Chapter 3

The next morning, I woke before Arjun, a habit ingrained from years of early starts and a restless mind. The sofa was surprisingly comfortable, but the grand bed, still empty, loomed large in the expansive room. I checked my phone. No notifications. No messages from Arjun. I needed to establish some ground rules, starting with public perception.

I walked over to his side of the bed, where his phone lay on the nightstand. I picked it up, unlocking it with the fingerprint access I'd observed him using. A quick scroll through his social media revealed a stark landscape of business news, financial updates, and the occasional perfectly curated, impersonal photo of a corporate event. No personal posts, no casual updates. His online presence was as meticulously controlled as his demeanor.

I typed out a brief, professional caption: "A new chapter begins. Celebrating with my husband, Arjun Becker." I attached a tasteful, slightly blurry photo from last night's reception – one where we stood side-by-side, me smiling, him looking stoic, but undeniably with me. It conveyed unity without being overtly intimate. Then, I posted it to his private account, knowing the media would pick it up quickly.

He needs a public image. I need to be seen as his partner. This is purely business. I reaffirmed my resolve. He barely posted, so this would stand out, a clear signal.

I left his phone where I found it, slipping back to my sofa-bed. I was still Ellie Wolf, for now. My independence was the prize.

A soft knock on the door startled me from my thoughts. Arjun, dressed in tailored athletic wear, stood there, a faint sheen of sweat on his brow. He must have just finished a workout. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his muscles defined beneath the fabric. He was an impressive physical specimen, a stark contrast to Curtis's softer, more slender frame. Curtis had always preferred late nights and expensive cocktails to early morning runs.

"Up already?" Arjun's voice was a low rumble, devoid of emotion. He was already alert, radiating a quiet intensity. He looked at me, then at the sofa, then back at me. "My phone. Did you...?"

"Posted a picture," I finished for him, my voice calm. "For public consumption. To solidify our 'united front.' I hope that's acceptable, husband." The word felt foreign on my tongue.

He merely nodded, a slight curve to his lips, almost a ghost of a smile. "Efficient. Good. Get dressed. We're having breakfast out." He turned, heading for the bathroom. "And don't look at me like that."

My cheeks flushed. Had he noticed my lingering gaze? My internal monologue was already analyzing his motives. Breakfast out. Public. A calculated move to counter the whispers from last night. He was playing his part, and he expected me to play mine.

I chose a modest but elegant dress, the fabric a rich, deep blue that complemented my fair skin. A simple pearl necklace, a discreet watch. Nothing flashy, nothing that would draw undue attention, yet perfectly suited for my new status as Mrs. Becker. I looked in the mirror, a stranger staring back. I was no longer the naive girl who had been broken by betrayal. I was a woman on a mission.

When I emerged, Arjun was waiting. He wore a dark, impeccably tailored suit, his hair neatly combed. He looked every inch the powerful magnate, his presence commanding. He glanced at my outfit, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He said nothing, simply offered a curt nod, then turned and led the way out.

The restaurant was one of the city's most exclusive, hushed and opulent. As we were escorted to our table, Arjun's hand subtly found the small of my back, a proprietorial gesture that was both unexpected and surprisingly firm. It wasn't a romantic touch, but a public declaration. She is mine. Back off.

The thought, clear as day, echoed in my mind. It was his thought. A cold, possessive statement, stripped of any affection, but undeniably effective. He wasn't doing this for me, or for us. He was doing it for image, for control. And I, as his temporary wife, was a part of that image.

A faint sense of satisfaction bloomed within me. He saw my value, my usefulness. This was exactly what I wanted. To be seen as an asset, not a burden. To be respected for my mind, not for my beauty or my vulnerability. I would use his resources, his power, to catapult myself towards my own goals. This was a transaction, and I intended to make a substantial profit.

As the waiter poured our coffee, I leaned forward slightly. "Arjun," I began, my voice low, "I've been reviewing the initial merger proposals. While the financial projections are sound, I believe there's a significant untapped market we're overlooking for the Wolf Industries' AI division, especially in consumer-facing applications."

He paused, his coffee cup midway to his lips. His dark eyes met mine, a flicker of genuine interest there. "Elaborate."

"Our current focus is B2B," I explained, warming to my subject. "But with minor adaptations, our core AI could revolutionize home automation and personal assistants. Imagine a truly intuitive system, something beyond what's currently available. The market for premium smart home technology is exploding. We could position ourselves as the unparalleled leader." I outlined a rapid-fire series of marketing strategies, potential partnerships, and revenue streams, pulling figures and projections from memory.

He listened, his expression impassive, but his stillness conveyed an intense focus. When I finished, the silence stretched, punctuated only by the gentle clinking of cutlery from other tables.

"You came prepared," he finally said, a hint of something that might have been admiration in his tone.

"I always do," I replied, meeting his gaze.

He nodded slowly. "I agree with your assessment. The consumer market is ripe for disruption. And our current B2B strategy is too narrow. I'll give you a week. Develop a comprehensive business plan for this new division. Show me the numbers, the logistics, the marketing strategy. If you can impress me, I'll allocate resources. Full autonomy."

My heart leaped. This was it. My chance. "You won't regret it."

"I rarely do," he said, taking a sip of his coffee. A faint smile touched his lips, a rare sight. It was almost... a challenge.

As if on cue, a prominent industrialist and his wife approached our table. "Arjun, my dear fellow! And this must be the beautiful bride! Congratulations!"

Arjun rose, pulling out my chair for me. His hand rested on my back again, a subtle but firm gesture. "Ellie, this is Mr. Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery, my wife, Ellie Becker."

He introduced me with a pride I hadn't expected, his gaze meeting mine for a fleeting instant, a silent acknowledgment of our charade. I smiled, extended my hand gracefully, and played the part of the devoted, charming wife, engaging in polite conversation, heralding the bright future of the Becker-Wolf conglomerate. We were a united front, a seamless, powerful pair.

Later, as we drove away, I felt a strange mix of emotions. A flicker of guilt for the subtle deception, for playing this role. But then, it was quickly overshadowed by a fierce determination. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about proving my worth, to him, to my family, to myself. It was about building something real, for me, with the resources he was offering.

She looks too pleased with herself. She thinks she's won. But I saw the way Curtis looked at her.

The thought jolted me. It was Essie Becker, sitting in her car across the street, watching us drive away. Her eyes, narrowed slightly, were fixed on our retreating car. This arrangement is fragile. It will only last if she proves herself truly worthy.

My small triumph cooled. Essie was a formidable ally, but also a demanding one. I had to continue proving myself, day in and day out. My worth, my place, was constantly being evaluated.

Back at the mansion, as I started sketching out my business plan, my mind kept replaying the morning. Arjun' s unexpected pride, Essie' s watchful gaze. This wasn' t just a contract; it was an audition. And I had to ace it.

Hours later, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The day had been productive, exhilarating. I was on the cusp of something new, something powerful.

Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of the city, Chloe sat hunched by a window, watching the sunset, a half-empty glass of wine in her hand. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow, still bearing the faint bruise of her public humiliation.

Curtis paced the room, his jaw tight. Useless. She's a liability. Embarrassing me like that. His internal monologue was a torrent of contempt. "You ruined everything today, Chloe," he snarled, his charm completely gone. "The way you carried on at the wedding, then at breakfast, drawing all that attention! Do you have any idea how much damage that does to my reputation? To our plans?" She's a fool. I should have picked Ellie when I had the chance. She at least has a brain. This flighty idiocy will be her downfall. And mine, if I' m not careful.

He grabbed her arm, his grip bruising. "You need to get it together. Or you'll find yourself out on the street. Do you understand?" His voice was low, menacing. The man who had charmed me, betrayed me, and was now manipulating my cousin, was showing his true colors behind closed doors. And Chloe, trapped by her own choices, by her desperate need for his validation, could only nod, tears silently streaming down her face.