Chapter Six

Nina woke and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

It was definitely not hers.

The room was too quiet. Bigger than any bedroom she had ever slept in.

Then she remembered.

The courthouse. The signatures. Victor Hale. Her husband.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she pushed herself upright. The sheets slipped down her arms, revealing the bed beneath her. It was enormous, soft but supportive, sinking just slightly under her weight. Nothing like the sagging mattress she had dragged herself out of at her apartment.

This wasn’t her apartment. This wasn’t her life.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her bare feet touched cool marble. Smooth. Clean. Polished. Every step reminded her she didn’t belong here yet.

The entire wall opposite the bed was glass, stretching floor to ceiling. Beyond it, the city sprawled endlessly, rows of buildings fading into the morning light. The streets below looked distant and small, like a world that suddenly felt far away.

Nina’s reflection caught her attention. Messy dark hair spilling over one shoulder, oversized black shirt, one that Victor had handed her the night before. She had put it on without thinking.

One year, she reminded herself. That’s all this was. One year of pretending. One year of living like someone she wasn’t.

She walked slowly toward the windows, letting her hands trail along the glass. The city below looked different from here. Quieter. Contained. Safe in a way she wasn’t used to.

Nina glanced toward the kitchen.

A coffee cup sat on the marble island, still steaming. A folded note rested beside it with her name written across the front.

She unfolded it carefully.

You were asleep when I left.

Clothes are in the dressing room down the hall.

My assistant will arrive at nine.

Try not to look terrified in front of her.

Nina blinked.

Victor’s handwriting was neat and direct.

She picked up the coffee. It was strong, dark. Exactly how she liked it.

Nina paused.

That was… convenient.

A soft mechanical hum made her glance toward the far end of the penthouse. The elevator. Already?

The doors slid open, and Victor walked out in a dark suit like he’d been ready for hours, his hair combed back. He paused when he saw her, expression unreadable, his eyes moving over her carefully.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“I read your note.”

“I assumed you would.”

“And the coffee.”

“Yes.”

Victor watched her. Nina pretended not to notice, but she felt it anyway.

He hadn’t moved an inch, but the space between them felt nearly as safe as it should be.

“You’ll manage appearances,” he said quietly, motioning vaguely toward the city outside. “And try not to look terrified.”

“I’m trying to survive,” she muttered, half to herself.

Victor gave a small, amused smile. “You’re making an effort. That’s something.”

Nina was about to respond when the elevator chimed. She turned toward it, confused. It was too early for visitors.

The doors slid open slowly. A woman stepped out. She carried herself as if she belonged here. Tall. Elegant. Completely at ease.

Nina frowned.

Victor had never mentioned anyone coming.

Nina didn’t recognize her.

Her eyes settled on Nina, but there was nothing friendly about it. The way she studied Nina made it clear she saw an intruder. This woman wasn’t here to be polite.

Victor didn’t react; he didn’t move. Olivia looked at Nina from head to toe before meeting her eyes again.

“You’re… her?” Olivia looked Nina over slowly, then laughed.

Nina held her gaze but said nothing. Victor spoke from behind her.

“Olivia. You shouldn’t be here.”

“No,” Olivia said. “I thought I should see Victor’s new wife. To meet the person Victor Hale chose over me.”

Nina straightened a little. If Olivia expected her to shrink back, she would be disappointed.

Olivia’s gaze didn’t leave her. “Interesting choice, Victor. I must admit, I’m… curious.”

Victor’s expression didn’t change. “You’re done here, Olivia.”

No one spoke for a moment. Nina stood still, realizing this situation was bigger than she expected.

Olivia’s gaze moved between them.

“Congratulations,” she said lightly. “I didn’t realize you were capable of surprises, Victor.”

Victor didn’t answer.

Nina glanced at him briefly. He hadn’t moved, but something about him felt colder now.

“You came all this way just to comment on my personal life?” he asked.

Olivia ignored the question.

Her attention returned to Nina, calm and curious.

“So,” she said. “How long did it take him to convince you?”

Nina frowned.

“To marry him.”

The words hung in the air.

Victor stepped forward slightly.

“That’s enough.”

Olivia tilted her head, amused.

“Relax, Victor. I’m only trying to understand.”

Then she looked at Nina. “Most people know better than to involve themselves in Hale family affairs.”

Nina folded her arms.

“I’m not most people.”

For the first time, Olivia looked genuinely interested.

Victor watched the exchange quietly.

Then he spoke.

“Olivia.”

Just her name.

A warning.

Olivia smiled faintly, but her attention drifted past them for a moment, toward the city outside.

Then she looked back at Nina.

“Enjoy the penthouse,” she said.

Her gaze lingered for a second longer.

“As long as it lasts.”

Nina didn’t move.

Something about the way Olivia stood there, completely at ease, unsettled her more than the words, as if she had expected this. She was unflappable, like nothing about the situation surprised her.

Like Nina was the only one out of place.

Victor stood behind her. Steady. Controlled. It didn’t ease anything. If anything, it made the tension in the room sharper.

Olivia looked around the penthouse, taking in the glass walls and the quiet luxury. There was no admiration in her expression. No curiosity. Just familiarity.

Nina’s fingers tightened against her arms.

The thought sat wrong.

Olivia looked back at Nina, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence stretched.

Then Olivia’s lips curved slightly, not quite a smile, but close enough to mean something.

Nina watched Olivia slip her phone back into her bag.

Then Olivia looked at Victor.

And smiled.