2

Sienna

My head was throbbing from the hours of crying last night. It felt surreal. Everything about this—my life, this marriage—seemed like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. I had prayed it was all a dream, but the morning light brought only cold reality. I felt adrift, drowning in a sorrow so thick I could barely breathe.

I had always dreamed of marrying a man who loved me for who I was. Someone who made me happy. Instead, I was trapped in the worst possible situation with a man who clearly loathed me.

I wiped the fresh tears from my eyes and stood up, scanning the guest room. It was slightly smaller than Sebastian’s suite. Sebastian. Even thinking his name made me shiver. I’ve met cruel men before, but none like him. He was a monster in expensive tailoring.

After a quick, hot shower, I made my way downstairs. In the living room, I found Sebastian seated at the table, a large coffee cup in one hand and his phone in the other.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

He spared me a brief, icy glance before returning his attention to his phone.

“Umm… I’m sorry for waking up so late. What would you like for breakfast? ”

He slammed his phone onto the table and marched toward me. I could feel the heat of his anger in every step. When he reached me, he thrust a finger toward my face.

“Listen to me, Anna—”

“It’s Sienna,” I corrected him, my voice trembling.

That only fueled his rage.

“You’ll do as I say. As a matter of fact...” He kicked off his shoes, dropped onto the sofa, and tilted his head back. “Give me a foot massage.”

I recoiled instinctively. “What? ”

“Shall I go get the contract and reread the terms for you, my 'beautiful' wife? Did you forget signing that you would show me the utmost respect and do as I say? Or shall I call your mother? ”

I shook my head frantically. “No, don’t call her. Please.”

I knelt by his side and began massaging his feet, a wave of disgust rolling over me.

“Rub my toes, servant,” he sneered.

A cruel grin spread across his face as I complied. I felt powerless. He was my husband, after all, and the contract held me hostage. A dark, fleeting thought crossed my mind about how some people get away with murder, but I shook it away, horrified at myself. I felt pathetic. I’d read about arranged marriages in novels, but I never imagined I’d be the one living in a gilded cage.

When he finally dismissed me, I retreated to the kitchen, where Alessia was working.

“Mrs. Sterling, I’m so sorry! I had no idea you were awake. I’ll prepare something for you immediately.”

“No, stay seated. I’m actually here to help you clean.”

“Oh, no, ma’am. Mr. Sterling would be furious if he found out you were—”

“There’s no need for the formalities, Alessia. Just call me Sienna. And don’t pretend you don’t know that Sebastian hates me. It’s okay. I want to help.”

After a bit of back-and-forth, she finally relented. As we worked, I tried to pick her brain about Sebastian, but she was as guarded as a vault. She made it clear that his life was strictly private and he didn't allow his staff to gossip.

Later, I locked myself back in my room and checked my phone for the first time in a week. I had over a hundred missed calls and dozens of texts—most from people I hadn't spoken to since high school. I guess word had traveled that I’d married a billionaire. I scoffed. I wondered how half of them even got my number.

I lay there wondering how I could possibly survive a lifetime of this. I was a stay-at-home wife with no friends in the area and no career. I felt empty without my brother. I felt lost.

Maybe one day I’ll find a way to terminate the contract. Sebastian calls me a gold digger, but this marriage benefits him just as much. According to his mother, he married me to save his "reputation." He’s so two-faced. I don’t know what women see in him besides his face, his voice, and his money. His personality is wretched.

I thought about my mother, who was likely celebrating her "success" right now. I wished I could call her an amazing mom, but that would be a lie. And yet, I had to be careful what I wished for. If I hadn't married him...

I took a deep breath and pushed that thought away. Sometimes you make a choice, and even if it's a mess, others will never truly understand why you had to make it.

Sebastian

I’ve never been more embarrassed. Now I have to be seen in public with her. Her face alone is a headache. I prefer models—not lowlifes, not gold diggers. I’ll have to hire the best stylists just to make her look like she belongs in my world. The thought of walking beside her makes my stomach turn.

And even worse, I have to defend her. I have to pretend I actually care.

I switched off my phone to ignore the inevitable taunting from my friends. I loathe this woman more than anyone I've ever met. Honestly, the things I want to do...

I gripped the edge of the sofa. I signed my life away because of one mistake—one mistake my mother used to blackmail me into this. I despise marriage. I never wanted to commit to one person, yet here I am, miserable. They just had to find some desperate woman willing to sell herself for a check.

She’ll never please me. Her "innocent" act and fake sweetness don't fool me for a second. She’ll have to try a lot harder than that to trap me.

I laughed bitterly to myself. What a joke. She was ready to sleep with me—a total stranger—the moment we walked through the door.

Marriage is for the ignorant. I would have bet everything I owned that I'd never end up here, yet everyone thinks I'm in love with this mongrel. They have no idea.

And little does Sienna know what I have in store for her. She will regret the day she ever signed that contract.