Semua Bab The Governor's Wife: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Soon after, the car slowed to a stop in front of the estate gates. The iron bars parted without a sound, as if even they knew who was arriving. One of the uniformed guards quickly moved to my side and opened the SUV door.I stepped out, brushing down the soft folds of my dress as my heels touched the white marble driveway. The air smelled like cut grass.Before me stood the Montgomery estate—an elegant, sprawling mansion that had belonged to my grandfather before my father. Cream stone walls, tall white columns, and endless arched windows.It is the same as always, but today… something felt different.I frowned. There were too many cars parked in the driveway—sleek black ones with tinted windows. More guards than usual stood by the door, stiff and alert. Tension clung to the air. A knot formed in my stomach.“What’s going on?” I asked, turning to Lucia as she stepped out behind me.She adjusted her blazer but didn’t hide her own confusion. “I… I’m not sure. I wasn’t informed of any me

Everyone outside was moving like clockwork—perfecting every last detail. Inside the makeup room, I sat still, like I had been for the past hour. The mirror in front of me showed a woman I barely recognized.My hair was twisted into an elaborate updo, pinned with white pearls and tiny dried flowers that matched the pale tone of my gown. But for now, I wasn’t wearing it. I was still in the simple ivory slip they gave me while the final touches were being made. A thin robe hung loosely over my shoulders, but it did nothing to stop the cold sinking into my bones.I should’ve felt beautiful. Instead, I felt like throwing up.My skin was pale beneath the layers of makeup. My cheeks powdered, contoured, blushed—yet nothing could cover the dullness in my eyes. The emptiness and ache that had been growing for weeks. My lips trembled every few minutes. The makeup artist kept touching them up, murmuring that everything would be fine. That I’d look perfect.I hadn’t eaten yesterday. I couldn’t ea

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted them—my family, seated in the front row. My father with his perfectly practiced smile, my mother’s eyes gleaming with approval, and my siblings sitting like statues beside them.And on the other side, equally poised and picture-perfect, the Kingston family. Sylvia Kingston sat tall, her expression unreadable but pleasant—too pleasant.Beside her sat Nathaniel Kingston, Sebastian’s younger brother. Maybe twenty-five. Slightly more relaxed in posture, but no less refined. His features bore the same sharp edges—the same cold beauty—but where Sebastian’s eyes were ice, Nathaniel’s held a flicker of something else.They all looked so pleased. Like everything had finally fallen into place. While I… I couldn’t feel my own hands. Because this wasn’t a beginning. It was the sealing of a fate I never chose.Then suddenly, Sebastian moved. He leaned in slowly as if even his gestures had to be measured. I felt his breath brush against my ear—warm and terrify

The tinted windows dulled the afternoon sun into a muted gray color. Outside, the rest of the black vehicles followed closely behind.I folded my hands on my lap, trying to breathe evenly, trying to keep my mind from spiraling. Sebastian didn’t speak right away. He was typing something on his phone with the same calm I’d seen in news clips.Then, without looking at me, he spoke. “You will have a curfew until 11:00 pm only”I turned my head slightly but didn’t meet his eyes.“You’re not allowed to go anywhere without notifying me or my secretary. Security is non-negotiable. No exceptions. You will be expected to attend functions, charity events, and any occasion that involves my office or the Kingston name.”I said nothing and simply nodded once and turned to stare out the window. My reflection stared back at me—flushed cheeks, tired eyes, and a veil slightly crooked from the earlier stumble. I didn’t bother to fix it.“Don’t ruin the image,” he added. “You’re my wife now. You will act

A knock pulled me from my thoughts.“You forgot your clothes,” Sebastian’s voice came through the door.“I’m fine!” I called out, too fast. “I’ll—I’ll get them later.”I waited. I sighed when I heard nothing. But then—the door opened. My eyes widened at how he managed to open it when she locked it earlier.My heart dropped. “Wait—!” I gasped, instinctively reaching for the towel hanging on the rack.Sebastian didn’t look shocked or sorry. He stepped just inside, holding a folded set of clothes in one hand.“Next time,” he said coolly, “don’t go against my word”His gaze didn’t roam. He didn’t leer. But the way he stood—so composed, so unaffected—was somehow worse. I snatched the towel and wrapped it tightly around myself; my back pressed to the far wall.“I said I was fine,” I hissed.There was silence. I turned to go back to showering—until I heard the distinct click of the lock. The door creaked open. My heart slammed against my ribs. Sebastian stood in the doorway, his gaze sweepin