Prologue

I was just about to enter my husband’s office when I heard his voice through the door, “She’s okay, as far as housewives go, but not stunning enough to take to events.” I heard his best friend, Liam’s voice respond, “Are you crazy? Dude, I would kill for a wife like her. She’s beautiful, smart, and her life revolves around you. Sorry, but I think you’re going blind.”

I was trying to pull myself away from the door, then froze in place when I heard Victor reply, “Daya will be coming back soon. She’s the one I want. If my dad hadn’t insisted, I would’ve never married her.” Liam countered, “Everything you love on Daya is fake. Your wife is all natural and beautiful. You are making the biggest mistake of your life. Just let me know when you do it. I want to be there to help her heal.”

Victor growled, “Stay away from her.” Liam growled in return, “Try me. You may be stupid, but I’m not. I’m going to the bar. If you want to join me, I’ll see you there. If not, I’m still going.” I heard Liam step toward the door and I quickly walked around the corner trying to keep from breaking out into full on sobs. As Liam walked toward the elevator, I decided to go back to my desk.

Before I could make it to the elevator, I ran to the restroom and locked myself in a stall. I started crying uncontrollably until I felt like I could get to my desk without breaking down again. I walked to the sink and looked at my face in the mirror. My eyes were puffy as I splashed water on my face. I fixed my makeup and walked to my desk.

When I made it to my office, I shut my door and broke down again. I don’t understand why he still doesn’t want me. I have literally changed everything about myself to earn his love. I have loved him since I was twelve and we used to hang out together all the time. After high school, I went to college and earned my degree in fashion and jewelry design just to be able to work with him.

My name is Harlequin Frost. Those close to me call me Harley. Victor and I entered an arranged marriage, set up by his father. I knew Victor was against it, but I’m sure his dad refused to let him continue as CEO of their company if he didn’t do this.

When we got married, Victor insisted I keep my maiden name. He said he wasn’t ready for the world to know he was married. Therefore, we were never seen together in public or at work, he spoke about personal matters in code to keep everyone at work from finding out.

From the time we were kids all the way until the day we got married, he was nothing but good to me and we got along well. It seemed as soon as Victor had that ring on my finger, everything changed and I started living in my own private prison cell.  On our wedding night, he took me to his condo and sighed, “Let me make this absolutely clear for you. I do not want the world to know we are married.

“We will not go anywhere together. You have your own car with a driver. His information is right there on the counter along with your own set of keys to the condo. Do not go anywhere without your driver.

“I will provide everything you will need, so you can quit working. You can concentrate on keeping our place clean and organized.” I interrupted him immediately, “I have a job and I will not stop working. There are only so many hours that I can clean this condo.

“I worked too hard on my education to stop working. You can just deal with that. I work at your company, so keeping an eye on me should be easy for you”.

He asked, “You can lose the smart-ass attitude. You are not the one in charge here nor are we equal. Are you going to be able to act as though you don’t know me?”

I nodded, “I’ve been ignoring you at work the entire time we were dating. I can keep my presence purely professional.” He nodded, “Okay.” I asked, “If you don’t like me, why did you ask me to marry you?”

He smiled, “Who said I don’t like you? I do love you. I just don’t want the world to know it. It’s better for my company for me to appear single. I will be making appearances at events and with my friends at bars. I do not want you there.” I waved that off, “I’m just fine with that. Just don’t come home drunk and want sex. I will not have rancid alcohol breath all over me.”

Now, two years later, Victor has taken over control of his dad’s company and we have successfully kept our marriage a secret. No matter how hard I have tried to make Victor happy, he is still indifferent to me. He hasn’t treated me badly, so I continue trying my hardest to please him and, possibly, get him to reciprocate my feelings.

Now I know his father is the reason he proposed. I don’t think he has any feelings for me. Theodore has been the only person in that family who I feel like I can trust. He has seen how Victor treats me and he keeps telling me, “I should have asked Daniel if he would marry you. At least he doesn’t lock his feelings away.”