3

Sienna

After dragging myself out of bed at six a.m., I went for a run to clear my head. These last three weeks have been a disaster; I feel like I’m drowning. Sebastian treats me as if I’m his literal property.

All he does is boss me around and bark orders at every opportunity. I feel powerless—the contract explicitly states that I must show him respect and follow his lead. Whenever I try to do something kind for him, he just gets angry. I’ve never met someone so remarkably rude and self-centered. I hadn't even stepped foot outside the house since the wedding until today. I just couldn't stay trapped in those walls a moment longer.

When I returned to the house, Sebastian was—as usual—busy on his phone. He was dressed in a sharp grey business suit. The moment his eyes landed on me, he hung up and approached.

“I’m going to the office. Don’t call or text me. I don’t care if you’re dying; do not contact me,” he said, dismissively pushing past me. I rolled my eyes at his back and walked inside.

“I’ll get you a cup of tea, Mrs. Sterl—I mean, Sienna,” Alessia said, moving toward the kitchen.

“Thank you, Alessia. I’m going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll help you with the cleaning.”

I ran upstairs, showered, and came back down to sip my tea. The boredom was becoming unbearable. Sitting here every day scrolling through I*******m or mindlessly watching N*****x is soul-crushing. I seriously need to talk to "Slugface" about letting me work. That’s just one of the many nicknames I’ve given him; you’d be surprised how many creative insults come to mind after being around him for five minutes.

But it isn't just up to him. My contract with Sebastian’s mother strictly forbids me from working. I feel like a prisoner. Technically, I am. As I stood up to take my plate to the kitchen, I noticed a forgotten food container on the table.

“Whose is this? ” I asked, turning to Alessia.

“Oh, Mr. Sterling left it behind, ma’am.”

“I’ll take it to him! ”

“Are you sure? I don’t want him to take his temper out on you,” she said, her voice laced with concern.

“Don’t worry, Alessia. Slugface will be fine.”

“Slugface? ” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

I nodded with a smirk. “That’s his new name.” I took my cup to the kitchen and prepared to head to Sebastian’s office. Don’t ask me why I made that decision. Maybe I’m just impulsive, or maybe I was just desperately craving an excuse to leave the house.

I rushed upstairs to freshen up and headed out. Maybe after dropping this off, I could meet up with my brother. It’s been a while since we talked; truth be told, I’ve been avoiding his calls.

Sebastian

I walked out of my meeting and into my office, finally finding a moment of peace. That wife of mine is making my life a living hell. She’s just like all the other women—money-hungry. She even went as far as convincing my mother to force this marriage. Just another gold digger. By the time I’m done with her, she’ll regret the day she ever signed that contract. I’ll break her until she’s irreparable.

My dark thoughts were interrupted by the phone. Only my PA calls this line.

“What now? ” I barked.

“Your wife is here, sir,” she replied.

I clenched my fists. Speak of the devil. Is she trying to provoke me? The more I tell her to stay away, the more she forces herself into my space.

“Send her in,” I ordered.

A moment later, the door opened and she walked in. My eyes widened. She was wearing a short, strapless pink dress that showed off her legs. It clung to her curves in a way that was… distracting. I noticed how striking she looked, but I immediately forced the thought away.

I stood and walked toward her. “What are you doing here? And what on earth are you wearing? ”

“I… I came to bring you the breakfast you forgot.”

“I asked what you are wearing.”

“It’s called a dress, Sebastian.”

“Don’t play games with me! ”

“You can’t tell me what to wear.”

“You are my wife, and I absolutely can tell you what to wear! I am the head of this household—effectively your boss! Do you have any idea how many men will look at you in that? It’s inappropriate. No wife of mine is going to walk around looking like a stripper! ”

“What do you care if men look at me? We don’t even share a bed! ”

“Listen to me, and listen carefully. I—”

“Just shut up,” she snapped, shoving the container into my chest. “I won’t let you treat me like a fool. I had enough of that growing up.” She muttered something under her breath about me thinking I’m better than her just because I’m rich.

“I am better than you. In every conceivable way.”

“Oh, shut up, Slugface.”

“What did you just call me? ”

“I wasn't born twice, so I'm not going to repeat myself twice.”

I stepped closer, gripping her chin. “This is not a game you want to play, Sienna. I suggest you find some respect and keep your mouth shut. Just remember—you’re living in my house, on my dime.”

“Whatever.” She pulled away and walked out.

A few minutes later, I left my office as well. On my way to the elevator, I overheard three of my employees whispering in the corner.

“She’s incredibly hot,” one said.

“Yeah, those legs… the boss is lucky. The things I’d do if she were mine—”

“What are you talking about? ” I interrupted. They spun around, faces turning pale.

“N-nothing, boss. Just work stuff.”

“My wife is 'work stuff' now? I glared at them. “Keep her name out of your mouths.” I walked off, fuming. The last thing I needed was my staff fantasizing about her.

Sienna

I put on my shades as I stepped off the bus. I was meeting my brother, Edward, for lunch. My legs shook slightly as I entered the restaurant and spotted him at a table.

“Hey, big brother.”

“I’ve sent you a dozen messages these past weeks, Sienna. You ignored them all.”

“I’m sorry. Things have been… awful.”

“You should never have agreed to this, sis.”

“I know. But you know the situation. I had to.”

“I’ll try to find a way to get you out of this contract. I promise.”

“Ugh, I feel like I’m losing my mind living with him. By the way, how’s Mother? ”

“Losing her mind because you haven't sent her money since the wedding.”

“That’s all she’s ever cared about.”

“Well, I’m moving out tonight. I’m done with her. And you should be, too.”

I shrugged, looking away. “Maybe she can change.”

“I doubt it.”

Before I could respond, Edward stiffened. “Don’t look now, but Sebastian is walking this way.”

By the time I turned, he was already standing behind me. He leaned down, kissed my cheek with terrifying coldness, and pulled out a chair.

“Well, well. A family reunion. Planning new ways to spend my money, are we? ”

“Leave us alone, Sebastian…”

“In your dreams, wife.”

“Talk to my sister like that again and I’ll make your face unrecognizable,” Edward threatened, standing up.

Sebastian just chuckled and leaned forward. “Oh, I’d love to see you try. You know, I prayed your sister would violate the contract so I could be done with this. But since she hasn't, I’m going to break her and send her back to you in pieces. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m taking my wife home. I had to come all this way because she decided to take a bus. This world you’re in now, Sienna—it’s not the one you’re used to.”

He stretched out his hand, his eyes burning into mine. “Come, wife. Smile for the paparazzi.”