Chapter 5

Lana's POV.

"Yes, thank you ma'am." I added with a bow even though the person on the other end of the phone could not see me.

I burst into Max's library after politely hanging up the phone, excitement radiating from every pore. "Max, I have the most amazing news!" I exclaimed, hardly able to contain myself.

I had just received the call of a lifetime: the Smiths, one of the richest families in town, had given me the contract to design the wedding dress for their daughter's wedding. A dream come true, I couldn't wait to share it with Max.

Max looked up from the papers he was studying, his face unreadable. "What is it, Lana?" he asked in that dry and unenthusiastic tone of voice.

I took a deep breath and tried to catch it in. "I just got a call from the Smiths' wedding planner; they've awarded me a contract to design the wedding dress for their daughter's wedding!" I exclaimed, expecting some semblance of reaction from him again.

But Max didn't change his expression. He nodded slightly, his eyes returning to the papers in front of him. "Congratulations, Lana. That's quite an achievement."

I had been looking forward to telling him all this, but now he sounded so uninterested that it was a disappointment. I walked towards him, at least expecting him to smile, if not to hug me. But as I approached, Max leaned back into his chair to avoid physical contact, just like always.

A spark of anger lit within me. "Why are you always so cold, Max?" I asked, my voice shaking with emotion. "Can't you just show some enthusiasm for once? I am your wife, after all."

Max raised an eyebrow. "I am not being cold, Lana. I'm just. focused on my work."

I laughed then, bitter in my mouth. "Focused on work? You are always focused on work; that's what matters. Yet this is not my point, you never hold onto me and act cold all of the time."

Max's face went glacial. "The contract you signed, Lana, doesn't require me being nice to you or touchy-feely. It requires me to provide for you and protect you. And that's exactly what I'm doing."

I felt like I'd just been slapped across the face. "So that's all …" but the rest of the words clung to my throat.

Max shrugged. "That is what we agreed on, Lana. You knew what you were getting yourself into when you signed those papers."

I shook my head, a feeling of futility overcoming me. "I am sorry. I forgot my place and … I thought…you know what-it's okay. I'm sorry for expecting too much from a deal offered to me on a silver platter.

I couldn't finish the sentence. I was too angry, too hurt.

Max leapt up from the couch, flashing his angry eyes at me. "You knew what you were getting into, Lana. You can't now pretend like-

I glared at him, my heart pounding against my chest. "I may have signed a contract, Max. But I didn't sign away my feelings. I didn't sign away my right to be cared for  and respected. I did not turn into an emotionless person."

The room fell silent, except for the sound of heavy breathing between him and me. I could feel the tension between us, the anger and the hurt.

Finally, Max spoke up. "I think we're done here, Lana."

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "Yes, I think we are."

I turned to leave, my eyes falling last on the unyielding, cold expression that was Max's face. It was in this moment, with that feeling and expression etched in my memory, that I knew how completely alone I would be inside the marriage.

Going out of the library, it lingered there inside of me. However, as I made my way up to my bedroom, the sound of the phone ringing sliced the silence.

I replied, and an excited voice exploded on the line.

"Lana, darling, I just found out! Good luck, baby! You had to be above the moon now!" Sophia babbled into my earpiece.

"Appreciate the call, Sophia! I haven't gotten the hang of things yet," I laughed in a reply.

"Yes, Lana. You are brilliant, and quite the talented one among designers we have. The pride of them all!" Gushed Sophia.

"I don't know what to say, Sophia. This means so much to me," I said, dumbfounded in a way because of so much gratitude.

"Oh, we need to celebrate, darling! You owe us drinks. How about we meet at that new bar downtown tonight?" Sophia suggested.

"That sounds great. I shall meet you at 7 there?"

"Sounds like a deal. And, oh, yes, don't forget to wear something fabulous, sweetheart. Now, you're a star!" Sophia teased her.

I laughed and promised to impress.

The more we spoke, the more Sophia sang my praises, and I just couldn't be appreciative enough.

It was during this extended conversation that a nagging thought kept pulsating in my mind, or rather the gnawing feeling that all of this was probably possible because of Max. Of course, he had introduced me to these people in the first place, affording me an opportunity to show whatever talents I possess.

A pang of guilt hit me, and I felt indebted to him, yet at the same time, I hated that.

"Thank you again, Sophia. This means everything to me," I said, genuinely touched by her enthusiasm.

"Anytime, darling. We're all rooting for you. See you tonight!" Sophia replied and then hung up.

Evening approaching, I got myself dressed with mixed feelings in my heart; elated to party with Sophia and at the same time, curiosity killed me by wondering what he would say about this. Max had strictly put a ban on meeting with them when he wasn't around-the women can become a little intrusive at times, he said.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard Max's deep voice behind me.

"And where are you off to?" he asked, his voice neutral.

I turned toward him, my heart racing suddenly.

"Did you not hear me?