Let the drama begin

Ella's POV.

"Yes... Let's do it," I said firmly, my voice barely steady. My hands were cold, but my heart was burning with determination.

"Did your grandma finally agree to it?" Ethan asked, his tone calm, almost cautious.

I bit my lip, feeling a lump in my throat.

"No. I want to do it... without her consent."

He paused for a moment. "Are you sure about this?"

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah.”

“Alright,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “Come to my place before I leave for work. Let’s get through with it.”

I didn’t hesitate to say yes. When the sun started rising, casting a golden light through the tattered curtains of our little room, I quietly left. Grandma and Lucy were still deep asleep. I didn’t want to see their faces—not yet. Not until I had done something... something that could finally lift us out of the dirt.

The address he sent led me to a neighborhood I had only seen in magazines. Expensive houses lined the street like royal guards, each one looking like it had its own zip code. But his house? His house stood out like a crowned king.

Marvelled wasn't even the word. The mansion before me looked like a modern-day castle, stretching tall with walls of pristine marble and massive glass windows that reflected the sunrise like a dream. It had a fountain. An actual fountain, complete with marble cherubs. I swear, I checked if I had teleported to a drama set.

A man in a neat tuxedo bowed slightly at the front gate.

“Good morning, ma. Please, this way. Mr. Ethan is waiting.”

I blinked at the "ma" but followed him like Cinderella being ushered into her fairytale—except there were no glass slippers, just dusty sneakers and a heart pounding like a drum solo.

Inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants greeted me before I even saw Ethan. The butler led me into a grand dining hall—I’m talking gold chandeliers, velvet chairs, and a table long enough to host a royal council.

Ethan was seated at the head of the table, dressed in a sleek black shirt, sipping his coffee like he had no idea he was making hearts flutter somewhere in the world.

“You’re here. Join me,” he said, pointing to the seat across from him.

I hesitated. I’d never eaten in a palace before.

The plates were filled with colorful assortments: buttery croissants, scrambled eggs with chives and cheese, strawberry parfaits, bacon strips arranged like artwork, and even a little glass of orange juice that looked too fancy to drink.

I sat and ate slowly—mostly because I didn’t want to look like I was eating for survival (even though I was). And girl, it tasted like heaven had kissed every bite.

When we were done, he brought out the contract papers like he was handing me my destiny. My fingers trembled as I signed my name.

Ella Thompson.

Just like that, I watched as one million pounds landed in my account. My jaw nearly unhinged.

“A million…” I whispered. “Oh my God. This is real…”

“I’ll also make sure your friend gets a place at one of the hotels,” Ethan added. “And if you’d like—”

“Yes,” I blurted, not even letting him finish. “I’d like to work too.”

He smirked slightly. “Alright. Since tomorrow’s Saturday, we’ll take wedding photos. your face will be blurred, and then we’re done. You’ll move in when you're ready.”

It felt crazy. But I nodded. Honestly, it didn’t sound so bad. Fake a marriage, blur my face, and live like a secret princess? Sure.

I left feeling like I had just won the lottery, then used part of the money to pay our rent—quietly, without telling Grandma. The next day, we went all out. I got to wear the most stunning wedding gown, white lace and satin that made me feel like a Disney bride.

The photos were perfect. The headline wasn’t.

CEO OF CALDWELL HOTELS, ETHAN GOT MARRIED TO THE GIRL HE IMPREGNATED TO SHOW HIS RESPONSIBILITY.

I was sprawled out on the couch, finally resting, when Grandma stormed in with the newspaper.

“Is that you? On this paper?! The landlady called. Said our rent was paid! Was that you too?!”

I opened my mouth… but nothing came out.

“This isn’t the life I want for you, Ella…” she said, her voice shaky. She looked tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of hoping.

“Ma… we can’t live like this anymore. Someone had to do something. I mean, my face isn’t even showing. I just have to play the secret wife. Nothing else. And the baby—” I glanced at my stomach, “—it needs support. Please, just understand.”

Lucy came over and rubbed her back, whispering soft things I couldn’t hear. Grandma didn’t speak again.

I sat back, hands folded over my belly. I wasn’t proud of this... but I wasn’t ashamed either. If I couldn’t remove the baby, then I had to give it a fighting chance.

Later, Lucy sat beside me.

“You should’ve told us,” she whispered.

“I know,” I said. “I just... couldn’t sit and watch anymore.”

Her eyes softened. “You did it for us.”

I nodded.

“Oh, by the way—Ethan promised you a job at one of his hotels.”

Her face lit up like fireworks.

“Wait, seriously?!”

I laughed. “Yeah. You deserve a decent job.”

She hugged me so tight I nearly choked. And for once, I felt... like a proper adult.

The following Monday,

I moved into Ethan’s house like a silent wife. Grandma was still sulking, but she didn’t stop me. The house was more majestic than I remembered. When the maids helped me carry my bags in, I saw the room Ethan had prepared for me.

It was demure elegance—muted rose wallpaper, soft cream-colored curtains, a queen-sized bed with embroidered sheets, and a cozy little reading nook. Not flashy. Just soft. Like it was designed for someone who needed peace.

Ethan left early. Of course he did. I wasn’t expecting a kiss on the forehead or “let me drive you to work, honey.”

I was just a fake, remember?

Still, I freshened up and hailed a taxi—ten minutes later, I arrived at Caldwell Enterprises.

Inside, the receptionist smiled as if I was important.

“Miss Ella Thompson?”

“Yes,” I said, trying not to sound like a fan girl of my own life.

“Please, this way. The boss is expecting you.”

I followed her through a glassy office space that looked like something out of a movie. Ethan’s personal office was like a spaceship—walled with glass and glowing softly in the morning light. Around him were five employees, typing away like they were saving the planet.

I greeted them awkwardly.

Ethan emerged like he was walking out of a photoshoot.

“This is Ella. The new assistant secretary.”

“Hi…” I said, managing a weak smile. “Nice to work with you all.”

They clapped. Not dramatically, just a polite welcome. Then he pointed at an empty desk, and I sat.

Almost immediately, a woman leaned toward me with a mischievous grin.

“Are you sure you can do this? The CEO is a perfectionist. Total workaholic. Zero tolerance for nonsense.”

I blinked. “Y…yes. I’ll try.”

“I’m Rose, by the way,” she said, giving me a wink.

“Nice to meet you, Rose.”

“Nice to meet you too, Ella. … I heard the CEO married a mysterious girl. No one even knows what she looks like. Kinda creepy-cute, right?”

I smiled faintly. “Seriously?”

She nodded like it was juicy gossip. “He doesn’t even look at women. I swear he’s emotionally frozen.”

The phone on my desk rang, shrill and demanding.

“Oh …” Rose muttered. “He’s started. Better buckle up.”

I inhaled sharply and grabbed the receiver, 

Let the drama... begin.