6. Crossed line

Lana's POV

Max's gaze remained on me, eyes burning against mine. I hadn't given him an answer yet. Because I hadn't even expected him to show up now.

“Thought I was asking a question? Where are you off to?” he asked calmly, but even the calmness gave off the calm-before-the-storm energy.

"I'm off to meet with Sophia," I replied quietly, my fingers playing with the edge of my clothes. "We're having a celebratory dinner. It's just one night."

His brows creased in disapproval and it looked like he was about to say something when his phone rang.

Giving me a final glance, he walked into the nearest room to take the call.

Perfect. He didn't say whether or not to wait. Taking my cue, I turned around, made for the door, and out I was.

I knew I wasn't supposed to leave without getting his go-ahead, but I needed the air. So I tried to not care and just took what I thought I needed.

The driver, upon setting eyes on me, opened the door wordlessly and I slipped into the sleek car before I got the chance to second-guess my decision.

My heart kept thudding as the estate gradually vanished behind us, drowned by darkness and tall trees. But still.....I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. Max would highly disapprove of my leaving like that.

But whatever. His reaction couldn't be that bad.

We arrived at the bar faster than I estimated we would.

"Darling!!""Sophia squealed loudly the moment she spotted me, pulling me in for a tight hug. "Just take a look at you, gurl. You're legit glowing!"

I laughed — a genuine sound — for the first time in a couple of weeks. For a while, it didn't feel like I was some property to anyone. It didn't feel like I was a girl who had a pricetag hanging from her wedding ring.

I got to be just Lana.

The drinks kept rolling in. The endless laughter bounced off the walls and Sophia tried to make sure every person in attendance knew I had landed myself a Donovan wedding deal.

I got congratulated like I was royalty. I wasn't exactly used to being praised, but I let it wash over me like sunlight did on a cold day. It wasn't every day I got privileged to feel like that — wanted and seen for you.

For a few more hours, I forget that I'd sold my name off to a stranger. But nothing lasts forever..... right?

I confirmed when I got home.

The lights inside the mansion were all still on so it was pretty obvious he hadn't gone to bed yet. I only wished I could get into my room without......

"You're home."

And Max was standing there. And he looked really angry.

He was standing at the crown of the stairs, hands behind his back with his jaw clenched. It was hard to not notice the storm brewing in his eyes.

He still stood at the spot where he'd been standing before the call came in. He waited for me.....

"Where. Were. You?" he asked, quietly counting his words but the rage behind them had me swallowing the lump in my throat.

I needed to calm down. Even if it wasn't real, he was still my husband.....right? There was no way he would hurt me.

Gathering courage from God-knows-where, I slowly stepped forward.

"I was out. With Sophia because I needed....."I was saying when I got interrupted.

"You needed what?" he scoffed bitterly. "You needed to disobey me."

Okay, now I was mad. "I never realized I needed to ask permission before going out for a drink. Thought I was a wife and not your hostage."

Something flashed through his eyes. Something I couldn't quite place...... Sure, there was anger. That one was quite evident. But underneath it lay.... fear? Or was it panic? But it was there one minute and disappeared the next.

"I never said you could go anywhere, did I?" he asked, taking slow strides forward.

"No, but...."I tried sounding like the look on his face didn't scare me.

"You think this marriage is some sorta game?" he closed the space between us. "Listen, you don't get to walk out of my house in the middle of the night like you're some rogue omega in heat."

"But the driver knew where I was....."

"That's not the point!" he thundered, and for the first time, I didn't see him in the all-so-perfect-alpha light. "You think it's safe? I know what I'm saying when I ask you to go nowhere without me with you! In case you've got no idea, you've got people watching you."

I didn't like how I understood his point, but I also didn't like the way I was getting scolded like I was some grade 5 student.

"It's just a contract, you said so yourself. You didn't even want a real wife. You made that point crystal clear."

He opened his mouth to speak, only to shut it back up. His hands kept twitching at his sides like he badly wanted to air something out. Like he wanted to touch something.....but he did none of those.

He just gave me a final glance and walked away.

No idea why, but the action crushed something within me.

"Max..."I called cautiously. "You can't just walk away, say something."

But he was already holding the doorknob to his study.

Halting at my words, he took his time to decide whether or not he'd reply to me. "Tonight, you crossed a line. And I certainly do not reward disobedience. It'd be for your good if you learned to listen to me in the future."

And the door slammed closed, and I stood there speechless. Even my dress suddenly felt suffocating.

But this was it. The life that I signed up for.

I headed for the safety of my room.

I was going to be fine. I just had to accept the reality that my life wasn't going to be fully mine anymore. That I had rules I had to abide by.

I heard a muffled roar and then the sound of a glass shattering.

Taking off my dress, I resolved to try to fit into Max's world. For my sake at least.