Chapter 5: Unwanted Attention

Morning came too fast.

Lina barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered where she was…

Who she was with.

And the fact that one wall—

One thin wall—

Was all that separated her from Adrian.

Her husband.

The word still felt unreal.

She sat up slowly, rubbing her temples.

“Get it together,” she whispered to herself.

This was just temporary.

Just a deal.

Nothing more.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Ma’am?”

Lina froze.

Ma’am?

She hesitated before opening the door.

A neatly dressed maid stood outside, bowing slightly.

“Good morning, ma’am. Mr. Blackwood has requested your presence for breakfast.”

Lina blinked.

Breakfast?

With him?

“Tell him I’m not hungry,” she said quickly.

The maid looked… uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. He said it wasn’t a request.”

Of course he did.

Lina sighed.

“Fine. I’ll be there.”

The dining hall was massive.

Too big for just two people.

Lina walked in cautiously—

And stopped.

Adrian was already seated.

Calm.

Composed.

Like always.

As if he hadn’t completely turned her life upside down.

“You’re late,” he said without looking up.

Lina frowned.

“It’s morning, not a business meeting.”

Now he looked at her.

“And yet, you’re still late.”

She rolled her eyes slightly but took her seat.

“I didn’t realize I had to follow your schedule.”

“You’re part of my life now,” he said simply. “So yes—you do.”

Lina clenched her jaw.

Before she could respond, a servant placed food in front of her.

It looked… expensive.

Everything about this place screamed money.

She suddenly felt very small.

Very out of place.

“Eat,” Adrian said.

“I can decide that myself.”

His gaze lifted slowly.

Sharp.

“Eat,” he repeated.

Something in his tone made her pause.

Not fear.

But authority.

She hated that it worked.

Lina picked up her fork.

“Control issues much?” she muttered.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“You’ll get used to it.”

She didn’t respond.

Because she wasn’t planning to.

Just as the silence settled—

A voice cut through the room.

“Well… this is unexpected.”

Lina froze.

That voice…

No.

Slowly, she turned.

And there he was.

Her ex-fiancé.

Standing at the entrance like he belonged there.

Her heart dropped.

“What is he doing here?” she demanded, standing up.

Adrian didn’t even look surprised.

“I invited him.”

The words hit like a slap.

“You WHAT?!”

Her ex walked in confidently, his eyes scanning her.

Then—

He smiled.

But it wasn’t kind.

“Miss me already?” he said.

Lina’s hands curled into fists.

“You have some nerve showing up here.”

He shrugged.

“I had to see it for myself.”

“See what?”

“This,” he gestured between her and Adrian. “This little act.”

“It’s not an act,” she snapped.

“Really?” he smirked. “You expect me to believe you married him just hours after I left you?”

Lina’s chest tightened.

Before she could respond—

Adrian spoke.

“Watch your tone.”

The room went still.

Her ex laughed.

“And what are you going to do about it?”

Adrian finally looked at him.

And this time—

There was no calm.

No indifference.

Just something cold.

Something dangerous.

“I don’t repeat myself,” he said quietly.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

But her ex didn’t back down.

Instead, he turned back to Lina.

“You’re making a mistake,” he said. “You don’t belong here.”

Those words hit deeper than she expected.

But before doubt could settle—

Adrian stood.

In one smooth movement, he walked over—

And wrapped an arm around Lina’s waist.

Pulling her close.

Her breath caught.

“This is my wife,” he said firmly.

The word sent a strange warmth through her chest.

Wife.

“Which means,” he continued, his voice low and controlled…

“She belongs exactly where I say she does.”

Lina’s heart pounded.

She should pull away.

She should say something.

But she didn’t.

Because for the first time since everything happened—

She felt… protected.

Her ex’s expression darkened.

“This isn’t over,” he said.

Adrian’s grip on her tightened slightly.

“It is,” he replied.

A long silence passed.

Then—

Her ex scoffed and turned away.

“Enjoy your fake marriage,” he threw over his shoulder before walking out.

The moment he was gone—

The tension snapped.

Lina quickly stepped away from Adrian.

“I didn’t need your help,” she said, even though she knew it wasn’t entirely true.

Adrian looked at her.

Calm again.

Like nothing had happened.

“Didn’t you?” he asked.

She hesitated.

Then looked away.

“That doesn’t change anything,” she muttered.

“This is still just a deal.”

He studied her for a moment.

Then—

A slow, knowing smile appeared.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

Her heart skipped.

Again.

And she hated it.