My house has rules

Leah’s POV

My head was killing me.

I groaned, turning on the bed before slowly opening my eyes.

For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. Then I noticed the enormous room around me, the unfamiliar curtains, and the expensive furniture.

Oh, right. I was married.

I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned again. Last night, after dinner, I’d discovered where they kept the wine. I’d taken a bottle upstairs, intending to have just one glass.

Apparently, I’d finished the entire thing, and I was still wearing the dress I’d had on the previous evening.

“Fuck.”

I dragged myself out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I stepped out in my towel and stopped.

Several maids were in the room, making my bed. A few more stood beside a clothing rack, displaying dresses, shoes, and handbags.

Mrs. Powell walked in moments later.

“Good morning, Madam. I hope you had a wonderful night. Apologies, we weren’t quick enough to wake you.”

I blinked at her.

“Wake me? I don’t need anyone to wake me.”

“Of course, Madam. These are some outfits we’ve selected for you. You may choose whichever you prefer.”

I glanced at the clothes.

“I can choose my own clothes. You don’t have to stand around watching me.”

Mrs. Powell seemed to understand immediately.

“Certainly, Madam. Everyone, please give her some privacy.”

The maids bowed and left.

“Take your time,” she said. “Breakfast is already prepared downstairs.”

I nodded.

Everything was still so strange. Having people waiting on me, calling me Madam, and treating me like I was some important woman.

I got dressed and went downstairs.

Breakfast was served on the enormous dining table, with two maids standing nearby. I ate quietly, still trying to get used to my surroundings.

Afterward, Mrs. Powell offered to show me around the estate. And honestly, I couldn’t complain about the place.

It was even more beautiful in daylight. The gardens were perfectly maintained, the grounds stretched endlessly, and there were places I hadn’t even noticed during my arrival.

By the time we returned to the mansion, I was genuinely impressed.

That evening, I exchanged a few messages with Erica.

Erica: So, how’s the luxurious married life treating you?

Me: Terrible. My husband is missing.

Erica: At least you’re missing him in a mansion.

I laughed, shaking my head.

We chatted for a little while before I finally went to bed.

The next morning, I woke up with the strange feeling that someone was watching me.

I yawned and slowly sat up, then I froze.

There was a man sitting in the armchair opposite my bed.

A tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, with a black coat over it. His legs were crossed, and his face was covered by the familiar black mask I’d seen in every picture online.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. “Jesus!”

I blinked, wondering if I was still dreaming.

But he was still there watching me. And then it hit me.

He was my husband. Damien Vale, The man I’d signed my entire life away to.

He slowly rose from the chair, slipping both hands into his pockets. Even without seeing his face, there was something intimidating about him. His height, his stillness, the coldness in his eyes.

I suddenly became conscious of my sleeveless sleeping gown and messy hair. I pulled the blanket closer to my chest.

“Hi,” I stammered, stretching out a hand. “I’m Leah. Leah Bennett.”

He glanced at my hand, for a moment, I thought he would take it.

He didn’t. “Get dressed.”

I stared at him. “Sorry?”

“We’re having breakfast in ten minutes.”

That was all he said before turning toward the door, he was almost out when he stopped and looked back.

“Ten minutes.”

I nodded immediately, and then he left.

I remained frozen, my mouth slightly open, until the sound of his footsteps disappeared.

What the hell was that?

I released a shaky breath and dropped back onto the bed.

I’d just met my husband, and my first impression was absolutely fucking terrible.

How was I supposed to spend the rest of my life with a man like that?

He was cold, intimidating, and apparently allergic to conversations.

Although… I shook my head; he was gorgeous. No. Stop it, Leah.

I wasn’t going to let a fine body structure distract me from the fact that I was practically terrified of him.

Ten minutes.

I scrambled into the bathroom, got ready, and settled for a pair of black trousers and a simple shirt.

When I arrived downstairs, I stopped at the dining room entrance.

A maid was kneeling before him, crying.

“Please, Master. I promise I didn’t know. It’s my first day. I didn’t know you didn’t like blueberries. I thought—”

“You thought?” His voice was frighteningly calm. “My decision is final. You’re fired.”

“Please! This is my only source of income. I need this job!”

He didn’t respond. Two guards walked in and moved toward the maid.

She began crying harder as they helped her to her feet.

I didn’t even realize I’d stepped forward until the other maids bowed their heads.

“Madam.”

I looked at the man seated at the table.

“Did you just fire her because she mistakenly added blueberries to your fruit salad?”

He didn’t look at me.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Of course I do. You heard her. It’s her first day, and she made a mistake. This is how you treat people?”

The room went silent, then he slowly turned his head toward me.

I couldn’t see his expression beneath the mask, but his eyes were enough to tell me he wasn’t pleased.

The maids looked terrified. Even the guards seemed uncomfortable.

He clicked his fingers, and the guards immediately stopped.

“Next time, do not interfere with my decisions,” he said, his voice low and firm. “This is my house. I am your husband, and my house has rules.”

He stood, buttoned his jacket, and walked toward the dining table. Just like that, the matter was settled.

The maid was escorted away, and nobody dared say another word. I stood there, stunned.

Mrs. Powell gave me a small, sympathetic smile.

I shook my head and walked toward the table. So much for having a normal husband.

I sat down, remembering how I’d eaten alone the previous evening.

Breakfast was served, and I ate in silence; he barely acknowledged my presence.

Afterward, he left, and I didn’t see him for the rest of the day.

I decided to make the best of my time. I’d brought my artwork with me, and thankfully, nobody had suggested getting rid of it.

I spent hours arranging my supplies and working on a few designs for my January exhibition.

For a while, I almost forgot where I was.

Then, sometime in the evening, I heard the sound of car horns outside.

He was back. A few minutes later, Mrs. Powell appeared at my door.

work.

“Madam, dinner is ready. Master Vale is waiting downstairs.”

I looked up from my work.

“I don’t want to eat downstairs with him. I’d rather have my dinner here.”

Mrs. Powell gave me a worried look.

“Please, Madam. It’s not a request you should refuse. Master Vale isn’t going to take no for an answer.”

Before I could respond, she turned and walked out.

I sighed. Wonderful.

A few minutes later, I reluctantly made my way downstairs.

But when I entered the dining room, I stopped.

Damien wasn’t alone.

A man and a woman were seated with him. Before I could even say anything, the woman jumped to her feet and hurried toward me.

“Oh my God! You look even more beautiful in person!”

She wrapped her arms around me before I could react.

“Hi! I’m Layla, and that’s my husband, Cole. He’s Damien’s cousin. We’re basically his best friends.”

A low groan came from the other end of the table.

“You’re not my best friends. I just know you two.”

Cole chuckled. “Yeah, well, same thing.”

I couldn’t help smiling.

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

Layla took my hand and led me toward an empty chair.

The entire dinner, she barely stopped talking. She was cheerful, friendly, and seemed genuinely excited to meet me. Cole joined in occasionally, teasing her while Damien remained mostly silent.

I hardly heard half of what they said.

My attention kept drifting to the masked man seated across from me.

He was watching me too, but neither of us said a word.

Eventually, Cole received an urgent phone call, and they both had to leave.

“It was lovely meeting you, Leah!” Layla said, hugging me again. “We’ll definitely come visit you soon.”

I smiled. “I’d like that.”

And I meant it. Layla seemed lovely, and it was nice knowing Damien had people who cared enough to visit him.

Once they left, the dining room became unusually quiet.

I looked across the table at my husband.

He was calmly sipping his drink, seemingly unconcerned by the silence.

I took a breath. “Damien?”

His eyes lifted to mine.

“I think we need to talk.”

He said nothing.

“We’ve been married for more than twenty-four hours, and I barely know anything about you. You haven’t even had a proper conversation with me.”

I paused, gathering my courage.

“Why did you marry me? Why am I here? And what exactly do you expect from this marriage?”

For the first time, I had his complete attention.

And I wasn’t sure I was ready for whatever he was about to say.