Chapter 4 4

The kiss lingered on Lila's lips, though it had been barely more than a fleeting touch. She swallowed the lump in her throat as Dominic pulled away, his expression impassive, as if the kiss had been no more meaningful than signing his name on a contract.

The officiant congratulated them in a formal tone, and Dominic nodded curtly in response. He offered his arm to Lila, and she hesitated only for a second before slipping her hand through, feeling the solid, unyielding strength of him beneath her fingertips.

"Let's go," Dominic said quietly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Lila allowed him to guide her out of the courthouse, her heart heavy with the realization that she was now married to this man-this stranger. The air outside was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun, and the sounds of the bustling city greeted them. It was strange, how everything around them continued on as normal, while her life had just irrevocably changed.

A sleek black car was waiting for them at the curb, the driver standing at attention. Dominic didn't say a word as he helped her into the backseat before climbing in beside her. The door shut with a soft click, sealing them inside the quiet, luxurious space.

Lila stared out the window as the car pulled away from the courthouse, the city passing by in a blur. She felt numb, her mind struggling to process the enormity of what had just happened. The man sitting next to her was now her husband, but there was no joy, no excitement, no love. Just a suffocating sense of duty and obligation.

"I'll take you to your new home," Dominic said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, detached. "We have an appearance tomorrow at a charity gala. You'll need to look the part."

"Right," Lila murmured, her gaze still fixed on the passing buildings. "Of course."

The reality of her situation was sinking in, each word from Dominic reinforcing just how transactional this marriage was. She wasn't his wife in any meaningful sense-she was simply a pawn in whatever game he was playing.

The car wound through the streets of Los Angeles, taking them away from the bustling heart of the city and into a quieter, more exclusive area. The houses here were enormous, their sprawling lawns and gated entrances screaming of wealth and privilege. Lila's stomach churned as they approached a sleek, modern mansion at the end of a long driveway. This was her new home.

Dominic didn't offer any words of welcome as the car stopped in front of the house. He simply opened the door and stepped out, waiting for her to follow. Lila took a deep breath and climbed out after him, her heels clicking softly on the stone path as she followed him to the front door.

The interior of the house was as cold and imposing as its exterior. Everything was pristine and immaculate, the sharp angles of the furniture and the minimalist décor creating a space that felt more like a museum than a home. There was no warmth here, no sense of comfort or belonging.

Dominic walked ahead of her, his long strides purposeful as he led her through the grand foyer and into a spacious living room. He stopped in the center of the room and turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

"This is your home now," he said simply. "You'll have everything you need here."

Lila glanced around the room, taking in the expensive artwork on the walls, the designer furniture, the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the perfectly manicured garden. It was all so beautiful, so perfect-and yet it felt utterly empty.

"Thank you," she said quietly, not knowing what else to say.

Dominic's eyes flickered over her, and for a moment, Lila thought she saw a hint of something-something deeper than the cold detachment he always wore. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the same steely gaze she had come to expect from him.

"I'll have my assistant send over a schedule for tomorrow," he said, already turning away from her. "Make sure you're prepared."

And with that, he left the room, disappearing down the hallway without another word.

Lila stood there for a moment, feeling the silence of the house settle around her like a weight. She had known this marriage would be difficult, that it wouldn't be like the fairy tales she had once dreamed of, but she hadn't anticipated just how isolating it would feel. The coldness of the house mirrored the coldness of her new husband, and she couldn't help but wonder how long she would be able to endure it.

She wandered through the house in a daze, taking in the luxury of her surroundings, but none of it brought her any comfort. The rooms were beautiful, yes, but they were also lifeless. There were no personal touches, no signs that anyone actually lived here. It was as if Dominic had built a fortress to keep the world-and anyone who might get too close-at bay.

Eventually, she found her way to the master bedroom, where a large bed with crisp white sheets awaited her. A gown for the gala tomorrow was already laid out on a nearby chair, another reminder of the role she was expected to play.

Lila sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the gown as exhaustion washed over her. She had no idea what her future with Dominic would hold, but one thing was certain-she would need to be strong to survive in his world.

She lay back on the bed, her eyes drifting closed as the events of the day caught up with her. The weight of her new reality pressed down on her, and for the first time since agreeing to this marriage, Lila allowed herself to cry. The tears came slowly at first, then faster, until she was sobbing into the pillow, her body shaking with the force of it.

She cried for the life she had left behind, for the love she would never have, and for the man she had married who saw her as nothing more than a tool in his plan for revenge. She cried for the uncertainty of her future and for the fact that she had no idea how she was going to survive it.

When the tears finally subsided, Lila felt hollow, drained. She wiped her eyes and forced herself to sit up, determined not to let the despair consume her. This was her life now, and she would have to find a way to navigate it.

She stood and walked over to the large windows that overlooked the garden, the last light of the day casting a soft glow over the landscape. In the distance, she could see the city lights beginning to twinkle as night fell.

This world, Dominic's world, was cold and unforgiving, but Lila knew she had to find a way to endure it. She would play the role she had agreed to, but she wouldn't lose herself in the process. She would survive.