Chapter 4: The Rules of Being His Wife

Lyra POV 

I didn't remember how I got out of the restaurant. The first thing I felt was relief. The evening air was hitting my face like a slap. I tightened my grip on my bag and went to the hospital. That was all that mattered. 

The moment I stepped into the hospital, only one thing mattered to me. My mother. I rushed down the hallway, my steps quick, my heart pounding so loudly it felt like it would burst out of my chest. The smell of antiseptic hit me again, but this time it didn't suffocate me. This time, it gave me hope.

"Lyra!"

Martin's voice echoed down the corridor. 

I turned just in time to see him running toward me. His face was pale, his eyes red, like he hadn't stopped crying since I left.

"Martin," I breathed out.

He wrapped his arms around me tightly, almost desperately.

"Where were you?" he asked, grabbing my arms. "The doctors said they've started the treatment, but they kept asking about the payment and..."

"They've been paid," I cut in quickly.

He froze. "What? "For a second he stared at me.

"Thank God," he whispered. "I thought we were going to lose her."

My chest tightened as I hugged him back. I closed my eyes, holding him just as tightly.

"She is going to be okay," I murmured, though I wasn't sure if I was saying it for him or for myself.

"She has to be," he said, pulling back slightly. "You always fix everything; you always do."

"How did you get the money?" he asked, feeling concerned.

The question hit me harder than it should have.

If only he knew. If only he knew what I had done to "fix" this.

I forced a smile. "I found a way," I said quietly.

Deep down in me, it wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth either.

He smiled, relief washing over his face. "I knew you would."

I felt guilty instantly. I forced a small smile, brushing his hair back gently. "Go sit with her. I'll talk to the doctor."

He nodded and rushed off. And just like that I was alone again. Without wasting more time, I went to meet the doctor, and he informed me that the treatment had begun. They were stabilizing her condition.

"She still has a long way to go," he said carefully. "But for now, she's responding."

Deep down, I knew it was enough, so I nodded slowly.

"Thank you," I told him.

As I walked toward the ward where my mother was placed. I stayed there for a while watching her fragile body hooked up to machines, her breathing uneven but still there. After checking on my mother, I stepped out into the hallway.

She was still alive, and that was because of him. My thoughts got diverted just as my phone buzzed.

Slowly, I pulled it out and stared at the screen.

I thought it was a missed call, but to my surprise, a message was sent to me. I click it open.

"YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ACCEPTED HIS OFFER. NOW YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING YOU CAN'T EXCAPE."

A chill ran down my spine. I was shocked by what I read.

"Who sent this?" I asked myself. Without thinking further, I quickly tapped the number and pressed the call. It rang once, then the call failed. I tried again, same result.

"This isn't just a marriage," I whispered to myself. "This was something else. Something dangerous."

"Mrs. Kane." 

I heard my name being called. The voice startled me. I turned sharply.

A man in a black suit stood a few steps away. His composure was unbeatable, his expression neutral.

"Yes!" I said cautiously.

"Mr. Kane sent me to pick you up," he said. "Your car is waiting." 

A sharp breath escaped me. 

Mrs. Kane. I repeated beneath me.

"Time is money." He continued.

I hesitated, glancing back toward my mother's room.

"It'll be quick," he said, answering the question I hadn't asked, as if reading my mind. "Mr. Kane insists."

"Give me a minute," I told him.

I turned to meet Martin in Mom's room. 

"Martin, I need to step out for a bit."

He frowned. "Why?"

"I'll be back," I assured him quickly. "Stay with Mom, okay?"

"But where are you heading to? It hasn't been long since you arrived at the hospital," he said.

"You trust me, right?" I asked him.

"Yes, I do. Even more than myself. But..." "I cut him off. "So just wait in here for me, okay. " I told him.

He studied me for a moment, like he wanted to ask more questions. But in the end, he nodded.

"Fine, but promise me you won't vanish again." 

"I promise," I told him.

I stepped out as I followed the man who had come to pick me. The car waiting outside wasn't just any random car. It was a statement. I was speechless. A Tesla Model 3, sleek, black, and expensive. The kind of car that didn't just drive. It commanded attention. 

The driver opened the door for me without a word. I hesitated on the edge of the doorway, then stepped in. 

The ride was silent, so silent that I could hear myself breathing.

My thoughts kept replaying everything that had happened. I wished it were a nightmare, but I had to accept the fact that it was a reality. Who was he, and what had I just gotten myself into?.

Finally, the car stopped, and I guess we've arrived at the destination. As soon as I stepped out, my breath caught. 

The building in front of me wasn't just big. It was massive, cold, glass, and steel, constructed to perfection. So untouchable.

"This is your new residence ma'am," the driver said.

My new residence. The words didn't sit right to me. 

The moment I stepped inside the mansion, everything felt perfect, and controlled. It didn't feel like home. It felt like a place where mistakes weren't allowed.

“Welcome.” His voice echoed from behind me. I turned.

"Alexander, call me by my name." He said while standing there, hands in his pockets, watching me like he had been expecting this exact moment.

"You are late," he added.

I frowned. "I was at the hospital."

"And yet," he said calmly, "you're still late."

My jaw tightened. "I didn't realize I was on a schedule."

"You're now." His words sounded simple, clear, and controlled.

He gestured towards me slightly. "Come."

I didn't move. "I'm not your employee," I said.

His eyes darkened.

"No," he accepted. "You are my wife." He stepped closer. "Which means you represent me." He continued.

He was so close to me. It felt like he would kiss me, but his words hit differently this time. I crossed my arms. "I didn't sign up to be controlled."

"No," he said smoothly. "You signed a contract."

I rolled my eyes as I avoided his gaze.

"There are rules," he stated.

"Let's have them," I said.

"No emotional attachment," he began.

I blinked. "That won't be a problem."

A faint smirk touched his lips.

"Good," he continued. "You do not interfere in my business."

"Fine," I answered back.

"You attend events when required," he said.

"I'm not your showpiece or model queen."

"You are whatever I need you to be in public."

I clenched my hands. "I am still a person."

"Am aware," his tone remained calm, as if none of this affected him.

"And one more thing," he added. I raised a brow.

"You don't leave this mansion without my permission."

My breath caught. "What? I have to work, my family!"

He laughed. "Work! You don't need to work. Just to mention, I can get you anything you need. He continued. "The restaurant where you were once an employee," he snapped his fingers thrice. "Shoot, I will buy it a dozen times.” He added.

"That's insane," I snapped. "I am not a prisoner?"

"No," he said quietly. "You're protected."

"From what?" I demanded.

He didn't answer. He went silent. And that was worse than anything he could have responded with. The way the staff and workers did, they all avoided eye contact. The way the security men stood at every corner.

Everything felt disciplined to the brim. My heart started pounding.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked.

He stepped closer to me again. And this time he was very close. 

"You don't need to know everything," he said.

"I am your wife now, so I deserve answers." I shot back, but he placed his finger on my lips, stopping me from speaking further.

"And you'll get them," he replied calmly.

"When?"

"When it's necessary," he answered back.

I wasn't satisfied with that answer.

And just as I was about to turn away, that was when I saw something drawing my attention. It was a file, placed in the table half-open. I saw my name on it. I walked to it as I became curious.

"LYRA COLE."

My hands were aquiver as I opened it. The file was filled with photos, documents, and information about me. It consists of my past, my family, my job, and my life. I was completely crestfallen.

"You've been watching me," I whispered.

"Yes," he answered coldly.

"What?" I was shocked.

"I require data before I make a move," he stated.

A surge of anger made my blood boil.

"Then I was never random, was I?" I asked, my voice rising.

His gaze narrowed, darkening with intent. "Because you are essential to me."

My phone buzzed. The sound made me flinch. I pulled it out. It was another message from an unknown number. I opened it.

"HE DIDN'T CHOOSE YOU RANDOMLY." 

My blood ran cold. I looked up at Alexander. Then stared back at the message. I swallowed hard. 

"Alexander." His eyes locked onto mine.

"What kind of mess have you embroiled me in?" He didn't reply at once. Instead, he moved closer, his presence suffocating, his looking finger casting a shadow over me. Then he said quietly, "You will learn the truth soon enough." A wave of dread washed over me.