The Ceo's Arranged Bride

Mary returned to the bar, her steps slower and heavier. The brief encounter outside lingered in her chest like an unfinished sentence. She could still feel the weight of his gaze, the calm authority in his voice, the unsettling certainty with which he had looked at her, as though she were something already decided.She shook her head lightly.Enough.Tonight wasn’t about strangers or sharp-eyed men in expensive suits. Tonight was about forgetting.The music wrapped around her as she stepped fully inside, the deep bass vibrating through her bones. Gold and crimson lights blurred together, dancing across the polished floor. The scent of alcohol and expensive perfume clung thickly to the air.She exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the drinks making her unsteady. It was her emotions.She bent down, picking up her handbag and phone from the table, fingers tightening around them as if grounding herself. All I needed was one night to forget, she muttered to herself. Just one.She turned to leave.“He

Mary & Ree“Mary!” Ree’s voice burst through the phone, loud with concern. “What’s wrong?”“Can we meet up?” Mary asked.“Sure. What time?”“Now.”There was a pause on the other end of the line. Not long, but long enough to make Mary’s chest tighten.“Okay…” Ree said carefully. “But is everything alright?”Mary tightened her grip on the phone, her fingers digging into her palm as if holding herself together by force. Her throat felt tight, clogged with words she didn’t know how to arrange.When she spoke, her voice came out thin, almost a whisper.“I… I honestly don’t know.”Her breath hitched.“I just… Ree, I need comfort right now.”The tears came before she could stop them, hot and relentless, blurring her vision.“Mary,” Ree said gently, her voice softening instantly, “tell me where you are. I’ll come to you.”“Let’s meet at Mia’s coffee shop.”“Okay. I’m on my way. Please, just… take care of yourself until I get there.”Mary didn’t answer right away. She only nodded, even though

“Alex!”Selene called out excitedly as she rushed toward him. “Thank God you’re finally here,” she said, tugging at his arm, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.“Can you believe this slut of a maid disrespected me? She even dared to call you by your name,” she complained bitterly, her voice dripping with outrage as she turned to him.A frown creased Alexander’s face as his gaze shifted to Mary, clearly displeased with the choice of words Selene had used to describe her.Mary, on the other hand, bowed her head in silence. Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric of her dress as she stood quietly, unsure of which side Alexander would take.“Alex, can you believe this slut had the audacity to say you two are married?” Selene laughed mockingly. “Of course I didn’t believe her. I put her in her place.”She continued rambling about how Mary had disrespected her.“Even Butler Brooks took her side. Can you imagine that, Alex? I don’t know who brought her here, but she has t

She slowly walked into the mansion, her thoughts occupied with Maya and the unanswered questions she had.Mary looked around the living room. No one was in sight, and the lights were dim.Her shoulders slumped in disappointment, because some part of her had hoped to see Alexander sitting in the living room, ready to answer the questions tormenting her mind.Sighing, she muttered to herself,"What were you thinking exactly, Mary?""Is he that mad that he went to sleep so early?"She looked around again, taking note of the strange silence that hung over the house.Where is everyone? she wondered."Did their master's bad mood affect them all?" Mary blurted out softly, shaking her head in confusion.Her heart felt restless, an uneasy weight settling inside her chest. She began walking upstairs, unable to push the thought of Maya out of her mind.Who is Maya to you, Alex? Was she your ex…Even your family knows her. She comes to your house and eats at the same table as you…Her thoughts sp

Mary sat inside the car with two packages of meals, heading to Lipton Corporation.The driver pulled the car to a stop in front of the company building. Mary stepped out, carrying the two flasks carefully in her hands.She looked up at the towering glass building and sighed softly."So this is your empire."Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and walked into the company.Mary approached the receptionist desk with a polite smile."Hi, I am here to see your boss, Alexander Lipton. Could you please inform him that a guest is here to see him?"The receptionist looked Mary up and down. Seeing her simple outfit, she rejected the request immediately."I am sorry, but he is very busy right now and cannot meet with any guests."Mary tightened her grip on the flask."Could you please call him at least?" she insisted. "Let him know his wife is here. I am pretty sure he would let me in.""No, I can't. Who are you to tell me what to do?"The receptionist's voice rose sharply, attractin