CHAPTER FOUR:My new reality

Mia's POV

The reception was being held at Jonathan's estate, everything about today was prepared and designed to establish Jonathan as the center of the marriage, the price.

I was just a side character.

The estate itself was bigger than ours, with a mansion that could probably house fifty people comfortably. Jonathan had built his empire from nothing, turning a small tech startup into a billion-dollar company losing who he was in the process.

"Your belongings were moved to the left sude of the house yesterday," Jonathan said, his eyes narrowing as we finally entered the gates after several long minutes. The first words he'd spoken to me since we met at the church. His tone was wasn't even conversational, it was like he was talking to his employee. "You'll have your own suite, your own office space if you need it. I travel frequently for work, when I'm home, we'll maintain appearances for necessary social functions. Beyond that, I expect you to stay out of my way."

How charming. "Of course, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you with my presence in your home."

His gaze cut through me, fierce and sharp, his voice slightly raised and authoritative. "Let's be clear about what this is, Mia. Your father offered me access to international markets and investors that I need and I offered him legal business channels. You're just a part of that transaction so I don't expect us to pretend this is anything more than it is."

Transaction, there was that word again, as if I was a commodity, not a person.

"How romantic," I said sweetly, a smile tugging at my lips. "Now can i be on my merry way to our bedroom?"

"You won't be in my bedroom." His voice was carried the tone that suggested there was no room for argument. "The left side of the house is yours, I'll live on the right, we have separate spaces and separate lives, we will only mingle when it's necessary."

"Understood," I said with a cold tone, matching his."I'll be sure to schedule any necessary wife activities through your assistant."

"See that you do." The car stopped in front of the main entrance and Jonathan got out without waiting for me, his long legs carrying him toward the house where guests were already gathering.

Asshole. I grabbed my dress and followed him wearing an unnecessary large smile that made me feel like my face was about to crack.

The reception area was filled with people I didn't know and didn't want to know, the numbers were more than that of the church wedding, but the same carefully curated mix of business associates and family members who all looked like they were attending a funeral instead of a wedding. My father smoking pot close to the bar, looking pleased and full of himself, with Elena and my stepsisters surrounding him with mischievous smiles on their faces.

I caught Collins watching me with the corner of my eyes, with an expression i couldn't quite read.

"Mia." My father approached me, placing his heavy on my shoulder which was surprising, since he hasn't exactly wanted to be in close proximity with me for ages. "Come, there are people you need to meet."

I followed him because that's what good daughters did, even when their fathers were self serving pieces of shit.

The next hour was filled with introductions to different people and their half assed congratulations. Men with suspiciously vague business descriptions but expensive suits, and women dripping in diamonds that seemed too extravagant for their husbands' supposed import/export businesses. 

Jonathan played his part perfectly like he had spent time rehearsing how to pretend. He introduced me as "my wife, Mia" his hand occasionally touching my back just for appearances.

"Your wife is lovely," one man said to Jonathan, his smile too wide for the words he was saying. "Such a beneficial arrangement, I'm sure your partnership with her father will prove very...profitable."

"I certainly hope so." Jonathan's smiled, his gaze intensely focused on the man. "Vittorio has promised access to several international investment opportunities, I'm looking forward to exploring those options.” He took a quick glance at his watch like he was expected somewhere. "If you'll excuse us," Jonathan said abruptly, his grip on my elbow firm as he controlled me away. Once we were out of hearing range, he released me immediately like holding me was burning him. "Try to look less miserable, people are starting to notice."

"Maybe I wouldn't look so miserable if my husband could manage to fake basic civility." I shot back at him.

"I'm being perfectly civil." He responded, his eyebrows raising slightly. "I'm standing next to you, introducing you to people, fulfilling my obligations as agreed, what more do you want?"

To not feel like I'm being paraded around like livestock."it's cool.” I heard the words stumble out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"Good." He checked his watch again and i noticed that it was a sleek piece that probably cost more than a car. "I have to take a call, don't forget to mingle and be charming."

Then he walked away, leaving me standing alone in a room full of strangers.

I found my way to the gardens, desperate for air and space. 

"You look like you need this." Clara came to me holding out a glass of champagne. "Rough night?"

"What do you want, Clara?" I asked my eyeballs rolling backwards.

"Just checking on my sister." She sipped her own drink, her eyes sparkling with malicious amusement. "Jonathan seems... intense, not quite the loving husband material, is he?" She shuddered dramatically. "Must be hard, being treated like that by a man you used to—"

"Finish that sentence and I'll push you into the fountain," I said with a forced smile tugging at my lips.

She laughed out loud, without caring whether or not people could hear her. "There's the Mia I know. For a second, I thought marriage had broken your spirit already.”

"Get away from me, Clara." I shot at her, my voice raising slightly.

 She set down her empty glass, taking a final glance at me. "Oh, and one more thing? Collins has been asking about you, he wanted to know if you were settling in alright. I told him you seemed perfectly happy with your new husband."

"You talked to Collins?"

She walked out on me for the second time today, without answering me, leaving me shaking with fury.

I stayed in the gardens until the reception calmed down and the last guests went home and the staff began cleaning up. When I finally made my way back inside, the house was quiet, and I could finally observe how beautiful it was.

A member of staff—middle-aged woman with kind eyes—approached me. "Mrs. Mysterio? I'm Lydia, the head housekeeper, I'll show you to your rooms."

I followed her through several corridors until we finally stopped at a set of double doors

"Here we are." Lydia said, opening the double doors. "Mr. Mysterio had everything prepared according to your father's specifications, If you need anything, just ring the bell beside tbe bed."

The suite was extremely beautiful, my clothes were already unpacked and my belongings arranged properly, even more than i could myself. 

"Thank you, Lydia." I mustered a little smile despite how tired and exhausted I was.

"Of course." She hesitated at the door, scanning my face. "If I may speak, Mrs. Mysterio...it gets easier. Mr. Mysterio can be difficult, but he's not cruel."

She left without another word and i finally let myself collapse onto the bed, still wearing my wedding dress, staring at the ceiling of my new prison.

Somewhere in this massive house, Jonathan was probably working, completely unbothered by the fact that he'd just married someone and I was here, alone, bound to a man who looked at me with disgust waiting for the order to destroy him.

My phone buzzed with a single text from an unsaved number, probably Collins using an untraceable line. “First task, locate his office and report back in 48 hours. “

I removed my wedding dress and changed into something else, something more comfortable and i hung it in the closet, my mind trying to figure out how I was going to spy on a man who'

d already made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me.

Welcome to married life, Mia.