We Shouldn’t Be Touching

{Harlow’s POV}

The gates of Vale Estate opened like a hole that swallowed secrets with stone walls rising on both sides— Iron curling into thorns and a driveway long enough to hide regret in. 

My hands stayed folded in my lap as the car rolled forward, smooth as a well told lie.

I was twenty-nine.

Purchased.

And resold to a prettier cage— (courtesy of my parents)

The house didn’t care about my age or the ruin stitched beneath my ribs. It only cared that Adrien Vale could afford to keep me.

The man waiting for me on the steps was not young or gentle. He was not anything a girl writes in a diary.

Adrien Vale was money in human form— sharp where he wanted, soft where he chose. He held himself like a verdict.

“Mrs. Vale,” he greeted when I stepped out of the car. 

He was already tagging me with his family name and I hated how the title settled on my skin, like a brand I had agreed to. Because, technically, I had.

“It’s Harlow,” I corrected softly and his eyes flickered at my response, approval or annoyance— I couldn’t tell but then it disappeared almost immediately. 

“Come,” he said, offering his arm. I took it because refusing would only make a scene I couldn’t afford.

The foyer smelled of cedar and polished stone as we trailed in. The chandelier glittered like a cluster of frozen stars and everywhere I looked, there were reminders that this house belonged to a lineage, not a person.

Portraits.

Locked doors.

Eyes that followed.

I knew this was an arrangement, but some arrangements bite.

Adrien led me deeper into the house, and down corridors lined with glass cases and velvet curtains. His shoes were silent while mine echoed, and I hated that the sound made me feel exposed.

“You’ll find Vale Estate… structured,” he said, the word measured. “And there are rules.”

“Of course,” I murmured.

“And residents.” He added. 

Residents.

Plural.

I inhaled once, at that. I had been told there was a son. I just hadn’t met him or seen what he looked like. 

— not until Adrien stopped at a wide double door, pushed it open, and said, with a voice dipped in warning rather than warmth; 

“Kael.”

My heartbeat stuttered. I don’t know why. 

A figure stood by the window, back turned to us, pose rigid. He was younger than I expected, younger than me by at least five years, maybe more. 

He had broad-shoulders, dark hair and a good physique; a really obvious one. Tension poured off him like heat from steel and when he turned, the air changed temperature.

Sharp jaw. Blue eyes, and a mouth that looked like it had bitten down on too many things— anger, pride, maybe softer things once upon a time.

He looked at me. Then at my hand on his father’s arm. Then back at me.

His contempt was instant.

“I see.” His voice was low, rough. “Another one.”

Adrien exhaled, instantly annoyed. “Mind your tone.”

Kael ignored him completely. “So this is her.” He commented and it was not a greeting, not even an acknowledgment. It was instant judgement.

But then I lifted my chin, refusing to shrink. “Yes,” I said. “This is her.”

His gaze dragged down my body like he was assessing a flaw he intended to report to a higher authority. It was cold and unapologetic.

“You’re older than the last one,” he said now.

Adrien’s jaw tightened. “Enough.”

I wasn’t expecting his comment also but then I didn’t show it. “Good.” I remarked. “Then you’ll speak to me like an adult.” I said and for a heartbeat, something flickered in Kael’s eyes. 

It was something close to surprise or curiosity but then he didn’t show it as it was almost immediately replaced by a frown. 

“You irritate me.”

Adrien stepped between us now. “Kael, behave!” He voiced. 

“Why?” Kael drawled. “I don’t care about her or what she feels!”

He said it like he wished it were true, like something about me had already bothered him.

With that, Adrien’s fingers brushed my arm, light and guiding. “Come, Harlow. I’ll show you your quarters.”

He took me away but Kael’s stare followed.

It wasn’t admiration. It was accusation, and something else threaded in-between it.

**

My new room was too beautiful to breathe in.

Velvet curtains, a bed carved from dark walnut, and a wardrobe taller than I’d ever needed. Everything was plush, curated, and museum-level intentional.

Adrien stood by the window while I stood by the door. Distance felt safe.

“This union benefits us both,” he said. “You’ll be cared for and protected.”

Owned, you mean. 

But I didn’t say it.

“Do not engage Kael unnecessarily,” he continued. “He has… feelings relating the past.”

I did not ask what that meant. I only said, quietly, “I don’t plan on relating to him.”

With that, Adrien’s gaze softened for the first time. “Good.” He said as he came over.

He brushed a kiss against my cheek; a polite one— the kind a man gives a painting he just bought. He did that and then he left.

Silence pressed against my ears like a palm.

I let myself breathe out and then I wandered through the room, touching fabrics, memorizing exits. I found a sewing kit hidden in a drawer, a ribbon tucked behind a mirror, and hairpins scattered like they had been dropped in a rush.

Someone lived here before me.

And someone left too quickly.

The glass window overlooked the courtyard and I strolled over to it. When I leaned closer, the glass reflected my face… and another shape behind me.

Kael.

I tensed. 

He was standing in the doorway, silent and staring. I turned slowly. “Don’t you knock?”

“No,” he said, crossing his arms. “You shouldn’t leave your door unlocked.”

“It was locked.” I said and he smirked— barely, and that made it even more pronounced. 

“Not to me.”

He walked in without permission now, scanning everything; the bed, the wardrobe.. me. His gaze felt like hands on my spine.

“Uhm. What do you want?” I asked, confused.

“Nothing.” He stepped closer. “I wanted to see the woman my father thought was worth the trouble.”

He said it like a challenge.

I held ground. “And?” I inquired and his stare dipped to my mouth slightly… and lingered for an uncomfortable moment. 

“And I see the appeal,” he added and heat prickled my skin against my will.

He grew aware of the change in the atmosphere and stepped back immediately with his jaw clenching, as if disgusted with himself.

“Don’t misread it,” he immediately. “I’m not saying you’re attractive. I don’t want you here so keep out of my way.” He rushed his words almost awkwardly and turned sharply to leave— but then he nearly collided with someone in the hall.

A man stood there. Tall. Red-haired; his expression too calm, but too polite.

The man’s smile did not reach his eyes.

“Forgive me,” the man said smoothly. “I was on my way to the west wing.”

Kael stiffened. “Elias.”

The Elias-named guy inclined his head. “Kael.” He greeted and then let his gaze drift to me.

His expression was assessing but something about it made the marrow in my bones cold.

“Welcome to the Vale Estate, Mrs. Vale,” he greeted me now. “I look forward to… seeing more of you.”

His manner of speech creeped me out a bit and Kael’s expression darkened now. “Don’t you have somewhere else to lurk?”

Elias’s smile sharpened. “Always.”

He walked away with footsteps too soft for a man his height. I shifted my attention from him but Kael did not.

He stared after Elias, jaw still tight and eyes sharp as knives. Then he said, without looking at me, “Don’t ever be alone with him.”

His voice held no hostility then. Only warning.

I opened my mouth to ask why but he walked away before I could speak.

**

Later, I sat at the vanity table, brushing my hair in slow strokes while letting the day settle under my forced composure. My reflection looked like someone I hadn’t met yet.

Someone trapped. Someone scared.

A floorboard creaked softly in the hallway and I tensed before a voice rang behind the door.

“Sir Adrian calls for your presence. He says to put on something sexy.” The voice said and the footsteps retreated. 

The silence that came afterwards, came with realization. 

Sex— with my new husband. 

My breathing became shaky and as much as I wanted to get up and run away at the mention of that, this was my duty as wife.

Get fucked, eat, sleep, and get fucked again… because Adrian’s millions was what was ensuring my parents and family lived a better life. So I couldn’t refuse. 

I got up now with the weight of my predicament fully pressing down on me and then I wore my night robe and nothing else underneath.

It was transparent and I guess that was sexy enough. With that, I left my room to Adrian’s room trembling.

Wish me luck