The Rules

Chapter 6

Elena’s POV

Damien’s hands explored my body with growing hunger. His fingers squeezed my soft belly, gripped my thick thighs, and cupped my full breasts through the delicate fabric of my wedding dress. I moaned softly into his mouth. I was lost in the heat of his possessive kiss. For one beautiful moment, everything felt real.

The holy vows we had spoken in the garden, the sacred ceremony under the flowers, and the way he had looked at me with such intensity at the altar all blended into something warm and hopeful.

Then his phone vibrated sharply on the nightstand.

A message flashed across the screen before he could silence it. I caught the words clearly. “Miss you tonight, baby.”

It was from one of his whore. The intimate tone hit me like cold water rushing over my skin.

My body tensed immediately. Damien pulled back slightly. His eyes were still dark with desire. But the magic of the moment shattered completely.

The cold reality of our contract marriage rushed back in and froze the warmth that had been building between us.

He silenced the phone without any explanation. He tried to pull me close again. I stepped back gently. My heart ached with fresh pain. The lace and silk of my wedding gown suddenly felt too tight against my full breasts and wide hips.

“Damien…” I whispered. My voice was barely audible in the quiet room.

He exhaled slowly. He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “Come on,” he said. His tone shifted back to business. “It’s late. Let me show you where you’ll be staying tonight.”

I followed him out of the romantically prepared area. Rose petals were still scattered across the floor like forgotten dreams. The champagne bottle sat untouched and chilling on the table.

My beautiful white gown trailed behind me as we moved through the expansive penthouse. The city lights twinkled far below the windows. But the joyful energy from our wedding day was fading fast with every step I took.

Damien led me down a long, quiet hallway to the opposite side of the penthouse. The distance from the main master suite felt intentional and vast. He stopped in front of a set of elegant double doors and pushed them open without ceremony.

“This is your room,” he stated firmly.

I stepped inside and looked around slowly. The guest room was undeniably stunning. A large king-sized bed with crisp white linens and plush pillows dominated the center of the room. The windows offered a private, breathtaking view of the sparkling city below.

A comfortable sitting area with a velvet chaise lounge sat near the windows. The luxurious marble bathroom gleamed with modern fixtures and soft lighting. The walk in closet was already stocked with new designer clothes in my size. Everything was beautiful and carefully chosen.

But it was completely separate from his world.

“We will not share a bed,” Damien continued. His voice was calm and controlled. It left absolutely no room for discussion or softness. “This arrangement is for appearances only.”

I turned slowly to face him. The heavy weight of his words settled deep in my chest.

I was still wearing the same elegant white wedding gown that had hugged my full breasts, accentuated my soft belly, and flowed over my wide hips and thick thighs. The dress that had made me feel sensual and desired at the altar now felt like a beautiful costume in a play that had ended.

He crossed his arms over his chest and laid out the rules one by one.

“Public affection only when necessary. That means for cameras, family events, or business functions. You will not enter my room without my explicit permission. Complete discretion is required at all times. No emotional discussions about our arrangement. We will respect each other’s personal boundaries fully.”

Each new rule landed like another cold stone in my stomach. I stood there in my wedding dress. The beautiful diamond ring he had placed on my finger during our sacred garden ceremony still shone brightly on my hand.

The holy vows we had exchanged in front of our families, and important guests felt painfully distant now.

“I understand,” I whispered. My voice sounded small and fragile in the large, elegant suite.

Damien’s POV

Elena stood there in her wedding gown, looking every bit the beautiful bride she had been today. Her full breasts rose and fell with each breath. Her soft belly and wide hips were accentuated by the fitted fabric. She was nothing like the thin, polished women I used to pursue. She was real. Soft. Curvy. Mine by contract.

I had to set the boundaries now. Before things got complicated. Before I started wanting more than the deal we made. The message on my phone had been a timely reminder of the life I was used to. Simple. Controlled. No feelings involved.

I laid out the rules clearly. Public affection only when necessary. No entering my private space. Complete discretion. No emotional talks. Full respect for boundaries.

She looked hurt. I saw it in her eyes. But this was the deal. This was safer for both of us. I could not afford to let emotions complicate the arrangement that would save my empire.

Elena’s POV

Damien studied me carefully for a long moment. His intense gray eyes showed no softness. No trace of the hunger or emotion from our kiss at the altar or the heated touches just minutes ago. Only calculated business.

As he turned to leave, he paused at the doorway. His broad shoulders filled the frame. He looked back at me one final time. His expression was unreadable.

“Don’t catch feelings, Elena,” he warned. His tone was low, serious, and final. “This is strictly business.”

The door shut firmly between us with a solid click like a final judgment. I stood there completely alone.

I was still dressed in my wedding gown. I stared at the closed door that now separated our lives. The silence felt crushing and absolute.

Tears stung my eyes. I blinked them away quickly. I walked slowly over to the large windows. My hands smoothed down the expensive fabric over my full breasts, soft belly, wide hips, and thick thighs. The dress that had made me feel so feminine during the ceremony now felt heavy and confining.

I reached behind me and slowly unzipped the gown. The silky material slid down my curvy body and pooled at my feet. I stood in front of the full-length mirror in just my delicate lace lingerie. My chubby cheeks were flushed. My soft belly and thick thighs were fully on display. I looked every bit the bride I had been a few hours ago.

But I felt like nothing more than a convenient solution.

The message from that other woman flashed through my mind again.

I turned away from my reflection. I sat down on the edge of the large bed. The rose petals scattered earlier in the night felt like a cruel reminder of what this marriage could have been.

This was my new reality.

A holy and beautiful ceremony on the outside for the world to see. A cold, strictly business contract on the inside. A husband who wanted control and boundaries instead of closeness. A luxurious prison where we lived on completely opposite sides of the same penthouse.

I lay back on the bed. I stared up at the ceiling. The weight of our arrangement pressed down on my chest. The sacred vows, the passionate kiss, the strict rules, and Damien’s final warning at the door all swirled together painfully in my mind.

“Don’t catch feelings.”

The words repeated over and over.

It was already too late. I had fallen for him years ago. And now I am married to him publicly. Yet emotionally, I felt more alone than ever.