Five

LENA

The unfamiliar ceiling was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.

For one moment, I forgot everything and thought I was waking up beside Zain.

Although, the illusion shattered almost immediately as it dawn on me that in this enormous house, a stranger had become my husband.

I squeezed my eyes shut again and let out a long breath before forcing myself out of bed.

The room was quiet and the curtains had already been drawn open, allowing the morning sunlight to pour through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The rain from yesterday had disappeared, leaving behind a bright blue sky that mocked the heaviness inside my chest.

As I walked towards the bathroom, I froze.

Everything seems new, ranging from toothbrush, fresh towels and skin-care products still sealed.

Even a neatly folded outfit rested on the marble counter. Someone had prepared everything.

I didn't know why that tiny act made my throat tighten.

Aaron hadn't said much yesterday, but somehow he'd thought of everything.

After taking a warm shower, I wore the cream blouse and black trousers that had been left for me.

The fit perfectly and I scoffed.

"How did he know my size?" I murmured.

The thought sent an uncomfortable shiver through me but I quickly pushed it away.

Maybe his assistant guessed or it was a coincidence.

Opening the bedroom door, I stepped into the quiet hallway.

The mansion looked even larger during the day with painting decorating the walls, crystal chandeliers reflected the morning light.

Everything screamed wealth and yet strangely, the house didn't feel alive.

There was no laughter or conversations as though only one person truly lived here.

My stomach growled, right, I hadn't eaten properly since Raina's funeral.

Following the scent of food downstairs, I entered an elegant dining room.

An elderly woman arranging flowers looked up and smiled kindly.

"Good morning, Mrs. Krane."

I ducked my head wondering where she came from because last night it was just us.

And that name. "I..."

The correction almost left my lips but I gulped it.

"I... good morning." I responded.

"Mr. Krane left early this morning."

Great and for some reason, hearing that made the mansion feel even emptier.

The woman gestured toward the dining table.

"He asked me to make sure you had breakfast."

My gaze followed her hand and I was staring at a bowl of warm oatmeal, fresh fruits, Toast, Coffee, Orange juice like it was some feast.

Beside the plate rested a folded black note and curiosity got thr better of me.

I took it and unfolded just to find a writing that reads.

"Good morning, eat first and today will be exhausting, acar will be waiting at eight —Aaron"

And that ended it. No unnecessary words or fake affection, just instructions.

I couldn't help rolling my eyes.

"Bossy already." A tiny smile threatened to appear.

"I signed a contract, not a prison sentence." I mused forgetting someone was there until the elderly woman laughed softly.

"I've worked for Mr. Krane for twelve years."

"Oh?" I exclaimed taking my chair and already calculating how old he might be.

"You're the first person he's ever left a handwritten note for."

I looked back at the paper. Was that supposed to make me feel special?

It somehow didn't but only made him even more confusing.

Without realizing it, i began to eat and finished everything on the table.

Only then did I notice how hungry I'd actually been.

By the time I reached the entrance, a sleek black limousine was already waiting.

The driver immediately stepped out and opened the rear door.

"Good morning, Mrs. Krane."

There was that title again, I hesitated before climbing inside.

The journey began and neither of us spoke.

I leaned against the window, watching the city pass by.

Where was Aaron taking me? The courthouse? To finalize my divorce?

His company? Some press conference?

Knowing him...I mean anything was possible.

Almost forty minutes later, the car slowed and stopped.

The driver stepped out before opening my door.

"We're here."

I pulled a frown as I climbed out not looking yet.

"This..."

My voice faded as my jaw dropped when my head had tilted to have a glimpse of where I was.

Towering before me stood one of the largest hockey arenas in the country.

Wildcat Hockey Club. The enormous silver logo glittered beneath the morning sun.

I stepped inside, subconsciously, breathing hard like I was in a trance.

Players hurried in and out of the building, some coaches barked orders and reporters gathered outside the entrance.

The sound of pucks striking the boards echoed through the arena and my body flurried.

The smell of fresh ice and sound of skates cutting across the rink.

The excitement before practice was all felt. It had been months since I'd stepped inside a hockey arena.

The memories crashed inside me at once with Zain practicing until midnight.

Me patching torn gloves, writing sponsorship proposals while he slept, skipping meals so we could afford better equipment.

I'd sole my jewelry to find his first tournament and had given everything.

I lowered my eyes, maybe coming here had been a mistake.

"I think you've brought me to the wrong place," I whispered, reeled with different kinds of emotions.

The driver smiled politely. "No, Mrs. Krane." He cleared is throat.

"Mr. Krane is waiting for you."

I followed his gaze upward and a glass-walled VIP suite overlooked the entire rink.

Standing behind the transparent panels was Aaron, he wore a black suit with a white shirt briefly shown.

His one hand tucked into his pocket, his other rested lazily against the railing.

Even from that distance, I could feel his eyes on me. In a few seconds later, he disappeared from the suite.

Then footsteps stomped behind me. I spinned and saw aaron descended the staircase with calm, measured strides.

Nothing about him seemed rushed or forced.

He stopped in front of me, his gaze briefly swept over the outfit I'd worn before meeting mine.

"You ate."

"I was hungry."

He nodded and that was apparently enough conversation for him.

Without another word, he handed me a black leather folder.

I became anxious. "What is this?"

"Open it."

Suspicion filled me as I undid the clasp and inside were dozens of legal documents.

More like purchase agreements and transfer certificates, corporate records and my brows knitted together.

"What exactly am I looking at?"

"Page seven." He pointed out and I quickly reached for that page.

My breath hitched as at the top of the document, written in bold letters, were the words:

"Certificate of Ownership" and below it was Wildcat Hockey Club.

The registered owner was "Lena Blackwood Krane"

Everything around me went wintry as I read the name again and again.

Surely, I was hallucinating and my fingers trembled as I looked up.

"What..." My voice barely audible.

Aaron's expression remained unreadable.

"Your wedding gift."

I let out a little laughter, unbelievable because this was impossible.

"I don't know how to own a hockey club."

"I know." He snapped, his eyes, they wouldn't even flutter far from me, they like a constant contact on me.

"Then why would you buy one?"

"Because the people running it know even less."

I bite my lower lip subconsciously "But..."

"My ex plays here."

"I know."

"He'll think I followed him."

"Obviously"

My heartbeat became uneven as my gaze on him hinted him to better explain himself.

Aaron closed the folder and gently pushed it back into my hands as he took one slow step towards me.

"So that from today onward..." He held my gaze without blinking.

"...he'll be the one following your orders."

Everything in me went spiral as for the first time since yesterday, I had absolutely no idea what my life was becoming.