Chapter 4

Margaret took me to a high-end boutique in the heart of London, and the staff literally fell over themselves as I walked in.

"MRS. SEBASTIAN," one of them shouted. "We're delighted to have you with us."

I barely restrained myself from jumping. How did she know I was Adrian's wife? I wasn't used to people behaving as if I was somebody important. It didn't sit right. As if they were seeing me through another person's eyes.

Margaret spoke in a hushed tone to the store manager, and soon I was being escorted to a dressing room. Designer dresses, stilettos, and handbags were shown to me in waves, each more extravagant than the previous one.

I looked at the sea of fabric in front of me and was bewildered.

"This is insane," I muttered.

Margaret arched an eyebrow. "Mr. Sebastian requested that you choose a new wardrobe."

"I'm sure he did," I growled.

She smiled knowingly. "I know this is an adjustment. But you are Mrs. Sebastian now. You may as well enjoy the perks."

I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to win this fight. So I let them dress me, let them slip a pair of designer heels onto my feet, let them give me a dress that probably cost more than I'd made in the past five years combined.

When I finally stood before the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back.

I looked… expensive, extravagant maybe.

Like someone who belonged in Adrian's world and I didn't even know how to react to that because I didn't.

By the time I had returned to the estate, Adrian was still not back from his meetings. I was relieved for the quiet. I needed time to catch my breath, to gather myself together.

But that fantasy was ruined because as I was walking towards my bedroom, a voice stopped me.

"You clean up well."

I turned around, my heart racing against my chest.

A man was standing by the wall, with crossed arms, smirking at me. He was like Adrian, the same pointed jawline, the same piercing blue eyes. But while Adrian radiated ruthless control, this man had something more. Something evil. He has to be Damian, Adrian's half-brother.

I'd heard his name whispered in the headlines and passing conversations. He was the Sebastian family black sheep, the one who'd been cast away. And yet, here he stood.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned.

Damian's smile widened. "Oh, I just had to get an introduction from the woman who managed to trap my darling brother in a marriage."

“I didn't trap him." I retorted.

He chuckled. "Sure, you didn't."

I hated the way he was looking at me. Like he was peeling back my layers, hunting for my weaknesses.

"Did Adrian invite you?" I said, my tone steady.

His smile didn't falter. "Not exactly."

I swallowed hard. There was something about him that put me on edge. Something mystical.

"You need to leave," I stated, trying to sound bolder than I was.

He pushed off the wall, advancing towards me. "You're a brave one," he said. "I can see why Adrian chose you."

His eyes flickered with amusement as he pusshed of the wall, approaching my direction. "Easy. I'm not here to hurt you. I just wanted to see you in person."

"Well, you've seen me," I said coldly. "Now go away."

Damian laughed once more, but this time there had a sinister glint in his eyes.

"Be careful, Valentine," he breathed. "You don't have any idea what you've gotten yourself into."

And with that, he turned and walked out of there, and I was left standing there, my heart pounding. I knew I was not going to be getting rid of Damian Sebastian anytime in the near future and the thought was terrifying.

……….

That night, I found Adrian in his study. He sat behind a massive desk, reading papers, but when I entered, his eyes locked with mine.

"Damian was here," I said, crossing my arms.

His expression hardened immediately. "What did he tell you?"

"Nothing much," I said. "Just that I need to watch out."

Adrian clenched his teeth. "He's not safe, Valentine. Stay away from him."

I gulped. "Why did he visit here?"

"He's been attempting to find ways to discredit me for years," Adrian explained. "And now that you're on board, he sees you as just another way to get at me."

"Why does he hate you so much?"

Adrian's eyes went hard. "Now that's enough, It's none of your concern."

Rage smoldered in my chest. "I am your wife, It's my concern if he keeps popping up!"

His eyes locked into mine and for a moment, I thought he might actually say it but suddenly, his eyes grew cold. Then he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You're in my house, I don't take orders from you. Just leave him alone," he said coldly. "I'll take care of it."

I wanted to argue, to demand more information, but I knew I had no right to and so I nodded and turned away.

But before I reached the door, Adrian spoke again.

"And Valentine?" I glanced back at him.

His expression was blank. "You are doing a good job."

I blinked. "What?"

"The way you behaved around my family, around Damian,”  He leaned back in his chair. "You're learning."

I wasn't sure if that was a warning or a compliment.

"Thank you." I replied trying to figure out how I was feeling inside.

"But next time don't enter my study uninvited."

My smile disappeared.To think that I had thought he would be nice to me. Flattering me one moment and speaking to me disrespectfully the next. Closing the door, I exited, not before hearing his low chuckle as I left.

……….

I woke each morning in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar manor that seemed a prison house, not home. The servants were polite and proper, Adrian frigid and in charge, his family treated me nice when they were around but most times I felt like a bug which had somehow penetrated into their universe.

I was discovering the rules of being a member of his family.

Rule number one: Never be weak.

Adrian's universe breathed and lived power, dominance, individuals who understood the game. Should I show even the slightest hesitation, they would annihilate me.

Rule number two: Trust no one.

Damian's wariness echoed in my head as did the unspoken tension in Adrian's posture whenever his brother was mentioned. There was baggage they were carrying. Dark and unresolved. And I was now somehow a participant in the middle of it.

Rule number three: Always be prepared because the moment I let my guard down, I knew something or someone would strike me.

The test of my knowledge came faster than I expected when four days  after our wedding, Adrian informed me that we were attending a charity event hosted by the Sebastians.