Chapter four

I woke in the morning, the maid guiding me to the dining room.

As I got there, Sterling was already there. He wasn't eating, he was reading a file, a crystal glass of water beside him. He didn't look up when I entered.

"Sit," he commanded.

I sat, my hands trembling beneath the table.

He slid a single sheet of heavy, cream-colored stationery across the mahogany surface.

"Read it," he said.

My eyes scanned the lines. It wasn't just a demand to stay away from Harris; it was a total severance of his existence from mine. Clause one: Immediate cessation of all contact with H.R. Clause two: Mandatory presence at all social functions under the husband's direction. Clause three: Financial autonomy is contingent upon absolute discretion.

"This is ridiculous," I whispered, the heat of shame rising in my neck. "You can't own my thoughts, Sterling."

"I don't need to own your thoughts," he leaned forward, his shadow swallowing me. "Vanessa," You can be the woman the world sees my loyal, elegant wife and live in the luxury you’ve grown so fond of. Or, you can continue this little rebellion, and I will make sure Harris is too busy struggling to survive to ever look your way again."

“I’ll start with his job. Then his accounts. Then his father’s company. I’ll make sure even his name becomes a liability.”

Without a word, he rose from his seat and walked to the sideboard. He poured himself another glass of water. When he returned to the table, he placed a sleek black phone in front of me.

”This is your new device," he stated flatly. “You don’t dare contact your lover with it”.

"And if I refuse to take it?" I heard myself ask, but a word never escaped my mouth.

Without a reply, he stood up.

"The maid will bring your breakfast shortly," he added, turning toward the door. "Eat well. You’ll need your strength for the gala tonight. You are wearing the emeralds I bought you last. I expect you will look... stunning,” he kissed my forehead and left.

Slowly I reached for the phone, and withdrew my hands. I walked out, passing through the hallway and Glassdoors that looked almost the same.

Suddenly, I found the door half open. Curiosity led me into the dimly lit room. It appeared to be an abandoned study. Looking around, my eyes saw a photo album.

I opened it, and saw myself staring at me.

No, not me. A girl. Same face, eyes, nose and smile.

"Her name was Vivienne," I heard his voice brush my shoulders, his hands grabbing my hair to my shoulders. "We met in university, fell in love quickly. She was... much like you. Strong Spirited. Passionate..”

"What happened to her?" I repeated, louder this time.

His jaw tightened. "She died,” his voice cracked.

“Go and rest up for tonight,” he said to me.

A few hours later, my feet touched the ground, Sterling’s holding my fingers as we walked down the red carpet, lights flashing on our faces and cameras capturing

The ballroom erupted into applause as we entered. Everyone knew who we were: the wealthy, powerful couple at the peak of social status. I smiled and waved, trying to ignore the growing sense of unease in my gut.

“Darling," a voice called from across the room. "You look stunning! You look just like my best friend”.

My breath hitched. "Thank you," I forced out, glancing at Sterling. He gave me a nod before disappearing into the crowd.

A young woman approached, eyes wide with admiration.

"You remind me so much of Vivienne. It's uncanny!"

Inching closer, she softly whispered into my ears, “Vivienne disappeared after trying to leave him.”

Was that meant to scare me? As I turned, Sterlings appeared behind me.

“Come with me,” he said, softly grabbing my hands and pulling me through the crowd.

He led me through a pair of glass doors and onto a private balcony overlooking the city. “Come,” he said calmly. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“Gina” a voice echoed.

“Harris,” the words escaped my lips and Sterlings looked at me, this time with a smile.

“I thought you wanted to meet me alone,” Harris said.

Did Sterling bring me to ridicule me? What’s in his sleeves?

Sterling walked to Harris, handing a paper over to him. “Ten PM tonight,” he said, and Harris nodded.

Immediately he took me away, leaving Harris standing.

The ride back home was quiet, the silence felt more like punishment than peace.

“Bring him in,” Sterling said to the guard standing next to him.

Within seconds, Harris walked in.

"You think this is amusing?" I finally managed, turning to face him fully, ignoring Sterling's subtle, triumphant smirk. “First you bring me out like a prize exhibit? Is this your grand gesture, darling? 'Look, Vanessa, you look just like Vivienne, and here is the living proof! What next do you want?”

Sterling squeezed my hand, “Don’t say a word.”

Before I could speak, he turned back to address the maid, who was standing a few feet apart,“ You are dismissed."

He then turned to me again, his gaze locking onto mine, an unspoken command passing between us that resonated deeper than any written clause. "Come. Let's go inside. We have... duties to attend to."

He turned back to Harris, who was not moving, “That includes you,” his voice commanding.

In the room, Sterling turned to me and back at Harris.

“You both, take off your clothes,” he commanded.

I froze, my mind racing to process what was happening. This couldn't be real. Sterling couldn't possibly mean what I thought he meant.

"Take off your clothes?" I repeated, my voice barely in a whisper. "What is wrong with you?"

But Sterling simply stared at me, his expression unreadable, waiting. The weight of his authority hung in the air, suffocating and absolute. This was what he'd planned all along.

Harris shifted uncomfortably beside me, clearly equally confused and horrified. But under Sterling's unwavering gaze, he began to comply, slowly removing his jacket, then his shirt.

"No!" I muttered. "Absolutely not! This is insane!"

Sterling's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you really want to test me right now, Vanessa? After everything? You've been pushing boundaries since day one. Perhaps it's time I pushed back harder."