Chapter 4 Sleeping In A Strange Man's House

Natalie’s POV

My heart slammed against my ribs for like a hundredths of time. What was he angry about?

I tried to pull out of his grip, but this made him tighten it even more around my waist, pulling me closer—too close.

I could feel his breath against my skin.

It sent a dangerous shiver down my spine. I pulled away from him, more forcefully this time. “Let go of me, Rafael,” I hissed. “You have no right to ask!”

“I have all damn fucking right, Natalie,” he hissed back. “You know that damn well.”

I frowned, searching into his eyes. “Are you even listening to yourself?”

He just stared into my eyes stubbornly. 

Fine…

I would give him the answer he wanted to hear. I would tell him who he was.

I forced myself to look away, scanning the crowd as if searching for someone.

“He’s not here yet,” I said.

Silence.

Heavy. Suffocating silence.

His grip tightened.

I swallowed hard, forcing a stupid smile.

“I’ll arrange for you to meet him someday.”

Maybe if I kept this act going, he would lose interest… Then, go back to Debbie… forget everything. Mission done. That's simple.

I could not let him see through me.

‘I know he’s trying to protect me as his little sister. As he always does.’ I kept telling myself.

“My pleasure,” he said, his deep voice low—too calm. Too dangerous.

Something flickered in his eyes. Something I didn’t understand.

And didn’t want to.

Relief washed over me when I saw Debbie approaching us.

I immediately pulled away from him, stepping back. He let go of me this time.

Debbie slipped her hand into his arm, her lips curling into a possessive smirk.

“I think you should find a man for yourself, darling,” she said sweetly. “And keep your hands away from mine.” She emphasized the word mine, pretending she was joking.

Rafael didn’t look at her.

His gaze stayed on me as he said coldly, “Natalie has a secret boyfriend.”

My heart dropped.

Oh God.

Debbie blinked in surprise, then quickly recovered, smiling wider. “Oh, dear Natalie… is that why you’ve been rejecting David? You already have someone?”

‘No. I have a secret husband,’ I mumbled in my head. ‘And he’s your fiancee.’

Rafael’s jaw tightened slightly. “David?”

Debbie nodded enthusiastically. “My cousin. He adores her. I’ve been trying to set them up.”

Her eyes slid to me, sharp and knowing.

Rafael let out a low scoff. “Interesting. I thought you were still innocent, Natalie.” His eyes examined my face.

His words cut deeper than they should have. 

Legally, he was mine. But I couldn’t claim him.

And now I had to pretend I belonged to someone else.

What kind of twisted joke was this?

I forced a bright smile.

“Well, I hope you two live happily ever after.” I winked at Debbie. “And I’ll take your advice… I’ll go find my boyfriend.”

Before Rafael could respond, I turned away, unlocking my phone and pretending to make a call as I walked off.

My heart was pounding wildly.

I didn’t stop until I reached the other side of the yard.

Chaos was running in my head. My heart pained me harder than earlier. Harder than it should be.

“Hello. Are you Natalie?” A deep male voice cut through the chaos of my head.

I turned.

A tall blond man stood there, wearing a charming, effortless smile.

“Hi… yes,” I said, slightly frowning.

He extended his hand. “Daniel Rowsen. Your new neighbor.”

I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, mr. Rowsen.”

I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and drank it in one go.

Bad idea.

Very bad idea.

“I like the neighborhood,” Daniel said warmly.

“Good,” I replied, already reaching for another glass.

I wasn’t thinking anymore.

I just wanted to feel nothing. I wanted the pain to vanish.

When Daniel offered me his untouched drink, I took it and swallowed it immediately.

“What about a dance?” I said suddenly.

I didn’t even think.

I just… reacted.

Because across the floor… Rafael was dancing with Debbie.

Daniel raised a brow, surprised, then smiled. “Sure.”

He placed his hand on my back, guiding me toward the dance floor.

The music was slow. Too slow. My body tried to follow the music rhythm, but my head spun.

“I’ll guide you,” he murmured. Too gentle. Too kind.

“You’re like an angel…” I mumbled.

Without realizing, I leaned my head against his chest.

But it felt wrong. Cold.

“Why isn’t your chest warm like his…?” I whispered.

“What?” Daniel asked, confused.

My gaze lifted…

And collided with Rafael’s. Dark. Burning. Dangerous.

“He’s so handsome,” I continued, my voice slurring. “We’ve been married for a year… and he never touched me.”

I didn’t even realize what I was saying. Didn’t realize what I was revealing.

Everything blurred. My body gave up.

And the world went black.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, my head felt like it was splitting apart.

“Finally, you’re awake.” A male voice.

I froze.

This wasn’t my room.

Panic surged through me.

“Where am I?” I demanded, sitting up too fast.

“In my house,” the blond man replied casually. “On my couch, to be exact.”

“What the hell?!”

I looked down at myself. Still dressed.

Relief hit me instantly.

“How did I get here?” I asked.

He smirked. “On your own feet. I just helped you not collapse.”

I groaned, pressing my fingers to my temples. “And your name…?”

He chuckled, clearly amused.

“Daniel. Again. That’s the second time I introduce myself in less than twenty-four hours.”

Right… The neighbor.

Fragments of last night started coming back.

The party.

The alcohol.

The dance…

My eyes widened slightly.

“Did we…?”

“Sleep together?” he finished, grinning. “No. I don’t sleep with married women.”

My heart stopped.

“W…What?” I exclaimed. My voice hitched.

How did he know that?

I stared at him, my mind racing.

What exactly did I say last night?