Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“Come with me,” Lucas said as he walked toward another room. He opened the door.

The staff bowed as soon as he arrived.

I followed him. I noticed that the room was already furnished, but perfectly tidy.

“We’re going to share this room,” he announced as I held back a gasp of surprise.

“I thought I would have my own room,” I blurted out.

“My grandfather has eyes everywhere. He won’t take long to realize that we’re not actually together.”

I knew he was right, but sharing a room with a stranger still made me uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry. I’ll respect your boundaries and won’t touch you. In front of my grandfather, we’ll only need to play the role of a real couple.”

I nodded.

“Perfect.”

“I’ve cleared part of the wardrobe and a few drawers so you can put your things there,” he declared.

I began putting away my personal belongings while he remained there, watching me.

I started to feel more and more uncomfortable.

“Is that all you have?” he asked.

“Yes.”

I knew he was used to wearing high-quality clothes, but these belongings represented everything I owned that was best.

“Don’t you think you should renew your wardrobe?”

My eyes widened in surprise. Was he trying to insult me?

“Here’s my card. Use it to buy new clothes,” he said, taking out his wallet before handing me a black card with no limit.

“That won’t be necessary, Lucas,” I replied.

“Take it and use it. Consider it a way of thanking you for your help today at the town hall.”

“We still need to discuss the terms of our marriage, but settle in first.”

I took the card and looked at it for a few seconds. He headed toward the door.

“You can ask the driver to take you wherever you want… I’m going to work,” he said without giving me time to respond.

I sighed and collapsed onto the bed, looking at the card between my fingers. After all, it might not be a bad idea to buy myself a few things.

As I went downstairs, I crossed paths with one of the maids.

“Madam, dinner is ready,” she informed me.

“My name is Diana… please, just call me Diana,” I said, finding it strange to be called “madam.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. Mr. Bernard would be furious with me.”

I let her do as she pleased and went to the dining room.

I was surprised to discover the meal that was already waiting for me.

Lucas had gone to work, and I wondered when he would return.

Was he always this busy? If so, I might not see him often.

I didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed about that.

The bank card he had given me kept reminding me of my new situation.

The meal I enjoyed was the best I had eaten in a long time.

I got up from the table and watched the servants clear every plate until the very last one.

“I’d like to buy a few personal things,” I declared.

“Lucas told me that one of the drivers could take me,” I added.

She simply nodded.

“I’ll ask him to get the car ready,” the maid replied, bowing before walking away.

The journey to the shopping center went smoothly.

When I entered, I felt a confidence I had never known before, as if this place belonged to me.

A place I had always admired from afar… and now I was walking in knowing that I could afford almost anything.

All thanks to my husband… Lucas.

I began buying everything I liked.

For the first time, not having to look at the price tags gave me a wonderful feeling.

My phone, tucked inside my bag, rang.

I took it out and held it to my ear.

“Hello, Diana.”

I immediately recognized that voice.

It was David.

A shiver ran through me despite myself.

“Hello, David,” I replied, feeling tears welling up in my eyes again.

All the memories of that day flashed through my mind.

“Why is everyone talking about your marriage to billionaire Lucas Bernard?”

A pang of disappointment washed over me. I thought he was calling to beg for my forgiveness, but I quickly realized that the only reason for his call was that he had learned about my marriage.

“How do you know?” I asked, anger rising inside me.

“Your photos and names are appearing everywhere in the newspapers and on the Internet,” he added.

“How did you meet him?”

“What does it have to do with you?” I replied, letting my emotions take over.

“I just want to know,” he said in a lower voice.

“It’s none of your business anymore since you left with Ophelia… I decided to move on and I married him. Are you jealous?” I whispered.

“You cheated on me and abandoned me, so never call me again,” I shouted.

I had noticed the warning signs when I introduced Ophelia to David.

We were together, but my need to be loved had pushed me to turn a blind eye to all of it.

My fist clenched in anger as I made sure to get my message across before hanging up and permanently blocking his number.

I wondered why I had wasted my time answering his questions.

I hated myself for still feeling something for this man who had betrayed me.

I was married to a stranger, and even though our interactions were still limited, he had already treated me better than David had throughout all those wasted years by his side.

I no longer felt like shopping. So I left the shopping center.

The journey back to the mansion ended quickly, and one of the staff members helped me carry my bags.

I entered my room and headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower.