Chapter 4 A Marriage Of Conditions

Mireya woke to silence.

For a second, she forgot where she was.

Then it hit her.

Ashcroft estate.

Marriage.

The photograph.

She sat up slowly. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating a room that was flawless-and unfamiliar.

Her husband's house.

The word still felt wrong.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter," she said.

A maid stepped inside. "Good morning, Mrs. Ashcroft. Mr. Ashcroft requests your presence in the dining hall."

Mrs. Ashcroft.

The title settled uneasily.

Ronan was already seated when she entered.

Dark suit. Black coffee. Tablet in hand.

Controlled.

"You're late," he said without looking up.

"I didn't know there was a schedule."

"There is now."

She sat opposite him.

He placed the tablet down.

"Let's clarify our arrangement."

Her pulse slowed deliberately.

"This marriage exists for stability. Until your sister is found, we remain publicly united."

"And privately?" she asked.

"We coexist."

The word was precise. Final.

"You will not speak to the press. You will not contact anyone about the investigation. Your movements will be monitored."

"This is wrong."

"You benefited from her disappearance."

"I lost my sister."

"You gained my name."

The air shifted.

"I didn't ask for it," she said quietly.

"No," he agreed. "But you're wearing it."

Silence stretched.

"You will attend events beside me," he continued. "You will present unity. If you undermine that..."

He didn't finish the sentence.

He didn't need to.

Later, Mireya stepped into the gardens.

She needed space.

The hedges were perfectly trimmed. The air too still. Even the beauty felt controlled.

"Mrs. Ashcroft?"

She turned.

A man approached, well dressed, composed.

"Adrian Cole," he said. "Ronan's legal advisor."

She remembered him from the wedding.

"I wanted to welcome you," Adrian added. "The Ashcroft world can be... difficult."

There was genuine warmth in his tone.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"You didn't deserve to be placed in this."

Before she could respond...

"I don't recall authorizing private conversations with my wife."

Ronan's voice cut through the air.

Adrian straightened immediately. "My apologies."

"You're dismissed."

Adrian left without argument.

Mireya faced Ronan. "You don't control who I speak to."

"I control access to this estate."

"I'm not property."

His eyes darkened.

"No," he said evenly. "You're responsibility."

The distinction didn't comfort her.

That afternoon, back in her room, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

She hesitated... then answered.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Then a familiar voice.

"Mireya... is it true?"

Her breath caught.

"Lucas?"

Her first love. The one who saw her when no one else did.

"I heard about the wedding," he said quietly. "Tell me you're okay."

"I'm not."

"Then leave."

She closed her eyes. "It's not that simple."

"I'm coming back," he said. "You won't face this alone."

"Lucas, don't..."

The line disconnected.

Her heart pounded.

A slow clap echoed behind her.

She froze.

Ronan stood in the doorway.

"How nostalgic," he said calmly.

"You were listening?"

"I was confirming something."

"Lucas is from my past."

"And he seems very invested in your present."

"It's not what you think."

"It rarely is," he replied.

He stepped closer.

"If he interferes with this marriage... I will remove the interference."

The threat was quiet. Controlled.

More dangerous that way.

His phone rang.

He answered without looking away from her.

"Yes."

His expression shifted.

"Where was it found?"

Mireya's pulse spiked.

He ended the call slowly.

"What happened?" she whispered.

"They located a vehicle."

Her chest tightened.

"Whose?"

He held her gaze.

"Your sister's car."

The room tilted.

"And inside it..."

A beat of silence.

"...there was blood."