Chapter 2

The next morning, reality settled heavily on my shoulders like chains I could not break.

I sat quietly on the edge of the enormous bed, staring at the dark silver bracelet resting in my palm.

The memory of last night refused to leave my head.

The warm touch....The deep voice. The strong arms.

Nothing about that man had felt old.

Yet everyone in this mansion insisted that my husband was an aging billionaire old enough to be my grandfather.

My fingers tightened around the bracelet.

Was I losing my mind? Or had someone truly entered my room last night?

The thought alone made my heartbeat quicken.

I slowly stood from the bed and walked toward the giant mirror standing across the room.

For a moment, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

The girl in the mirror looked exhausted... Broken.

Her swollen eyes carried the weight of too many disappointments.

I touched my reflection softly. “How did my life end up like this?” I whispered.

Growing up, I had once believed love would find me someday. I used to imagine marrying a man who would cherish me, protect me, and make me feel safe.

Instead, I had been sold into marriage like a business transaction. My foster mother didn’t even hesitate. To her, my pain had a price... And she sold me for it.

My chest tightened painfully. No! I couldn’t stay here forever. No matter how luxurious this mansion looked, it still felt like a prison.

I walked toward the small luggage box sitting near the couch.

It was old and worn out, but it contained the only valuable things left behind by my late parents. A faded family photograph. My mother’s necklace. And a small diary I had written in as a child.

Those were the only reminders that I once belonged somewhere.

I knelt beside the box and slowly arranged my things. Maybe I should leave, Maybe I should disappear before this strange marriage consumed me completely.

But then another thought entered my mind.

Last night.

The memory alone made warmth creep into my cheeks. I hated myself for it. How could I still think about those kisses? How could my body react so strongly to someone I had never even seen? The experience had felt too intimate. Too perfect. Too young.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bedroom door opening.

I quickly stood up.

Mr. Lu, as I had overheard the staffs address him, walked into the room with calm, measured steps.

The moment I saw him, confusion immediately flooded my mind again.

The old man before me looked nothing like the person from last night.

His shoulders were slightly bent with age, His breathing sounded heavier.

His wrinkled hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his expensive suit.

This man… Could not possibly be the one who held me in his arms last night.

“Good morning,” he greeted softly. I lowered my gaze immediately.

“Good morning, sir,” I answered. His eyes landed briefly on the luggage box.

“Are you planning to leave already?” he asked calmly.

My heart skipped. I forced a nervous smile. “No… I was only arranging my things.”

He studied me silently for a few seconds.

For some reason, it felt like he could see straight through my lies.

Then unexpectedly, he chuckled.

“I hope you enjoyed yourself last night.”

Heat instantly rushed to my face. I looked away quickly.

The memory of those kisses returned again...The touch.

The warmth. The passion.

A strange mix of embarrassment and confusion twisted inside me.

“Yes,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

His old eyes narrowed slightly, almost like he found my answer amusing.

“How thoughtful of you,” he murmured. Something about his reaction felt strange.

Almost suspicious. But before I could think further, he reached into his coat and brought out a black card. My eyes widened. “A credit card?”

“It belongs to you now,” he said. I stared at him in shock. “I can’t accept this.”

“You are my wife,” he replied simply. “You should have access to whatever you want.”

Me, his wife? I felt a cold shiver run down my spines, as if it was the first time i had ever heard the word "My Wife ". This time the word seemed rather personal as though referring to someone so special. The words should have comforted me. Instead, they made me feel trapped.

Like golden chains had been wrapped around my wrists.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. He nodded.

Then, to my surprise, he gently kissed my forehead.

I stiffened immediately.The gesture felt kind.

Too kind.

And somehow, that scared me even more.

“Make yourself comfortable here,” he said before turning toward the door.

Just before leaving, he paused.

“You may go out if you wish. The driver will take you anywhere.”

After he left, silence filled the room again.

I looked down at the black card in my hand.

Everything about this marriage confused me. An old billionaire who treated me gently.

A mysterious man who entered my room. And a bracelet that carried secrets no one wanted to explain. Hours later, I decided to leave the mansion for a while. Maybe fresh air would help clear my thoughts.

The luxury boutique downtown was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above polished marble floors while expensive perfumes filled the air. Women dressed in designer clothes moved elegantly around the store. For a brief moment, I felt out of place. Like I didn’t belong in such luxury. Still, I forced myself to continue walking.

I stopped in front of a beautiful diamond necklace displayed behind glass.

It reminded me of the necklace my mother used to wear when I was younger.

Pain flashed briefly through my chest. I missed her.

I missed the life I once had before everything fell apart. Suddenly, sharp laughter echoed behind me. The sound was cruel, Mocking, Familiar. My body froze instantly. Slowly, I turned around.

Jamiah....My stepsister.

She stood there dressed in expensive clothes, surrounded by two friends who looked equally arrogant.

The moment our eyes met, a cruel smile spread across her face.

“Well, well,” she sneered loudly. “Look who we have here.”

I immediately felt uncomfortable.

“Jamiah…”

“Oh please,” she interrupted dramatically. “Don’t act familiar with me.”

Several people nearby turned their attention toward us.

I lowered my gaze, hoping she would leave.

But Jamiah had never been the type to let me go peacefully.

She walked around me slowly, examining me from head to toe.

“So the poor orphan finally got lucky,” she mocked. “I heard you married some old billionaire.”

Her friends laughed. My hands clenched tightly. “It’s none of your business,” I said quietly.

“Oh, but it is my business,” she replied. “After all, everyone knows you were sold off like property.”

Her words sliced painfully through my chest.

I could already feel eyes staring at me.

Whispers began spreading around the boutique.

Humiliation burned my skin. Jamiah stepped closer.

“What do you think you’re doing in a place like this?” she asked loudly. “Do you honestly believe marrying an old man suddenly makes you classy?”

Tears gathered painfully in my eyes. But I refused to cry in front of her.

Not again.

“You should remember your place,” she continued cruelly. “You’re nothing more than a contract wife. A tool used to settle business deals.”

The entire boutique suddenly felt suffocating. Every painful memory returned at once.

The insults.The rejection. The years of feeling unwanted.

Jamiah smirked when she noticed my silence. “Oh? Did the truth hurt?”

Her friends burst into laughter again. Something inside me cracked.

Without another word, I turned around and rushed toward the exit. I just wanted to escape.

But before I could reach the door, my heels twisted painfully.

A gasp escaped my lips as my body lost balance.

Everything happened too fast.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist before I could hit the floor.

My breath caught instantly. Warm hands held me firmly against a hard chest.

My heartbeat became wild. Because that scent…

I knew it. Fresh. Warm. Dangerously familiar.

The same scent from last night. My entire body froze.

Slowly, I lifted my head. A tall young man stared down at me. He was devastatingly handsome.

Sharp jawline. Dark intense eyes. Perfect lips.

And an overwhelming presence that made my heart race uncontrollably.

“Careful,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.” The deep sound of his voice sent chills through me.

That voice!

My pulse quickened violently. I knew that voice. Impossible... I knew that voice. It couldn’t be. I immediately pulled away from him, my heart beating wildly inside my chest.

The stranger’s hands loosened around my waist slowly, but his eyes never left mine. Those dark eyes felt dangerously familiar. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The boutique suddenly felt too quiet. Too small. Too intense. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.That voice again.

Deep. Calm. Warm. My pulse raced uncontrollably. I knew that voice. Or maybe I only wanted to know it.

Know. “I… I’m fine,” I answered nervously.

Before he could say another word, Jamiah scoffed loudly from behind.

“Tch. Someone should teach you how to walk properly,” she mocked.

I quickly stepped away from the stranger’s arms. Embarrassment flooded my face. Jamiah rolled her eyes before turning back toward her friends.

“Let’s go,” she said dismissively. “I’ve already wasted enough time here.” The three of them walked away laughing among themselves. I released a shaky breath. The humiliation still burned painfully inside my chest. For a few seconds, silence stretched awkwardly between me and the mysterious man. Then he bent down and picked up something from the floor. My breath caught instantly.

The bracelet.

The dark silver bracelet with knitted black threads. The exact same design as the one hidden inside my room. He stared at it briefly before handing it back to me. “You dropped this,” he said quietly. Our fingers brushed lightly. A strange spark rushed through my body. I quickly pulled my hand back.

“T-Thank you,” I whispered.

The man studied me carefully, almost like he wanted to say something more. But instead, he simply gave a small nod.

“Be careful next time,” he murmured.

Then he turned and walked away. I stood frozen in place, watching his tall figure disappear slowly through the crowd. My heart refused to calm down. The scent. The warmth. The voice. Everything about him felt hauntingly familiar. Slowly, I looked down at the bracelet trembling in my hand. Then one terrifying thought entered my mind.What if the mysterious man from my wedding night…

Was the same stranger who just saved me?