Chapter 3

Ellie’s P.O.V.

Standing at the massive entrance, the tall oakwood doors opened before I could touch them. A white-haired man stood there inside, straight-backed despite the years etched on his face.

His expressions were neutral, professional to the point of indifference.

“The young madam has arrived,” he spoke steadily. Behind him, a woman stepped forward, equally composed, her gray hair tied neatly at the back.

“Please come with me.”

I nodded and followed her silently. The mansion looked even larger from inside. Cold marble floor, high ceilings, soft lighting that failed to reach the corners.

Everything was immaculate and distant.

Servants in uniform stood along the hallways, their gazes sharp as we passed, standing still like statues.

I lowered my gaze, my steps echoing loudly in the quietness.

“This will be your room,” the maid said abruptly, stopping in front of a door.

She didn’t even wait for my response and opened the door, walking forward.

“You should freshen up first,” she added curtly. “Your clothes… aren’t suitable.”

Her eyes moved over my dress, disgust evident in her keen gaze.

My white gown was indeed wrinkled and dust-stained now, no longer a proper dress.

I nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

But she didn’t respond. That maid simply gestured towards the bathroom and left, closing the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, I looked around. The room was spacious, elegant, and carefully arranged. Soft pastel tones gave it a calm, almost unreal beauty. White net curtains flowed gently over the wall-sized glass windows.

By the time I stepped out after a quick rinse, the soft moonlight filtered through the glass, painting everything silver.

The room was empty, but a dress was placed on a king-sized bed, its deep red color a sharp contrast with the white bedding.

Its fabric was silk, soft enough to catch the light even in the dim room.

“A nightdress?” I frowned.

It wasn’t inappropriate, but it wasn’t right either.

A quiet unease curled in my chest. I walked towards the door and opened it.

“Hello? I need my bags.”

My voice echoed, but the halls were empty, not a single person in sight.

Swallowing my frustration, I went back inside. With no other choice, I picked up the dress and changed.

The fabric slid over my skin easily, the knee-length hem making me feel uncomfortable.

The sleeveless cut left my arms bare, and the neckline dipped lower than I was used to.

Adjusting it instinctively, I sat on the bed, waiting for the next chapter of my life.

The silence pressed in from all sides, and just like that, the last twelve hours came rushing back.

The humiliation.

The broken wedding.

The forced marriage.

The rumors.

Jared’s voice echoed in my head.

“Nobody likes to associate with that lecher. He ruined our family reputation.”

A notorious man, who was caught with prostitutes at a party, was now my husband!

My grip tightened on the fabric.

The more I thought about it, this entire setting made me feel unsettled.

“Why this dress? What kind of man lives here alone?”

As I thought more about it, a sliver of dread touched my spine.

“No.” I stood abruptly. “I am not doing this.”

My gaze fell on the closet in the right corner. Without thinking, I walked towards it, muttering under my breath.

“There has to be something else to wear. Anything but this.”

I pulled the closet open, only to find men’s clothes lined neatly inside it.

Raising my hand, I was about to grab a pair of casual wear when the door opened behind me, freezing me mid-motion.

A deep masculine voice resounded in my ears.

“You seem very comfortable in my room.”

Shoot!

I turned around sharply… and forgot how to breathe.

The man standing by the door wasn’t old, physically weak, or sick.

In fact, he wasn’t anything like a man I had prepared myself for.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood there, dressed in dark clothes that fit him too well, outlining his lean yet muscular frame.

His observant amber eyes were fixed on me, scanning me unapologetically.

“If you are trying to provoke something,” he said, his voice low and cold, “you picked the wrong man to test.”

My pulse spiraled out of control.

“I… I,” I stammered, barely managing a response. “I didn’t know this was your room.”

His gaze slid past me to the closet.

“Well,” he said dryly, “that much is obvious.”

“I was brought here…” I rushed to clarify. “The maid said…”

“To stay in my room?” He interrupted, raising a brow. “I didn’t ask for that!”

Flash news!

Neither did I.

But before I could respond, he spoke again.

“You must be the new wife.”

His gaze held mine as he paused, just long enough to make my pulse spike.

“For my father.”

My heart did a somersault in my chest as he spoke casually.

“I am Zack. And you?”

My husband...

Had a son?

I gawked at that dangerously handsome man in his early thirties, my mind blank.

And me?

I married and suddenly became a stepmother at the age of twenty-one?

“That’s… not what I was told,” I spoke before I could stop myself. “Mr. Charles said that Mr. Walton lives alone.”

A faint smirk touched his plump lips.

“People here rarely tell the right thing, Mrs. Walton!”

This was the second time I was addressed like that, but this time, it hit me differently. His tone was calm but edged with something I couldn’t quite name.

Zack narrowed his eyes as he stepped forward, each step slow and deliberate.

“Why are you still here?”

I said, holding my ground.

“Your staff brought me here.”

He closed the distance between us, stopping right in front of me.

“You already know this isn’t your room.”

The intoxicating fragrance of his cologne waltzed into my nose, laced with his manly scent.

I shrank back as he leaned forward, his sinfully alluring face too close to mine.

“My dad is in the hospital. So tell me...”

Zack’s amber eyes lowered, sweeping over me slowly. His gaze didn’t just look; it lingered. Long enough to make me aware of every inch of my exposed skin.

“Is that why you are here? In this dress?”

Heat rushed to my face as his gaze stayed at my tits for a long moment before meeting my widened eyes.

“Planning to spend the night here?”

Gosh!

My heart betrayed me, beating wildly, but I snapped at him.

“Where am I supposed to go? I just got here. No one told me anything. Not even that my husband is in the hospital.”

I pointed my finger at him. “And you... Watch your words. I don’t want to stay here. Even for a second.”

Something shifted in his expression, not anger.

Interest.

Zack straightened and stepped aside.

“Then don’t.”

I walked past him immediately.

“Thank you.”

Zack’s calm voice called me from behind.

“Where are you going?”

“Hospital.”

My response was sharp—instant and precise.

“To see my husband.”

“Like this?” Zack’s query halted me in my tracks.

I paused at the door and glanced at my dress.

Damn that maid!

Zack chuckled lightly.

“I thought so.”

Ignoring his comment, I opened and looked outside, hoping to find a servant from the army I met an hour ago. But the pin-drop silence and the empty hallway forced me to turn back.

“Then…” I asked reluctantly. “Where am I supposed to live?”

Zack crossed his arms over his chest, his infuriatingly calm expression testing my patience.

“You have two options.”

He said calmly. “Stay here... like you were planning.”

My furious glare burned into him as he smirked.

“Or I can have someone take you to the guest room.”

Balling my fists, I spoke stiffly. “Guest room. Please.”

“That’s a good idea.” He clicked his tongue.

As he took out his phone to call a servant, I noted in my mind.

Stay away from this stepson at any cost!