Ashford Mansion

Chapter Five:

Neria’s POV

I had imagined what a billionaire’s home would look like, but nothing prepared me for Ashford Mansion.

The gates slowly opened, and the car drove through a long driveway lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and fountains. The mansion stood proudly in the distance, surrounded by beautiful gardens. It looked less like a house and more like a palace.

I suddenly felt underdressed.

“This is your home?” I asked quietly.

Caelan looked out of the window.

“Yes.”

That was all he said.

The car stopped in front of the entrance. Before I could reach for the door, one of the security guards opened it for me.

I stepped out, looking around carefully.

Several housekeepers stood in two neat lines. A middle-aged man in a black suit walked forward with a warm smile.

“Welcome home, Mr. Ashford.”

His eyes moved to me.

“And welcome home, Mrs. Ashford.”

The title made me uncomfortable.

“I’m not really—”

“You are,” Caelan interrupted calmly. “From today onward.”

The butler gave a polite bow.

“My name is Mr. Collins. I manage the household. If you need anything, simply let me know.”

I smiled politely.

“Thank you.”

As we entered the mansion, I couldn’t stop looking around. The marble floors reflected the crystal chandeliers above us. Expensive paintings covered the walls, and fresh flowers filled every corner of the house.

Everything was spotless.

It didn’t feel like a home.

It felt like a museum.

“You’ll get used to it,” Caelan said without looking at me.

“I doubt that.”

For the first time since meeting him, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

It wasn’t exactly a smile.

But it was close.

Mr. Collins led us upstairs.

“Mrs. Ashford’s room has been prepared.”

I stopped walking.

“My room?”

Caelan looked at me.

“We agreed to separate rooms.”

I nodded slowly.

“Right.”

For some reason, hearing him say it made the marriage feel even less real.

Mr. Collins opened a large white door.

“This will be your bedroom.”

I walked inside.

The room was almost as big as my entire apartment.

A king-sized bed sat in the middle. Large windows overlooked the gardens, and a private balcony stretched across one side of the room.

There was even a sitting area beside the fireplace.

“This is too much,” I whispered.

“If there’s anything you don’t like, we’ll replace it,” Caelan said.

I turned to him.

“I don’t need expensive things.”

“I know.”

Again, his answer was simple.

He always spoke only when necessary.

Mr. Collins excused himself, leaving us alone.

Caelan placed a small envelope on the table.

“Inside are your new bank cards, identification documents, and access cards.”

I frowned.

“I don’t need your money.”

“They aren’t gifts.”

He looked directly into my eyes.

“They’re necessary. The public now believes you’re my wife. If someone sees you unable to pay for lunch, they’ll start asking questions.”

I hated admitting he was right.

Still, accepting them made me feel guilty.

“I’ll only use them when necessary.”

“I expected nothing less.”

After a few moments of silence, he checked his watch.

“I have a board meeting.”

“Already?”

“The world doesn’t stop because I got married.”

I almost laughed.

“I suppose billionaires don’t get days off.”

“No.”

He walked toward the door before stopping.

“There are twenty-four-hour security guards around the mansion.”

I blinked.

“That sounds excessive.”

“It isn’t.”

His face became serious again.

“Until we know who’s behind the leak, you don’t leave this property alone.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can.”

His voice stayed calm.

“But I’d rather not take the risk.”

Before I could argue again, he left.

The door quietly closed behind him.

I released a long breath.

“What have I gotten myself into?”

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

A young maid entered carrying several shopping bags.

“Mrs. Ashford?”

“Yes?”

“These arrived for you.”

I looked inside the bags.

Designer dresses.

Shoes.

Jewelry.

Handbags.

Everything was expensive.

“There must be some mistake.”

The maid smiled.

“No, ma’am. Mr. Ashford personally selected everything.”

“He bought all of this?”

“Yes.”

I sighed.

He barely spoke to me, yet somehow he knew my clothing size.

That thought made me uneasy.

Later that evening, I wandered downstairs looking for the kitchen.

Instead, I found the mansion’s enormous library.

Thousands of books filled the shelves from floor to ceiling.

I smiled without realizing it.

Finally…

One room that felt alive.

I walked between the shelves, running my fingers across old book covers.

“You like books?”

I turned quickly.

Caelan stood near the doorway.

“I didn’t hear you.”

“You were distracted.”

“I guess I was.”

He walked farther inside.

“My mother loved this room.”

I looked at him in surprise.

It was the first time he had voluntarily mentioned his family.

“What was she like?”

His expression softened.

“Kind.”

He stared at one of the shelves.

“She believed every problem could be solved by reading.”

I smiled.

“I think I would have liked her.”

For a brief second, silence filled the room.

It wasn’t uncomfortable.

It actually felt peaceful.

Then his phone rang.

His expression changed immediately after seeing the caller’s name.

“What is it?” he answered.

He listened without speaking.

His jaw slowly tightened.

“I’m on my way.”

The call ended.

“What happened?” I asked.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

“Someone broke into your father’s office tonight.”

The smile disappeared from my face.

“What?”

“They were searching for something.”

My heart started racing.

“Did they find it?”

“I don’t know.”

He looked at me with eyes colder than I had ever seen before.

“But whoever leaked our contract has officially made their first move.”

And suddenly, Ashford Mansion no longer felt like the safest place in the city.