CHAPTER 4: THE NEW LIFE

Sienna's POV

Waking up to a new morning meant waking up to a white Bentley parked in front of the apartment I was managing. A man and a lady in crisp black and white uniforms stood in front of my door, both smiling like they had known me their entire lives.

"Good morning, Mrs. Sienna," the lady said. "We were instructed by Mr. Ashford to pick you up."

It was just like that. Becoming Sebastian Ashford's wife. I straightened my shoulders, resolved in my decision. I was leaving my past behind. Everything about my old life was about to disappear.

"You do not need to bring anything," the lady continued. "We would like you to list all you need”

I looked around my small apartment. The furniture was old. The walls were bare. Nothing here represented who I was or who I wanted to be. Nothing here belonged in the world I was about to enter.

"Alright," I said. "What do I refer to you as?"

The lady bowed slightly. "I am your new head attendant, and this is Mr. Smith, your driver."

Driver. The word felt foreign on my tongue. I had never had a driver. I had never had an attendant. I had spent three years as Dominic's secret girlfriend, and even then, I had been invisible. Invisible to everyone except him. Now I was about to become visible to the entire world as Sebastian Ashford's wife.

I looked toward the expensive car sitting in front of my building like a light in the darkness. A new present. New things. New possibilities.

We walked to the car, and the smell hit me first. New leather. Expensive leather. The kind that came from cars that cost more than most people's houses. The ride from my downtown street to the main city of New York took over two hours. The car moved smoothly through traffic, and I pressed my face against the window like a child seeing the world for the first time.

The car entered into a curb arranged with many other cars. Expensive cars. Ferraris and Lamborghinis and Range Rovers that looked like they belonged in magazines. I knew we had reached the first step of my present. The car opened, and the air hit differently as I stepped out. The tall penthouse loomed above me, looking even more imposing up close. The building was glass and steel, all sharp angles and modern design. It looked like power. It looked like money. It looked like everything I didn't have.

There were staff members moving about, all busy, all focused on whatever task they were doing. None of them looked up at me. None of them seemed to care that a girl in worn jeans and a faded shirt was stepping out of a Bentley.

"Ma'am, this way please," the attendant gestured toward the large door.

I followed her as we stepped into the luxurious interior. This was on another level entirely. The living room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the entire city. The furniture was modern and minimalist, all clean lines and expensive fabrics. There was a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a five-star restaurant, all stainless steel and marble countertops. The walls were decorated with art that probably cost more than my entire life.

A few staff members were arranging things and cleaning, moving silently through the space like ghosts.

A phone rang, interrupting my observation.

"Ma'am, you have a call," one of the staff members said.

A new phone was placed in my hands. I turned it over, staring at the features. The caller ID showed a number I didn't recognize, and I had a feeling I knew who it was.

"Hello," I said.

"I guessed you arrived already?" That voice. His voice. Deep and rich and somehow soothing even through the phone speaker.

Sebastian Ashford.

"Yes, just now," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Instructing your staff to pick me up is so dramatic. I could have just taken a cab."

I walked around the living room, letting my eyes scale over everything. The art. The furniture. The view of the city stretching out below us like a kingdom.

"Well, I wanted to do a little surprise," he said. "That car is yours. You like it?"

I went silent. Hoping I had heard him right.

"The Bentley?" I asked.

"Yes. Just think of it as part of the benefits of this marriage," he said, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.

"Benefits?" I repeated. "Alright then. It's a nice car."

"So how do you feel about the arrangement? The settings?" he asked.

The attendant led me to the elevator, and I watched her press the button for the thirty-fourth floor. The elevator was all glass on one side, and as we ascended, the city grew smaller below us.

"The house is perfect," I said into the phone. "There is no need for anything to be changed. I feel like everything is in the perfect state. I love it."

I didn't know why speaking to him on the phone felt so soothing. Like talking to an old friend. Like talking to someone who actually cared about what I thought.

"Well, I am glad you love it. That is my private line, so you can call me anytime. I would be back soon. Settle well. The attendant will attend to your needs," he said.

"Alright then," I replied.

And just like that, the call ended. I stared at the phone, at the blank space for saving his number. I clicked on save. Sebastian Ashford. Even typing his name felt significant somehow.

The elevator dinged after what seemed like forever. We had reached the thirty-fourth floor. My floor.

"There are three rooms on this floor," the attendant said gently, carefully picking her words. "We have prepared this floor for you to choose whichever you prefer."

I walked through the hallway, peeking into each room. They were all enormous. All beautifully decorated. All empty in a way that made me understand that this space was waiting for me to fill it with myself.

I finally chose a spacious bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The walls were painted a soft gray. The bed was massive, with white linens that looked like clouds. There was a sitting area with a comfortable chair and a reading lamp. The closet was walk-in and completely empty, waiting for me to fill it.

"This one," I said.

The rest of the settling was easy. The attendant moved in and out of my room, arranging clothes and other things I had requested. She asked me questions about colors and styles and preferences. Who knew I could actually have what I wished for here? At Sebastian's orders. Or rather, at my orders now.

By 8 PM…

 I was lying on the bed after a long shower, scrolling through my social media. Something had been worrying me since I heard one of the attendants whisper to another.

"Is she the new girlfriend? I hope Miss K won't cause a problem," one had whispered.

Who the hell was Miss K? I had tried not to be concerned about Sebastian's affairs. I had a mission. I wanted to use him to destroy Dominic. But something about it felt disturbing.

I searched online and found the Ashford company page, which directly led me to his personal page. I scrolled, looking for anything related to Miss K. Something caught my attention. A post from three years ago. Sebastian Ashford allegedly in a relationship with a popular model and heiress. The picture was not revealed. The name was not given.

I continued scrolling. Nothing was given specific information.

Was this some private stuff? Had he offered a marriage contract to other women too?

I dropped my phone and scoffed. Does he just do this with all women?

I shook my head. Well, that was not a concern. I had accepted this. Anything regarding his personal life should not be a concern to me. I had to make Dominic pay for his actions. That was the mission. That was the only thing that mattered.

The doorbell rang, retracting me from my thoughts.

"Good evening, Mrs. Sienna," one of the staff members called through the intercom. "Mr. Sebastian requests your attention downstairs."

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was damp from the shower. I was wearing a simple shirt and pants. I looked like myself. I looked like a girl who didn't belong in this world.

But I was here now. And I had a role to play.

I took a deep breath and headed toward the door.