Chapter 5

The Cold Welcome

Serena’s POV

​The big iron gates of the Crowe estate opened with a loud hum, and the car drove through.

​Ethan didn’t come to get me himself. He sent a driver and guards in dark suits. I had to pack my whole life into just one suitcase and two bags by myself. I thought leaving my family home would make me sad, but as I looked out the back window, I didn't feel anything. I knew I wouldn't miss them.

​The only thing I felt nervous about was the man waiting for me inside.

​The house was beautiful, like something from a movie, but the air felt cold. I felt small standing next to a building that was built to look scary.

​Inside, the lights were bright and the floors were shiny. The staff stood in a long, quiet line. They all bowed at once, which felt strange and boring.

​"That's her…" a maid whispered. "Mr. Ethan's wife?"

"Not for love," another whispered back. "It's just a business deal."

​So, even the staff knew the truth.

​A young maid walked up with a small smile. "This way, Madam."

​The word "Madam" felt heavy and weird. She led me through long hallways to a huge bedroom. She pointed inside and said, "This is Mr. Crowe's room."

​"His?" I asked.

​"Mr. Crowe didn't say which room you would stay in. Since you are his wife, we thought..."

​"It’s fine," I said quietly. My heart started to beat fast. I watched as the staff moved quickly, hanging up my dresses and lining up my shoes. The closet smelled like expensive soap and power.

​The room was full of dark wood and gray colors. It looked like a room for a mean, bossy man. I was so tired that I sat on the edge of the big bed to rest, and my eyes closed.

​The door flew open.

​"Why is she here?"

​I jumped up.

​Ethan Crowe stood in the doorway. His gray eyes were hard and angry. The maids looked scared.

​"Sir," one said, "you didn't say which room she should have."

​"And you decided for me?" Ethan snapped. "Pack her bags and get out. You’re all fired."

​"No." The word came out before I could stop it.

​Ethan looked at me. "What did you say?"

​"You can't fire them. They did nothing wrong," I said. I tried to keep my legs from shaking. "They told me what happened. I chose this room. If you’re mad, be mad at me."

​Ethan stayed quiet. He stared at me like he was surprised I was talking back.

​"Leave," he said to the staff, without looking away from me. "All of you."

​The maids ran out and closed the door. Ethan walked closer, and the room felt even colder.

​"Don't get the wrong idea about this marriage," he said in a mean voice. "It's just a deal. Nothing more. Don't expect me to be nice, and don't expect to share my bed."

​"I won't," I whispered.

​My chest felt tight. I had just moved from one home I hated to a house that felt like a war.

​"I heard you," I said, trying to act brave. "It won't happen again."

​I ran out of the room, leaving him alone in his big, cold house.

​Ethan’s POV

I was cooped up in the study all damn day. Buried under this new project and trying to wrap up the final signing on the company's new contracts.

THUD! THUD!

I nonchalantly asked who it was.

“Came to let you know… our new madam’s here, sir,” the maid mumbled through the door.

"Fine," I replied, staying exactly where I was. I had no intention of rushing down to see her like some desperate, lovesick fool.

By the time I finally headed to my wing, I was tired as hell and all I wanted was a shower and some good sleep. Then I saw it. A thin line of light under my bedroom door. “What took them so long to get the room tidy?” I grumbled, figuring the maids were still in there tidying up.

I shoved the door open and nearly lost it. There she was, lying on the bed, shoes on the rug, and hair all messed up on my pillows.

Felt like she’d broken into my space and taken over. Her perfume was already filling up every corner of the room.

“Why the hell is she in my room?” I snarled.

The two maids by the wardrobe practically jumped out of their skins. “Sir,” one stuttered, “you never told us where to put her. We just thought…”

I turned on her with a look that could cut steel. “You thought you could make decisions for me? Pack her stuff and get out. All of you are fired.”

“No…..”

“They didn’t do anything wrong,” she said in a hard voice, stepping up to me. “I picked this room because I was worn out. If you wanna be harsh, take it out on me. Don’t mess up their lives because of what I did.”

“Get out. Now,” I told the staff.

They scrambled out fast, shutting the door behind them and leaving us alone. I moved right into her space until she had to tilt her head way back just to look me in the eye.

“This marriage is just a contract. Nothing else. Don’t ask for any kindness, and don’t you ever think there’ll be anything intimate between us. This room’s off-limits to you.”

“Believe me,” she whispered, her eyes as hard as stone. “The last place I wanna be is anywhere near you.”

She walked off without another word, leaving me there with my blood boiling. But as the quiet settled in again, a cold little twinge of guilt hit me. Shouting like that was way too much, I should’ve just told the maids to put her in the guest room.

I squashed that feeling before it could take hold. She shouldn’t be waiting around for me to be nice to her. She’s the one who signed those papers. She’s the one who ought to feel guilty for agreeing to this contract in the first place.