THREE

Jane

After dragging myself out of bed around six a.m., I went for an early morning run to clear my head. The last three weeks have been a disaster! I feel like I’m drowning. Prince treats me as if I’m his property.

All he does is boss me around and bark orders at me every chance he gets. It’s not like I can do anything about it, since the contract clearly states that I must respect and obey him. Whenever I try to do something kind for him, all he does is get mad. I’ve never met someone more rude and self-centered. I haven’t left the house since we got married—today was the first time. I just couldn’t stay there and drown any longer.

When I got back to the house, Prince was on the phone, talking as usual. He wore a gray business suit. When his eyes caught mine, he hung up and approached me.

“I’m going to work today. Don’t call or text me. I don’t care if you’re dying—don’t contact me,” he said, pushing past me. I rolled my eyes and entered the house.

“I’ll get you a cup of tea, Mrs. Criv— I mean, Cheska,” Hannah said as she headed to the kitchen.

“Thank you, Hannah. I’ll take a quick shower and then help you clean.”

I ran upstairs, took a quick shower, and came back down. I sat at the table and started drinking my tea. I’m so bored. Sitting here every day, scrolling through I*******m or watching N*****x, is depressing. God, it’s making me lose my mind. I seriously need to talk to Slug Face about letting me work. That’s one of his many nicknames. You’d be surprised how many terrible names you can come up with just by being around him for a few seconds.

It’s not like I can go out and work. My contract with Prince’s mom strictly forbids it. I feel like a prisoner in all of this. Well, technically, I am.

After I finished eating, I stood up to take my plate to the kitchen and noticed a container of food on the table.

“Whose is this?” I asked, turning to Hannah.

“Oh, Mr. Crivelli left it there, ma’am.”

“I’ll take it to him!”

“Are you sure? I don’t want him to get angry with you,” she said with concern.

“Don’t worry, Han. Slug Face will be alright.”

“Slug Face?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded and smiled. “That’s his new name,” I said, grabbing the cup. Then I left for Prince’s office. Don’t ask me why I made this stupid decision. I guess I’m just dumb, nosy, or desperate to get out of this house.

I rushed upstairs, freshened up, and headed out. Maybe after dropping this off, I can meet up with my brother. It’s been a while since we spoke. I’ve actually been avoiding his calls.

Axel

I walked out of my meeting and headed back to my office. I finally had a moment of peace. That wife of mine is making my life hell. She’s just like all the women I’ve been with—money-hungry and manipulative. She even went as far as convincing my mother to arrange this marriage. Just another gold-digging…

When I’m done with her, she’ll regret the day she begged my mother to make us husband and wife. I’m going to turn her life upside down and shatter her into a million pieces. She’ll be unamendable.

My thoughts were interrupted when the office line rang. No one calls me on that line but my PA.

“What now?” I barked.

“Your wife is here, sir,” she replied.

I clenched my fist. Speak of the devil. Is she seriously trying to push my buttons? The more I tell her to stay out of my business, the more she gets involved.

“Send her in,” I ordered.

Less than a minute later, the door opened and she walked in. My eyes widened. She was wearing a short, strapless pink dress that showed off her legs. It clung to her body, accentuating her curves. I couldn’t help but notice how sexy she looked—but I quickly shook the thought away.

I stood up and walked toward her.

“What are you doing here? And what the hell are you wearing?”

“I... I came to bring your breakfast.”

“What are you wearing?”

“It’s called a dress.”

“Don’t mess with me, woman.”

“You can’t tell me what to wear, Prince.”

“You’re my wife. I can tell you what to wear. I’m the head of this house. Practically your boss! Do you know how many men will be looking at you? It’s not appropriate. No wife of mine is going to look like a stripper!”

“What do you care if men look at me? We’re not even sleeping in the same bed.”

“Listen to me, and listen carefully. I—”

“Just shut up,” she said, shoving the container into my hands. “I won’t let you treat me like a fool. I’ve had enough of that growing up.” She muttered under her breath, “You think you’re better than me because you’re rich?”

“I am better than you. In every way.”

“Oh, shut up, Slug Face.”

“What did you just call me?”

“I wasn’t born twice to repeat myself,” she said.

I stepped closer and grabbed her chin.

“This isn’t a game you want to play, wife. So I suggest you be respectful and keep your mouth shut. Just remember—you’re living in my house and off my money.”

“Whatever,” she said as she turned around and walked out.

A few minutes later, I left my office. On the way to the elevator, I overheard three men in the corner talking.

“She’s really hot,” one said.

“Yeah, and those legs. Boss is lucky to have her,” another added. “The things I’d do to her if she were mine…”

“What are you talking about?” I interrupted. They froze with frightened expressions.

“N-nothing, boss. Just work-related stuff.”

“My wife is ‘work-related stuff’?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. They shook their heads quickly.

“Keep her name out of your mouths,” I warned before walking off. The last thing I need is my employees fantasizing about her.

Jane

I put on my sunglasses as I stepped off the bus. I was meeting Drake, my brother, for lunch. My legs were trembling as I walked into the restaurant. I spotted him, walked over, and pulled out a chair.

“Bro.”

“I’ve sent you so many messages these past few weeks—but you ignored them.”

“I’m sorry. Things have been… awful.”

“You should never have agreed to marry him, Sis.”

“I know, I know. But you understand the situation. I had to.”

“I’ll try to get you out of that contract. I promise.”

“Ugh. I feel like I’m losing my mind living with him. By the way, how’s Mom?”

“Losing her mind because you haven’t sent her money since you got married.”

“That’s all she ever cares about.”

“Well, I’m moving out tonight. I’m done with her. And you should be too.”

I shrugged and looked away.

“Maybe she can change.”

“I doubt that,” he replied.

Just as I was about to respond, Drake spoke again. “Don’t look now, but Prince is walking over here.”

By the time I turned my head, he was already behind me. He leaned over, kissed my cheek, and pulled out a chair.

“Well, it’s a family reunion, I see. Planning ways to steal my money, yeah?”

“Leave us alone, Prince.”

“Yeah, maybe next time, wife.”

“Talk to my sister like that again, and I promise you—I’ll make your face unrecognizable,” Drake threatened.

Prince chuckled and leaned in.

“Oh, how I’d love that. You know, I was hoping your slut sister would violate the contract so I could end this marriage immediately. But no… Because I’m going to break her—and send her back to you in pieces. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my wife home. I had to come here myself because she decided to take the bus. This world you live in—it’s different from what she’s used to.”

He extended his hand toward me.

“Come, wife. Smile for the camera.”