Chapter Seven

Don Great’s POV

The mansion finally became quiet after midnight. The guests were gone, the music had stopped, and even the air felt different now. Empty. Still. But never peaceful.

I stood near the large window inside my office with a glass of whiskey in my hand while rain poured heavily outside. The storm had not stopped since the attack earlier. My men were still searching for the idiots who dared attack my mansion on my wedding night.

“They escaped before we reached the highway,” Marco reported from behind me.

I stayed silent while taking another sip from my drink.

“Do you think Viktor had something to do with it?” he asked carefully.

That name alone almost made me smile.

Almost.

“Viktor enjoys causing trouble,” I said calmly. “But he’s not stupid enough to attack my mansion directly.”

Marco nodded slowly before the room fell silent again.

Then my thoughts returned to her.

Bella.

The girl who pointed a knife at me only hours ago. The same girl who stood beside me at the altar without breaking down. The same girl who looked at me with fear in her eyes while still refusing to lower her head.

Interesting girl, Very interesting.

Most people feared me immediately. Bella feared me too, but she fought it. That was rare.

Dangerous. “Where is she?” I finally asked.

Marco understood immediately. “In her room.”

“She cried?” I asked because that's what I expected her to do

“No.” he answered.

That answer surprised me slightly.

Most women would have broken down by now, especially after tonight. But Bella had not cried once. Not after hearing gunshots. Not after seeing blood.

Strong little thing, or simply stubborn.

A knock interrupted the silence before one of the guards entered quickly. “Boss.”

“What?” I asked

The maid walked in and bow her head “The madam refused to let the maids help her.”

My eyebrow lifted slightly. “And?”

“She locked the door.”

A small laugh almost escaped me.

Marco looked confused beside me, but I understood exactly what Bella was doing. She was trying to regain control. Trying to remind herself that this marriage had not trapped her completely.

“Leave us,” I ordered calmly.

The moment they left, I loosened my tie and walked toward the hallway. The mansion remained quiet around me while thunder crashed loudly outside. Most servants quickly lowered their heads as I passed.

When I reached Bella’s room, I stopped outside the door. Silence filled the hallway before I heard movement inside.

I knocked once, Immediately, her voice came through the door.

“Go away.” she said

My mouth twitched slightly. “You locked my door,” I said calmly.

“You mean my door.” she said from inside.

“No,” I corrected softly. “Mine.”

Silence followed, I could almost imagine the angry expression on her face then finally, she spoke again. “I need space.”

The honesty surprised me slightly. Most people lied to me. Bella didn’t. Maybe she was too emotional to hide her feelings properly. Or maybe she simply refused to fear me enough.

Either way, I liked it more than I should have.

“You married me willingly,” I reminded her calmly.

“And you threatened my family willingly.”

Fair answer, dangerous smile slowly appeared on my face, the girl had courage.

“I’m tired,” she said again, softer this time.

For a moment, I stayed quiet before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small gold key. One twist and the door unlocked immediately from outside.

I pushed the door open slowly.

Bella instantly stood from the bed, anger flashing across her face.

“You—” Her words stopped immediately when our eyes met.

The room became quiet.

She had already changed out of the wedding dress into a simple silk robe. Her hair rested loosely over her shoulders, and without the makeup and jewelry, she looked younger. Softer.

But her eyes remained sharp and defiant.

I closed the door behind me calmly. “You shouldn’t enter a woman’s room without permission,” she snapped immediately.

“And you shouldn’t lock me out of my own room.”

Her expression changed instantly. “What?”

I slowly loosened my cuffs while watching her carefully. “You’re my wife now, Bella. Did you really think we would sleep separately?”

The realization hit her face immediately, I could see her panic even though she tried to hide it

She slowly stepped backward. “You said this marriage was an agreement.” she shouted.

“It is.” I said as I moved closed to her.

“Then why are you here?” she asked boldly.

I stared at her quietly for a moment before answering.

“Because men tried to kill us tonight, and if you got killed it a wasn't of time and money, I mean I will be the one to lose." I said

She rolled her eyes, I could felt her breathing slowed slightly

“At least six armed men reached the gates,” I continued calmly. “Which means someone inside this mansion helped them.”

The color slowly disappeared from her face maybe she understood immediately. “You think someone here is a traitor?”

“I know there is who knows if you're the one who sent them.” I said

She stood up at me like she was about to fight." You should be scared because you hurt a lot of people and they're coming for you."

I smiled but didn't last long. "Do you know who's right Infront of you." I asked.

She stayed still this time, watching me carefully.

I stopped directly in front of her, close enough to hear her breathing and see the fear she was trying hard to hide.

“If someone wants to hurt me,” I said quietly, “the easiest way is through you now.”

The room became silent, Bella swallowed hard before finally speaking“You really live like this every day?”

Something about the question caught me off guard not pity just curiosity

I looked at her for a long moment before answering quietly.

“Yes.”

Then she sighed tiredly and sat down slowly on the edge of the bed.

“You’re insane,” she muttered quietly.