One big couch, along with two chairs, sits in the middle, and a small round table between them holds a vase of roses and two teacups. In the right corner is a small fridge stocked with various cold drinks and water, while above it is a small table with a teapot and a coffee machine. There are snacks from nuts to chips to candies inside the box beside them.
A fireplace in the left corner is perfect for cozy, rainy days, and my cheeks heat at the mattress lying in front of it because certain images start to play in my head.
The huge window lets the sun in, brightening everything around us, and as I walk toward it, I drink in the view that’s magic in itself.
The garden is magnificent from up here, and I had no idea how vast the property actually is.
“Orion, how did you do this?”
Everything seems so fresh and new around here, so I know his mother didn’t furnish it.
A fluffy white rug covers the concrete floor beneath us, and my eyes travel up the small stairs to a sort of second-floor balcony where endless bookshelves stand.
Tons and tons of books.
I quickly rush to one of them, tracing the old editions that probably belonged to some collectors. I snag one of them, coughing as dust flies up when I flip it open and read the contents. “How did you get this?” It’s one of the first editions about ancient myths. I wasn’t even sure they still existed out in the world. Going to the banister, I lean on it and stare at my husband, who just grins. “What did you do?”
“I figured if my wife loved books so much, I should get some for her.”
“So you bought them all? I like modern literature too, you know.” I look around again, reading the titles, and some sound familiar. “You brought the books from my library here as well?”
“Only your favorite ones. Psyche helped me with that.” My best friend sure knows how to be sneaky because she didn’t tell me anything about it. To be fair, I never shared the truth about my marriage with her either. “I ordered to put all the others away until we are done with all the renovations, which might take years. They’re stored in a secure location, so they won't be damaged. Once the building is back to its former glory, you can have your public library and pump as much money into it as you want. Whatever makes you happy, darling.”
My heartbeat speeds up at this admission. I was so worried about all my books and wondered what to do with them afterhearing about the building, but he had already handled all that. Is this how it feels to have someone in your life you can lean on?
Finally finding my words, I say, “You didn’t have to do that.” And he wants to help with the renovations too? I think I might combust from happiness.
“The library makes you happy, and anything that makes you happy has to be protected by me.” Pressing the book to my chest, I just gape at him, hoping I won’t swoon and fall over the banister all the way to the first floor. “It was also your safe place, and I don’t want you to be a prisoner in our home.” He goes toward the small table, and that’s when I notice a folder lying on it. He takes out some papers and shakes them in the air. “That’s why this property is my wedding gift to you.”
The book drops from my hand, and I quickly pick it up and put it back in its place before rushing down the stairs and moving closer to him. “What?”
“I think it’s perfect for you. We still need to win the lawsuit, but it’s a formality at this point. This document states that the minute the deed is transferred to me, it automatically becomes yours legally to do whatever you want with it.” A beat passes. “I think it’s perfect for you. You can read and write in here.”
Not even bothering to question how he knows about my writing on the side, I hiss, “Have you lost your mind, Orion? That’s your family legacy!”
He unbuttons his vest. “And you’re my wife. The property will remain my family legacy, even if it belongs to you.”
“You can’t gift it to me. This property is the reason we’re even married.”
The energy in the room shifts at once, becoming tense and charged with something deep and disturbing that oddly awakens every nerve ending in my body in anticipation of something dark. “I told you last night to think long and hard before becoming mine because there would be no going back.”He removes his vest and throws it on the couch, then puts the document away and picks up another one. “This is our contract and prenup.” He rips it in two to my loud gasp, and I rush to him as he drops the pieces on the floor. “They’re null and void.”
“Orion!” I exclaim, terrified and excited at the same time because I forgot what it’s like to hope. It’s better to be prepared for the worst rather than have your heart crushed over and over again. “This is a legally binding contract protecting your assets!”
“Not anymore.” He taps on another paper in the folder and takes it out next. “I’ve also created a special bank account where I deposited the money promised to you per our marriage contract. I have no access to it and never will. Along with some family shares in the business.” While all of this information is too much, his next words freeze me to the spot. “I paid all your grandmother’s bills. She won’t need anything as long as she lives and will get the best care.”
“So it was you? Not my father.” A hollow laugh rumbles in my throat, sounding cold even to my own ears. “Of course it’s not him. How could I ever think he’d keep his end of the deal?” My father probably never intended to take care of Grandmother anyway. He was just using her to make me complicit in his plan, and like a naive idiot, I believed him. “I’m a fool.”
“No, you’re mine.” He catches my hand and pulls me to him, our chests bumping against each other’s as he threads his fingers in my hair, tipping my chin up. “No one is allowed to call my wife names, not even you, Diana.”
The organ in my chest squeezes, and with a sigh, I press my forehead against his, closing my eyes and inhaling his scent, which soothes all my wounds, as his presence alone calms me. “Why are you doing all this, Orion? What does it mean?” My fingers curl on his shirt. “I don’t understand.”
Guarding my heart has always been my job. I had to be cautious. I wouldn’t have survived my childhood, and that’swhy, even after last night, no matter what he said…I need him to be very clear.
“They’ve done a number on you, haven’t they?” He brushes his thumb over my lips, and his mouth curves in a smile that doesn’t reach his heat-filled eyes. “They’ll have to pay for that.” I don’t have time to dwell on his angry words as he continues, awakening all my hopes at once, and like a moth mesmerized by a flame, I drift toward him. “I want this marriage to be permanent. I’ve never wanted anyone as my own but you. I can’t think, I can’t sleep, and I sure as fuck can’t function without you anymore.”
“We hardly know each other.” Wouldn’t people say we rushed into things?
We’re already married, though, so what people think doesn’t matter. Also, it’s not like we’re exchanging love confessions right now.
