Chapter 2 The First Night

The taxi ride from the registry office to Adrian's mansion was quiet.

I sat in the backseat, staring out the window at the city lights. My hands were clammy, my heart pounding with a strange mixture of fear and anticipation. Just hours ago, I had been a young woman with my own small life-now I was a wife. To a man I barely knew.

Adrian sat beside me in the driver's seat, his posture perfect, his eyes focused on the road. I wanted to say something, to break the silence, but the words died in my throat.

"Don't worry," he said finally, his voice calm and low. "Tonight will be simple. You'll have your room, your privacy. Nothing will happen you don't want."

I swallowed hard. His voice... there was a quiet authority in it, but also a strange softness that made my chest ache.

When we arrived at the mansion, it was even bigger than I had imagined. Marble floors gleamed under warm chandeliers. A grand staircase curved like a river of ivory, and the air smelled faintly of roses.

"Your room," Adrian said, opening a door to a softly lit bedroom. "I'll be in the study. If you need anything, call me."

I nodded silently. I wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go. Not tonight. Not with the hospital bills, not with my mother depending on me.

I walked inside and closed the door, my hands shaking. The bed was neatly made, the sheets soft and inviting, yet I could not bring myself to lie down immediately. I perched on the edge, trying to steady my racing heart.

Minutes passed. I heard footsteps in the hall, and Adrian appeared in the doorway. He didn't enter, didn't force conversation. He simply stood there, quiet, respectful.

"You'll sleep well here," he said. "Everything is prepared. I wanted to make sure you're comfortable."

I glanced up at him, my throat tight. "Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded once, his expression unreadable, and left.

For the first time, I allowed myself to breathe. And then the tears came. Quiet, soft, shaking tears that I thought I had buried long ago.

I thought about my mother, about the life I had left behind. About the strange twist of fate that had brought me to a mansion filled with luxury-and a man I did not yet understand.

Hours later, I finally fell asleep, exhausted from the emotional whirlwind.

The next morning, sunlight poured through the large curtains. I woke to the scent of fresh coffee and something baked. Adrian was in the kitchen, wearing a crisp shirt, looking every bit the man I had thought untouchable.

He turned when he heard me stir. "Morning," he said simply.

"Morning," I replied, my voice hoarse.

"I made breakfast. You should eat."

I hesitated, then nodded. Sitting at the dining table, I noticed the care he had taken. Two cups of steaming coffee. Toast lightly browned. Fresh fruit neatly sliced.

"You... you didn't have to," I said quietly.

He shrugged, pouring the coffee. "I want to. I don't like seeing you struggle, Elena. You've already given so much for your family."

I looked at him, really looked. Behind the calm, composed exterior, there was... kindness. A gentleness I hadn't expected.

"Thank you," I said again, feeling warmth spread across my chest.

He simply nodded and turned back to his coffee.

Over the next few days, life settled into a strange rhythm. I continued my work to pay my mother's hospital bills, and Adrian gave me space-never forcing conversation, never overstepping boundaries. But his presence was constant, comforting in a way I didn't fully understand.

One evening, as we sat in the living room, he handed me a book.

"For you," he said simply. "I thought you might like it."

It was a collection of poetry. I smiled softly, surprised.

"I... I like poetry," I admitted.

He nodded, settling into the armchair opposite me. "I thought so. You seem like someone who notices the little things."

I blushed faintly, looking down. There was something about the way he spoke-quiet, sincere-that made my heart ache with emotions I wasn't ready to name.

For the first time since this marriage began, I felt... safe.

Safe.

And as I closed the book that night, I whispered to myself:

Maybe this marriage won't be as unbearable as I thought... maybe... just maybe... love can grow where I least expect it.