4

Sebastian

I leaned back in my chair, scrolling through the messages my mother had left in my inbox. It’s been almost a month, yet she is still pressing me about Sienna and me going on a honeymoon. I’m done wishing Sienna would somehow mess things up so the contract would be terminated. No. Change of plans. I’ll drag her through the mud until she begs for mercy.

Sebastian Lander Sterling is my name; making lives hell is my game. She thought that by marrying me, her life would be a bed of roses. That’s what all these low-life, gold-digging whores think. I have every plan in place, and starting today, I’ll make her shed tears.

I laughed to myself. She pretends to be so innocent, but I know girls like her. They speak softly and act like they can do no harm when, in reality, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. I work hard for my money, and there’s no way I’ll let her take it. I’m going to break her to the point of no return.

I tilted my head back against the headrest. If my mother hadn't decided to blackmail me, I could have easily escaped this situation. But she doesn’t care. That night years ago was a mistake, and for the past eight years, she has used it against me. If the truth ever got out... I would spend the rest of my life in a cell. I can’t let that happen. They say karma is a bitch; maybe Sienna is my karma. But I intend to beat her.

I heard Sienna coming down the stairs. Her hair looked like an old mop that hadn't been touched in years, and her face was the exact definition of a mess.

“Well, look what the devil dragged in,” I chuckled. “That face... it’s worse than a thousand volcanoes erupting at once. Such a devastating sight, wife.”

“Whatever.”

“You better prepare yourself properly for the party later. Many important people will be there, and your face is embarrassing enough. You’d do me a favor by covering it with a cloth.”

“I didn’t know anything about a party,” she replied, crossing her arms.

“Well, now you know. This will be one of the most embarrassing days of my life.”

“Oh, trust me. It will be if you don’t stop nagging me.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, you’ll see, husband.”

“You’ll address me by my name,” I snapped.

“I have a splitting headache, so please, stop talking.”

“Last time I checked, this is my house!”

“That was last time. At this moment, it is our house. Now shut up.”

I gripped the edge of the sofa, glaring at her. She had the audacity to call this her house! I built this with my blood and sweat. We haven’t even been married for a full month, and she’s already talking back. Her duty is to listen!

“Your house? Stay in your lane, woman. You don’t want to cross over. You might meet... an accident.”

“You’ve won many competitions, Sebastian,” she said, pointing a finger in my face. “But there’s one you haven't won yet. You should win the award for 'Most Annoying, Stupid, and Ugly.' I wonder how women go crazy over you. You’re sickening. I wish I had a remote control just to switch you off.”

“I’m leaving before I do something I regret,” I said, walking out. I got in my car and sped off. No one insults me. No one.

Sienna

I felt great, despite the headache. I finally answered back to his rude comments. I decided I wasn't going to let him bully me anymore. I’m not the type of girl to take disrespect from a man. He doesn’t even know the real reason for this marriage, yet he calls me a whore. Technically, I am a gold digger—maybe a little—but I had no choice.

Why I married him is more important than my happiness. I made my way to the garden where Alessia was watering the flowers.

“Alessia.”

“Yes, Mrs—I mean, Sienna.”

“Is there any way you could... help me get a dress for the party tonight? I don't know the area well, or you could just give me directions.”

“No, dear. I’ll find you a beautiful dress. But when you’re free, we should definitely go shopping together. Deal?”

“Deal!” I replied. I headed to my room to start mentally preparing to face a room full of rich jerks.

Sebastian

Eight Hours Later

I pulled up to the house and took a deep breath. I went to Sienna’s room; women always take forever, and I was already late. I pushed open the door just as Sienna came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. She looked like a soaked cat.

“Yes?” she asked.

“You have five minutes to get dressed.”

“That’s not enough.”

“I don’t care. Get ready, or I’ll leave your ass here.”

“Really? We both know if I don’t attend, people will gossip, and your ego is too big for that. So you’ll wait.”

“Don’t play with me, wife.”

“Don’t play with me, husband. Now shoo... I’m sure you don’t want to be late,” she said with total attitude. I walked out without another word. For the first time since the wedding, we were being seen in public, and it made me sick.

Ten minutes later, Sienna came down. She was wearing a long royal blue fishtail dress with a plunging neckline. I wondered if men actually found her attractive; she looked distasteful to me. I could already imagine the bashing I’d receive from my friends.

“Let’s go,” I said. “The car is waiting.”

“So now it’s 'woman' and not 'wife'? Fine. Let’s go, husband.”

During the drive, I kept glancing at her. I love women and I love sex, but this woman was completely unattractive to me. I couldn't imagine touching her.

When we arrived, I took her hand. “Remember, we are the perfect couple, right?” I whispered. “Smile for the cameras.”

Bright lights flashed. I flashed a fake smile, holding my "darling" wife’s waist. I felt like cockroaches were crawling over my skin. We entered the venue, and every head turned. I spotted Alessandro, the host.

“Old friend,” I greeted him. I turned to his wife, Adeline, and gave her a polite hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“This must be your beautiful wife,” Alessandro said, smiling at Sienna.

“Yes. This is Sienna. My beautiful... wife. Sienna, this is my friend Alessandro and his wife Adeline.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” she said with a sweet, fake smile.

“You girls talk; we’re going to get a drink at the bar,” Alessandro said, pulling me away.

Sienna

As they walked away, I felt uncomfortable. Adeline eyed me from head to toe in silence.

“As much as you want to pretend you and Sebastian have a perfect relationship, I can see right through you,” she said suddenly.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s obvious you’re a gold digger and he doesn’t love you. I know Sebastian’s type: tall, brunette, models. Not poor and distasteful.”

“Our marriage is a hundred percent real,” I lied.

“Lies. He’s handsome, rich, and powerful. Every girl’s dream.”

“Even yours, apparently,” I countered. “The way your eyes glisten when you talk about him... it tells a story of you being in love with him.”

“You’re talking nonsense! You married him for wealth!”

“I married him for love,” I said sternly.

“I bet he’s cheating on you.”

“And I know your boyfriend is cheating on you,” I snapped. “He’s been staring at every woman who passes by.”

“We have an open relationship!”

“As open as your legs to every dog that barks?”

“Don’t you—”

“Keep talking and I’ll beat your celebrity ass in front of all these people,” I threatened. “Test me, Mrs. Open Sesame.”

She turned and walked away angrily. I sat by myself, watching the crowd. Sebastian didn't check on me once; he was too busy flirting with a beautiful woman at the bar. I decided to play my own game. I walked over and placed a hand on his back.

“Hi, dear,” I said, kissing his cheek. I turned to the woman. “This must be the woman you were telling me about—the one you’d try to get in bed just to embarrass her later.” Sebastian gripped my arm, but I kept going. “Don’t listen to him. He’s mentally ill. Not to mention—”

“Sienna, leave—”

“Shut up, Sebastian. When grown folks are talking, you stay quiet.”

His mouth hung open. His friends looked stunned. He was clearly embarrassed. Before I could finish, he clamped a hand over my mouth.

“She’s just messing around,” he told them through gritted teeth. He picked me up and carried me toward the exit. Once we were in a quiet corner, he dropped me to the ground.

“Are you insane? How dare you try to embarrass me!”

“You’re not a man, Sebastian. You’re a roach. Now watch me spray you with repellent.”

He let out a frustrated laugh. “Oh, you’re being childish? Two can play at this game.”

I went back to sit alone and texted Edward. This party was full of stuck-up people. I grabbed another glass of champagne. Suddenly, a man with brown hair and grey eyes stood over me.

“Hello, beautiful,” he said. “I guess you’re here alone?”

“I’m here with my husband.”

“Your husband should never leave such a beautiful woman alone. I can give you millions. Just come with me.”

“I’ll decline.”

“Come!” He barked, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward him. “Leave him and elope with me.”

“Let me go!” I shouted.

Suddenly, Sebastian appeared. He grabbed the man by the collar and punched him squarely in the face. The man hit back, and a brawl broke out. I tried to stop them but was pushed aside by Sebastian. He was on top of the guy, hitting him repeatedly.

“Don’t you ever touch her again!” he roared. Alessandro finally managed to pull Sebastian away.

Sebastian grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the car. Once we were inside, his expression shifted, and he burst out laughing.

“How was my acting?” he chuckled. “I had to pretend we were in a serious relationship, baby.”

“You are a pig.”

“Yet you married me.”

When we reached the house twenty minutes later, I stopped in my tracks. His mother was sitting on the sofa waiting for us.

“Good evening, Mrs. Sterling,” I said.

“Sienna. Sebastian. I heard about the fight. I am not pleased.”

“Well, Mother, I couldn't let a guy flirt with my gorgeous wife, could I?” He kissed my cheek and sat beside her.

An idea popped into my head. I went to my room and grabbed the first aid kit. If this is how you want to play, let’s play, Sebastian.

“Honey, let me dress your wounds,” I said, dropping the kit into his lap. He protested, but I cut him off. I poured alcohol onto a cloth and rubbed his cuts as if I were trying to scrub ink out of a rug. Every time he winced, I gave him a sharp flick to the forehead.

He wants to play? I’m the master of games.