Chapter 5

MAYA’S POV

“And who told you this marriage will happen?”

I turned toward the doorway and found my mother standing there, staring at Alexander with an expression that could have frightened anyone who didn’t know her.

Alexander barely reacted.

“Good morning, Mrs. Williams.”

“Don’t good morning me, Alexander. What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“Marrying your daughter.”

“Over my dead body!”

I sighed. “Mom, please.”

She turned to me immediately. “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down, Maya. Have you lost your mind? You just divorced one man, and now you’re rushing into another marriage with someone old enough to have been your father?”

Alexander’s expression hardened, but he remained silent.

“I am not rushing into anything,” I replied. “I’ve thought about it.”

“For how long? Five minutes?”

“Mom, this marriage will solve our problems. He has agreed to pay for your treatment and restore my siblings’ scholarships. We won’t have to worry about where we’re going to live.”

“And you think that makes it right?”

I looked away.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Maya, I know what Jack did to you was terrible, but that doesn’t mean you should throw yourself at the first wealthy man who offers to help you.”

“I’m not throwing myself at anyone!”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“Because I have no other choice!”

My voice came out louder than I’d intended.

She stared at me, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“I’m tired, Mom. I’m tired of worrying about you and my siblings. I’m tired of being treated like a burden because I don’t have money. If marrying Alexander will give us a chance to start again, then I’ll do it.”

“And what happens when he decides he’s tired of you?”

I had no answer to that.

Alexander finally spoke.

“That won’t happen.”

My mother laughed bitterly.

“You cannot guarantee that.”

“No, I can’t. But I can guarantee that your daughter will have everything she needs for as long as she’s my wife.”

“That isn’t what she needs!”

“Mom, enough!” I snapped. “I’ve made my decision.”

She stared at me for a long moment before shaking her head.

“Fine. Do whatever you want. But don’t expect me to be part of this madness.”

She walked out before I could respond.

I stood there, feeling the weight of her words settle over me.

Alexander approached me.

“Are you going to change your mind because of what she said?”

“No.”

“Good.”

I looked at him. “You seem awfully pleased with yourself.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Don’t push me, Alexander.”

He gave me a faint smile. “You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to this marriage, Maya.”

“I’m sure you are. You’ve been waiting for this for years.”

His smile disappeared briefly.

“Careful.”

“Or what?”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

I stepped away from him.

I was beginning to understand that marrying Alexander might be more complicated than I’d imagined.

Unfortunately, I had already made my decision.

And I wasn’t going to back out now.

 

 

The wedding took place three days later.

My mother kept her word. She refused to attend, and despite my attempts to reach her that morning, she didn’t answer my calls.

I eventually stopped trying.

I couldn’t force her to accept my decision, just as she couldn’t force me to change it.

The ceremony was small, attended by a few people from Alexander’s circle. There were no elaborate celebrations or long speeches. Alexander had arranged everything quickly, and before I could fully process what was happening, I was standing beside him, officially becoming his wife.

When the registrar asked if I accepted him as my husband, I hesitated for a second.

Alexander turned his head toward me.

“Problem, Mrs. Williams?”

I glared at him.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Then say your vows, wife.”

I faced the registrar again and gave my answer.

“I do.”

Alexander’s response came without hesitation.

“I do.”

And just like that, I was married again.

Only this time, I had no illusions about love.

Alexander wasn’t marrying me because he wanted to rescue a helpless woman. He wanted something from me, and although I didn’t know exactly what it was, I intended to find out.

When we left the ceremony, he opened the car door for me.

I got in without saying a word.

He joined me moments later.

“Are you always this quiet after getting married?”

“I’m trying to understand why I agreed to this.”

He chuckled.

“Too late for that, sweetheart.”

I turned to him sharply.

“Don’t call me sweetheart.”

“Fine, wife.”

“Alexander!”

“What? You are my wife.”

I rolled my eyes and looked out of the window.

This was going to be a long marriage.

 

 

By the time we arrived at his mansion, I was exhausted.

I wanted nothing more than to take a shower, change into something comfortable, and sleep without having to deal with anyone.

A housekeeper led me upstairs, where Alexander was waiting outside his bedroom.

“Come in,” he said.

I followed him inside, then stopped when I noticed there was only one bed.

I turned to him.

“Where am I supposed to sleep?”

He looked at me as though I’d asked an amusing question.

“On the bed.”

I frowned.

“I’m not sleeping in your room.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want a separate bedroom.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets.

“And why would I give you that?”

“Because we didn’t get married out of love, Alexander. We both know that. I don’t want you getting the wrong idea about what this marriage means.”

He watched me for a moment before smiling.

It wasn’t a warm smile.

“Getting the wrong idea? Maya, you’re the one who agreed to marry me.”

“To save my family.”

“And I agreed to marry you knowing exactly what I wanted.”

I swallowed.

“What does that mean?”

He walked past me and picked up his glass of water from the bedside table.

“You’ll understand soon enough.”

I folded my arms.

“I’m not sharing a bedroom with you. You can have this room, and I’ll take another one.”

I turned toward the door, but his voice stopped me.

“No.”

I looked back at him.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“Alexander, I’m your wife, not your prisoner. I have every right to choose where I sleep.”

“Of course you do.”

“Then give me another room.”

He set his glass down and faced me fully.

“No.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You cannot be serious.”

“I’m very serious.”

I took a deep breath, trying to control my temper.

“Listen, I agreed to marry you, but I never promised you anything beyond that. If you think this marriage gives you the right to control every part of my life, you’re mistaken.”

He studied my face before taking a step toward me.

“Is that what you think this is about?”

“Then what is it about?”

His lips curved into a dark smile.

“Your punishment begins today, Maya.”

My stomach tightened.

“What punishment?”

He stopped in front of me.

“You remember what I told you at the auction, don’t you? I promised I wouldn’t touch you. I promised you would eventually crave what I refused to give you.”

I scoffed, even though his words unsettled me.

“You really think that will happen?”

“I don’t think, Maya. I know.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Perhaps.”

He moved aside, gesturing toward the bed.

“Now, are you going to keep arguing with me, or are you going to get some sleep?”

I glared at him.

“I hate you.”

“That’s fine, wife. You don’t have to love me tonight.”

I grabbed a pillow from the bed.

“I’m sleeping on the couch.”

“Suit yourself.”

I walked over to the couch, dropped the pillow on it, and lay down without looking at him again.

I had barely closed my eyes when his voice came from across the room.

“Goodnight, Maya.”

I ignored him.

A few seconds passed.

Then he spoke again.

“By the way, your things will be moved into my room tomorrow. I don’t want you getting comfortable anywhere else in this house.”

I sat up immediately.

“Alexander!”

He switched off the bedside lamp.

“Goodnight, wife.”

I stared at him in the darkness, furious beyond words.

I’d married him to save my family, and I had every intention of getting what I came for.

But as I lay back down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Alexander had already begun a game whose rules I didn’t understand.

And the worst part?

He seemed to be enjoying every second of it.