All Chapters of A Vow Of Reluctance : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Skyla's pov The next morning, the house is quiet. Too quiet. I linger in bed longer than I should, staring at the ceiling as sunlight spills through the heavy curtains. For a moment, I let myself pretend this is normal, like I’m waking up in a life I chose. But reality presses down on me like a weight. I’m married to a man who barely looks at me. Sighing, I slip out of bed, the cool marble floor sending a shiver up my spine. My reflection in the mirror catches my attention, a reminder of how much my life has changed overnight. The delicate silk nightgown clings to my frame, its elegance foreign to me. I was used to threadbare pajamas and Emma’s teasing about my mismatched socks, not luxury tailored to fit a stranger’s world. I wrap myself in a soft cardigan, the fabric heavy against my skin, and step into the hallway. The silence feels more suffocating today, thick with words unsaid and questions I’m too afraid to ask. The kitchen is empty when I reach it. No bustling cook

Skyla's pov The next morning I twist the cap off my water bottle, taking a long sip as I wipe a bead of sweat from my brow. The gym is tucked away on the far side of the house, a sleek, glass-walled room with polished wooden floors and enough state of the art equipment to rival a professional fitness center. It’s too pristine, too impersonal, but it’s a welcome distraction from the silence I’ve grown used to. Since I arrived, Alonso has barely spoken to me. Conversations feel one-sided , I ask questions; he answers with the bare minimum. The house itself mirrors his personality immaculate, controlled, and distant. Every room feels like a showroom rather than a home, and I wonder if anyone has ever truly lived here. At least the gym gives me something to do. A shred of normalcy. I settle onto the mat, easing into a stretch. The tightness in my muscles is a familiar ache, one that soothes my restless thoughts. Working out has always been my escape, a way to clear my mind when l

Alonso's pov "These numbers aren't matching the projections," I said, my tone clipped as I leaned back in my leather chair. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind me cast long shadows across the sleek lines of my office. Barcelona’s skyline stretched beyond the glass, a city teeming with life, in sharp contrast to the cold precision within these walls. Carlos stood at the edge of my desk, arms folded as he scanned the quarterly report. "The Serrano project’s delays are eating into the margins. If the suppliers don’t align by the end of the month, we’ll take a hit." I tightened my jaw. "Then make them align. I don’t tolerate inefficiency." My voice remained calm, measured but irritation simmered beneath the surface. I had no patience for carelessness. Not in my business. Not in my home. Control was everything. Without it, things fell apart and I didn’t let things fall apart. Carlos raised an eyebrow, but whatever amusement he found in my reaction didn’t reach his voice. "I’ll han

Alonso's pov“I want Skyla to take me to school!” Alejandro’s voice echoed through the hallway, loud and insistent,pulling me from my thoughts.I paused, adjusting the cuff of my shirt, the morning light casting long shadows across the marble floor. The household buzzed with its usual efficiency, but this request was unexpected."You have a driver," I reminded him, keeping my tone even."But I want her," he insisted, his dark eyes wide and unwavering. His backpack, slightly too large for his small frame, slipped off one shoulder.Skyla stood just behind him, a faint crease forming between her brows, uncertain whether to intervene or remain silent."It's fine," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't mind taking him if that's what he wants."My voice remained measured. "It's unnecessary."Alejandro's lower lip pushed forward in a pout. "But I want Skyla to come with me," he pressed, tugging gently at her hand.I studied them both. Alejandro rarely deviated f

Skyla's pov"I’ve been invited to a family gathering," I said, trying to make it sound casual. "Next weekend."Ana’s eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing. I knew she was likely wondering if I was prepared for whatever might come with such an event. Family gatherings, after all, came with a set of expectations, and I wasn’t sure how much of that I could handle yet."I’ll be fine," I said, mostly to reassure myself.Ana gave a soft nod, her gaze thoughtful. She didn’t push, which I appreciated. I often found it hard to talk about the swirling mess of thoughts in my head, let alone admit how out of place I felt in this new world. She simply moved around the kitchen, the sound of her rhythmic chopping filling the otherwise quiet space.Dinner that evening was a simple affair. I helped Ana in the kitchen, the calm routine of slicing vegetables and stirring pots grounding me. The movement was comforting, a small anchor in the sea of uncertainty that the family gathering represented.