Welcome to the Vale mansion

Leah’s POV

“Leah, do you understand what this means?” Erica whispered, leaning closer across the café table. “You’re marrying the masked billionaire. The man everyone talks about!”

“Lower your voice!” I hissed, glancing around. “And stop calling him that. This whole thing is confusing enough. I still can’t believe my family could do this to me.”

Erica stared at me. “Girl, are you hearing yourself? You just hit the jackpot! A fucking billionaire!”

“I don’t want a jackpot!” I snapped. “I want my own little house, my art studio, and a peaceful life. Is that too much to ask? I don’t want to be shipped off to some stranger like a piece of merchandise.”

Before Erica could respond, a loud horn sounded outside our favorite cafe.

I'd called her out so early to share my problems but it seems they found me.

She turned toward the window, then her eyes widened.

“Wait. Is that car—”

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “They’re here.”

My stomach dropped.

My uncle stepped out of the car with an elderly man I had never seen before. A few seconds later, both men walked into the café.

My uncle barely glanced at me.

“Time’s up, Leah. You need to leave.”

I stared at him. “Leave where?”

“The Vale mansion. Your belongings have already been packed.”

“What?”

“Everything has been taken care of. We came to pick you up.”

I shot to my feet. “You packed my things without telling me? What about my paintings? My art supplies? Everything in my room?”

“Leah, everything has been sent to your husband’s house. Stop making a scene.”

My husband’s house.

I couldn’t believe this man was standing before me, speaking as though he had simply arranged for my groceries to be delivered.

The elderly man beside him cleared his throat.

“You signed the marriage contract last night, Miss Bennett. You are now legally married to Master Vale. Naturally, you will be residing at his mansion.”

Erica’s mouth fell open.

“No fucking way. This is actually happening!”

I glared at her. She immediately shut her mouth and looked away.

I turned back to my uncle, my eyes burning.

“I can’t believe you sold me just to save your company.”

His expression hardened. “I did what was necessary for this family.”

I couldn’t bear to hear another word, I walked out.

The elderly man followed me to the car, and I stopped beside the open door.

Once I stepped inside, everything would change.

I had less than ten thousand dollars in my account. Money I’d saved little by little, hoping to open my own art studio someday.

Now, I was married to one of the richest men in the country.

A man whose face I had never seen, a man powerful enough to find me if I ever decided to run.

I climbed into the car.

The elderly man didn’t speak during the journey, and I was grateful for it. I pulled out my phone and stared at the pictures I’d found online.

The masked billionaire.

His mask covered most of his face, leaving only a small portion visible. No proper photographs. No interviews where he showed his face. Just rumors about his wealth, his ruthlessness, and the mysterious man behind the mask.

I sighed and locked my phone. So much for the Christmas I’d been looking forward to.

I had imagined decorating my little apartment, spending time with Tracy, and preparing for my art exhibition in January.

Instead, I was grieving a life I hadn’t even gotten the chance to live.

“We are here.”

I looked up.

A massive white gate stood before us. It opened automatically, and the car drove through.

My eyes widened as we entered the estate.

The grounds seemed endless. Beautiful landscapes stretched in every direction, horses ran across the distant fields, and a river glimmered beneath the fading evening light.

It was breathtaking. From the gate, it took several minutes to reach the mansion.

And when I finally saw it, my mouth fell open.

It looked like a castle built centuries ago and renovated with every luxury the modern world could offer.

For a moment, my artist’s mind took over. I imagined the paintings I could create inspired by the scenery, the architecture, the river—

“Madam?”

I blinked. The elderly man stood beside the car, waiting for me.

“Please, this way.”

Madam. That was going to take some getting used to.

I followed him inside, where a group of staff members stood waiting to welcome me.

“This is Mrs. Powell,” he introduced an elegant middle-aged woman. “She oversees the household and will assist you with anything you need.”

“Welcome to the Vale mansion, Madam,” Mrs. Powell said warmly.

I managed a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Please, make yourself comfortable. This is your home now.”

My home.

I followed her upstairs to my bedroom, and for the second time that evening, I was stunned.

The room was beautiful, tastefully decorated in soft colors, with a large bed and tall windows overlooking the gardens.

Mrs. Powell showed me around before excusing herself.

“Dinner will be served at seven, Madam. Please join us downstairs. I’ll have the maids assist you if you need anything.”

When she left, I sat on the edge of the bed. I’d married the wealthiest man in the country.

I was living in a mansion that looked like something out of a fairytale.

And I had absolutely no idea what my husband looked like.

A few hours later, I chose a simple, elegant gown and made my way downstairs.

For the first time since signing that contract, I felt a little nervous.

I was finally going to meet him.

Perhaps he would be waiting at the dinner table. Perhaps he’d explain why he had agreed to marry a woman he’d never met.

Perhaps—

I stopped at the dining room entrance, there was only one place setting.

One plate, one glass, and one chair. I stared at the table before turning to Mrs. Powell.

“Is Mr. Vale not coming home tonight?”

She hesitated.

“I’m afraid not, Madam. Master Vale is currently out of the country.”

I stared at her. “He’s not in the country?”

“No, Madam.”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

“So, let me get this straight. He agrees to marry me to save my uncle’s company. My family packs up my entire life and sends me here without warning, and now I’m expected to sit in this enormous mansion and eat dinner alone?”

Mrs. Powell looked at me, surprise flickering across her face.

I swallowed the rest of my frustration.

“I don’t even know what my husband looks like. I’ve never spoken to him, never met him, and now he’s not even here.”

She said nothing. But the pity in her eyes only made me feel worse.

“It’s fine,” I muttered, though nothing about this was fine. “I’m going outside for some fresh air.”

I turned away from the dining room and walked toward the doors leading to the gardens.

I needed air. I needed fucking space.

Most of all, I needed to figure out how I was supposed to live with a man who had already turned my entire world upside down without even showing me his face.