Chapter 2 2

The air in Grayson's penthouse was cooler than Jade had anticipated. The glass windows that stretched from floor to ceiling offered a panoramic view of the city, but all Jade could focus on was the emptiness she felt walking into this pristine, unfamiliar world. The place was a reflection of its owner-elegant, sleek, and detached. No warmth. No sign of life.

Grayson led the way, his sharp suit making him appear even more imposing than she had initially thought. He was tall, his movements precise, almost mechanical, as though he had perfected the art of being in control. Jade followed him into a spacious living room where the minimalistic furniture matched the overall theme of the place-cold, clinical, and too perfect to be comfortable.

"Make yourself at home," Grayson said, his voice low but polite. He didn't offer to help her with the small suitcase in her hand.

Jade set the suitcase down by the door, her mind spinning. What had she done? Signing the marriage contract had been a decision born of desperation, but the weight of it was settling on her shoulders with every step she took into this empty, sterile apartment. There was no warmth here. No welcome. No promise of happiness. Just a cold, businesslike arrangement that would keep them both safe in a world of expectations and lies.

She forced herself to breathe evenly. The deal was simple, right? She would fulfill her part of the contract-be his wife in name only, stay out of his way, and keep up appearances. No emotions. No intimacy. Just business.

Grayson turned to her then, his face unreadable. "I'll have someone show you to your room. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry. I'll be in my office if you need anything."

Jade nodded quietly, unsure of what to say. The silence between them was thick, heavy with unspoken truths. She didn't want to know what kind of life Grayson had lived to make him so distant, but a part of her couldn't stop wondering.

Without another word, Grayson walked down the hallway, disappearing behind the door to what Jade assumed was his office. She stood there for a moment longer, letting the reality of the situation settle over her. This was her new life now. She had signed away any right to question what Grayson wanted or how their 'marriage' would work. The only thing she could do was survive it.

The sound of footsteps broke her out of her reverie. A woman entered the room, dressed in a simple but elegant black uniform. She was in her thirties, with dark brown hair pulled back into a neat ponytail and a calm expression on her face.

"Good evening, Mrs. Westbrook. I'm Rosa, the housekeeper. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

Jade smiled faintly. She was grateful for the kindness in the woman's voice. "Thank you. I'm just getting settled in."

Rosa nodded, her eyes flicking toward the suitcase by the door. "I'll take care of that for you. Let me show you to your room."

Without waiting for an answer, Rosa picked up the suitcase and led Jade down the hallway. The rooms were spacious, each one designed with the same minimalist aesthetic that dominated the entire apartment. The walls were a neutral gray, and the furniture was modern, sleek, and void of any personal touches. It felt like a hotel room, not a home.

Rosa opened the door to a large bedroom and gestured for Jade to enter. "This will be your room for the time being. If there's anything you need, please let me know."

Jade stepped inside, her eyes sweeping across the room. It was beautiful-too beautiful, almost. The bed was king-sized with pristine white linens, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city below. But none of it mattered. None of it felt real. It was just another layer of the facade that Grayson had built around his life. Everything about this place screamed control.

"Thank you, Rosa," Jade said quietly. She didn't know what else to say. The overwhelming sense of being an outsider in her own life was too much to process.

Rosa gave her a warm smile before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Jade sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. Was this really happening? She was married to a man she barely knew, living in his cold, lifeless home, and expected to pretend that everything was fine. That everything was normal.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, though she wasn't sure who it could be.

The door opened to reveal Grayson, standing in the doorway with a glass of water in his hand. His expression remained impassive, his eyes flicking briefly to her before he stepped inside.

"I thought you might want some water," he said, his voice still detached. "Is everything okay?"

Jade nodded, taking the glass from him. "It's fine. Thank you."

Grayson studied her for a moment, as if trying to gauge her reaction. "I know this must feel strange. It's not what you expected, and I won't pretend to make it easier. But you'll find that this arrangement benefits both of us."

The words felt rehearsed, like something he had said a thousand times before. Jade didn't respond immediately, unsure of how to navigate the conversation. She had agreed to the deal, but the reality of it felt suffocating.

"You don't have to worry about anything," Grayson continued, his tone steady. "You'll have everything you need. Your life here will be... simple. No complications. I won't interfere with your space, and you don't need to involve yourself in mine unless necessary."

Jade stared at him, the cool distance in his gaze making her feel small. "And what do you expect from me?" she asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended.

Grayson's lips twitched into the slightest of smiles. "I expect you to play the role of a wife. Attend family gatherings. Keep up appearances. That's all. Nothing more. We don't have to pretend to love each other. This isn't about love. It's about practicality."

Jade swallowed hard, her heart beating faster at the coldness in his voice. The idea of pretending to be someone's wife was already harder than she had anticipated. There were no emotions involved. No tenderness. No affection. Just two people playing a part for the sake of their reputations.

"And if I don't want to follow the rules?" Jade asked, testing the waters.

Grayson's gaze turned cold, his expression hardening. "Then you're free to leave. But I suggest you don't. This arrangement is better than anything else you'll find right now."

The weight of his words sank in. He wasn't giving her a choice. She had signed the contract, and now she was bound to it.

Jade took a deep breath, standing up from the bed. "I'll keep my end of the deal," she said quietly.

Grayson nodded, his eyes briefly softening. "Good. I knew I could count on you."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Jade to her thoughts.

The door clicked shut, and Jade was alone again.

Her mind raced as she looked out the window, the city lights twinkling below. A life that once felt so full of possibilities had now become a cage of her own making. She had given up everything for this deal-her freedom, her dignity, her future-and now she was trapped in a marriage that was nothing more than a transaction.

But there was something else, too. A lingering thought in the back of her mind that she couldn't quite shake.

What if there was more to Grayson than the cold, emotionless man who stood before her? What if, deep down, he was as broken as she was?

If he was, could they find a way to heal together, or would their broken pieces destroy each other in the end?