CHAPTER 7: An Unexpected Visitor

Morning came slowly, sunlight stretching across the marble floors of the mansion. Amara woke earlier than usual, but sleep hadn’t come easily the night before.

Her mind kept replaying the moment with Alexander.

The way he had stood so close.

The way his voice had softened.

And the way neither of them had stepped back.

She groaned softly and buried her face in the pillow.

“This is bad,” she muttered to herself.

Getting emotionally involved with Alexander Cole was the last thing she should be doing. Their marriage was supposed to be simple—temporary, controlled, and purely for appearances.

But nothing about it felt simple anymore.

Later that morning, Amara walked downstairs to the dining room.

Alexander was already there.

Of course he was.

He sat at the long dining table, reading something on his tablet while sipping coffee. He looked calm and composed, as if last night hadn’t happened at all.

Amara felt her stomach twist.

“Good morning,” he said without looking up.

“Morning,” she replied, trying to sound normal.

She sat across from him, grabbing a piece of toast.

For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.

The silence was unbearable.

Finally, Alexander set his tablet down and looked at her.

“You look tired.”

Amara scoffed. “Whose fault is that?”

One corner of his mouth lifted.

“I don’t recall doing anything.”

“Oh really?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re the one who started the dangerous conversation.”

She felt her cheeks warm.

“I didn’t start it.”

“You definitely helped continue it.”

For a moment, they just looked at each other.

Then suddenly—

The front door opened.

A sharp, confident pair of heels echoed across the floor.

Amara frowned.

“Are we expecting someone?”

Alexander’s expression changed instantly.

Cold.

Serious.

“No.”

A woman appeared in the doorway of the dining room.

She was tall, elegant, and stunningly beautiful. Her long dark hair flowed over her shoulders, and she carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where she belonged.

Her eyes landed on Alexander immediately.

“Alexander.”

Her voice was smooth and familiar.

Amara felt a strange knot tighten in her chest.

Alexander stood slowly.

“What are you doing here, Victoria?”

The woman smiled faintly.

“Is that how you greet me now?”

Amara blinked.

Victoria?

The name sounded important.

Victoria walked further into the room, her gaze finally shifting toward Amara. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“And who,” she asked calmly, “is this?”

Amara suddenly felt very aware of her presence.

Alexander answered before she could.

“This is Amara.”

He paused briefly.

“My wife.”

The word echoed through the room.

Victoria’s smile disappeared instantly.

“Your what?”

Alexander didn’t flinch.

“My wife.”

The tension in the room thickened.

Victoria laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.

“That’s funny,” she said.

“Because the last time I checked, you were planning to marry me.”

Amara nearly choked on her drink.

Her eyes darted toward Alexander.

“You were WHAT?”

Alexander ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated.

“Victoria,” he said firmly, “that arrangement ended months ago.”

“No,” she replied coldly.

“You ended it.”

She stepped closer to him.

“You don’t get to replace me with a random girl and expect me to stay quiet.”

Amara stood slowly from her chair.

“Excuse me,” she said sharply, “I’m not a random girl.”

Victoria looked her up and down.

Her expression turned dismissive.

“You married her?” she asked Alexander. “Really?”

Alexander’s voice hardened.

“Watch your tone.”

Victoria’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Oh, I will,” she said.

She turned back to Amara.

“Tell me something, sweetheart.”

Amara folded her arms.

“What?”

“Do you even know who your husband really is?”

Amara felt a chill crawl up her spine.

“What do you mean?”

Victoria smirked.

“Oh… so he hasn’t told you yet.”

Alexander stepped forward immediately.

“That’s enough.”

But Victoria ignored him.

“You married a man with enemies everywhere,” she said to Amara.

“People who would destroy anything he cares about.”

She leaned slightly closer.

“And now that includes you.”

The room fell silent.

Amara’s heart began to pound.

For the first time since arriving at the mansion, she realized something terrifying.

Being Alexander’s wife wasn’t just complicated.

It might actually be dangerous.