. She stepped out of the fitting room, feeling nervous, hoping for some kind of reaction from him. Ethan glanced up briefly, his expression was neutral.

“That’ll do,” he said, standing up and nodding to the sales associate to wrap it up.

His lack of enthusiasm stung, but Lisa didn’t let it show. She had learned by now that expecting anything more from Ethan was a mistake. This was who he was, cool, distant, and impossible to read.

Once they had left the store, the drive to the business party was just as quiet. The event was being held at a grand hotel downtown, and as they pulled up, Lisa could already see the well-dressed guests arriving, stepping out of luxury cars and walking up the red-carpeted steps. Ethan parked the car and turned to her before they got out.

“Remember, tonight is important for my business. We need to play the part of a married couple. Don’t draw attention to anything… unusual.”

Lisa nodded, feeling the pressure of his words settle over her. This was just another performance, another day of pretending. She had agreed to this when she signed the contract, but it didn’t make it any easier. “I understand,” she said quietly.

They stepped out of the car, and the flash of cameras immediately greeted them as they entered the party.

Lisa felt out of place among the glamorous guests, but she did her best to smile and stay by Ethan’s side, though he barely acknowledged her throughout the evening.

He introduced her to a few of his business partners, exchanged polite pleasantries, and then drifted into conversations that didn’t involve her.

Feeling increasingly invisible, Lisa excused herself to get some air. She slipped out of the ballroom and found her way to the hotel’s terrace, hoping for a moment of peace. She stepped outside, the cool night air hit her, and for the first time all evening, she felt like she could breathe.

But her brief moment of calm was shattered when she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Well, well, if it isn’t the charity case.”

Lisa froze, turning slowly to see Jade, one of her old classmates from college. Jade had always been cruel to her, mocking her for her background, for the fact that she didn’t come from wealth like the rest of them. And now, seeing Jade here, in the midst of Ethan’s world, made Lisa’s stomach churn.

Jade sauntered over, her eyes gleaming with malice. “I heard you married rich,” she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. “Who’d you have to beg for that?”

Lisa tried to stay calm, reminding herself that she couldn’t let anyone know the truth about her marriage. “It’s none of your business, Jade,” she said, keeping her voice steady.

But Jade wasn’t finished. “You think just because you married a billionaire, you belong here? You don’t. You’ll always be that poor, pathetic girl who didn’t have anything.”

Lisa clenched her fists, trying to hold back the anger rising in her chest. She knew she couldn’t afford to get into a confrontation, not here, not now. But Jade was relentless.

Before Lisa could walk away, Jade raised her hand, as if preparing to slap her. “You don’t even deserve….”

Suddenly, a hand caught Jade’s wrist mid-air. Lisa gasped, her heart racing as she turned to see Ethan standing behind her, his expression dark and unreadable.

“That’s enough!” Ethan said, his voice low and dangerous. His grip on Jade’s wrist tightened just enough to make her wince before he let go.

Jade stumbled back, shocked and embarrassed. “Ethan, I didn’t….”

“Go inside,” Ethan interrupted, his voice cold. “Now.”

Jade hesitated, her face flushed with humiliation, before she turned and stormed back into the ballroom.

Ethan turned to Lisa, his expression softening just slightly. “Are you alright?”

Lisa nodded, though her heart was still pounding from the encounter. “I’m fine.”

For a brief moment, Ethan’s gaze lingered on her, as if he wanted to say something more. But then, just as quickly, the wall came back up, and he straightened, his voice returning to its usual indifferent tone.

“Let’s go back inside.”

Chapter 4.

“You don’t have to stay up for me.”

Lisa glanced up from the book she was pretending to read as Ethan walked into the living room. He was late again, looking as exhausted as ever, but his tone was as distant as it always was.

“I wasn’t waiting,” she lied, quickly closing the book and setting it aside. She had been waiting for him, hoping for a conversation, for any kind of connection, but she wasn’t about to admit that.

Ethan shrugged, loosening his tie and heading toward the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, and for a moment, Lisa watched him, wondering how someone could be so close yet feel so far away.

She wanted to ask him how his day had gone, but every time she tried, he would brush her off, as if her questions were a nuisance.

“You’re home late again,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, hoping he might actually respond this time. “Was work busy?”

“Always,” he replied without looking at her, downing the water in one long gulp before setting the glass down. He was already walking toward the stairs when Lisa spoke again.

“I was thinking,” she said hesitantly, “maybe tomorrow we could spend some time together? Do something... outside of the house?”

Ethan paused, his back to her, and Lisa felt her heart skip a beat, half-expecting him to ignore her again. But then he turned around, his expression unreadable.

“I have meetings,” he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. “It’s not a good time.”

Lisa sighed inwardly. It was never a good time. “I just thought...”

“What?” Ethan interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “You thought what?”

Lisa bit her lip, suddenly unsure of herself. “I thought maybe we could... try to get to know each other. We’re married, after all.”

Ethan’s face remained impassive, but there was something in his eyes, something cold. “This isn’t that kind of marriage, Lisa. You know that.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. He was right. She did know that. This was a contract, not a love story. But that didn’t stop the ache that settled in her chest every time he reminded her.

Ethan turned away, heading up the stairs without another word, leaving Lisa alone in the quiet, empty house once again.

The next morning, Lisa woke up early. Ethan had already left for work, as usual, and she had the day stretching ahead of her with nothing to fill it.

She wandered through the mansion aimlessly, exchanging small talk with the maids, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous night’s conversation, or lack of one. The coldness between them was becoming unbearable.

By noon, Lisa couldn’t stand it anymore. She needed to get out of the house, to escape the suffocating loneliness that seemed to follow her everywhere. After a quick call, she arranged a visit to the hospital to check on her mother. Maybe that would help her clear her head.

When she arrived, the familiar sight of the hospital brought her some sense of comfort. Her mother was doing better, her health had improved dramatically thanks to the care Ethan’s money had provided.

But as Lisa sat by her mother’s bedside, holding her hand, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything she had sacrificed to get here.

“You look tired, sweetie,” her mother said softly, her voice weak but filled with concern. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Lisa forced a smile, brushing her mother’s hair back gently. “I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired from adjusting to the new... life.”

Her mother nodded, squeezing her hand. “I’m just glad you’re happy. You deserve it.”

Lisa swallowed the lump in her throat, guilt gnawing at her. She wasn’t happy. Not even close. But she couldn’t tell her mother that, not when this marriage was the reason her mother was receiving the treatment she needed. So, she smiled and lied, just like she had been doing for months now. “Yeah, I’m happy, Mom.”

After visiting her mother, Lisa wandered the streets for a while, not ready to go back to the empty mansion just yet. She walked aimlessly, her thoughts swirling in her mind, when suddenly, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“Well, look who it is.”

Lisa turned around, and her heart sank as she saw Jade standing a few feet away, a smug smile plastered across her face.

“What do you want, Jade?” Lisa asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She didn’t want to deal with Jade’s bullying today, especially not after the draining week she’d had.

Jade took a step closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. “I just wanted to see for myself how the charity case is doing now that she’s married into money.” She tilted her head, examining Lisa like she was some kind of curiosity. “Still doesn’t look like you belong, though.”

Lisa clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. “I’m not interested in whatever you’re trying to do.”

“Oh, come on,” Jade said with a laugh. “You think you’re fooling anyone with this little fairy tale? Everyone knows you’re just a gold digger. How long do you think it’ll take before Ethan gets bored of you and kicks you to the curb?”

Lisa’s blood boiled, but she refused to let Jade get to her. She turned to walk away, but Jade wasn’t finished.

“Don’t walk away from me, you little…..”

Before Lisa could react, Jade lunged at her, raising her hand as if she were going to hit her. But just as Jade’s hand swung down, it was stopped mid-air by a strong grip.

He stood there, his face calm but his grip on Jade’s wrist tight enough to make her wince.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Jade’s eyes widened in shock. “E-Ethan, I wasn’t….”