Chapter 4 she lay still

Alessandra woke to the muted glow of morning light spilling through the heavy drapes. For a moment, she lay still, the weight of reality settling over her. This wasn't a dream. She was now Alessandra Arquette, bound to a man who had made it clear he had no room for affection, only obligation.

She pushed back the silk covers and sat up, inhaling slowly. This is just another role. Play it well, and you survive.

A soft knock at the door made her tense.

"Come in."

A maid entered, her hands neatly folded before her. "Good morning, Mrs. Arquette."

Alessandra blinked at the name, foreign and unfamiliar. Mrs. Arquette. It felt strange on her skin, like a cloak she hadn't yet adjusted to.

"The master has requested your presence at breakfast," the maid continued. "It will be served in the garden."

Alessandra hesitated. Lucian requested her presence? She had assumed last night's conversation had set a clear precedent: they would exist in parallel, separate lives. Why summon her now?

She stood, smoothing her nightgown. "I'll be ready shortly."

Fifteen minutes later, Alessandra stepped onto the terrace overlooking the estate's private gardens. A long stone pathway led to an elegant wrought-iron table, where Lucian sat, his back to her. The crisp morning breeze rustled the ivy climbing the trellises, the scent of fresh roses lingering in the air.

The scene was beautiful. Deceptively peaceful.

She approached with measured steps, the heels of her shoes clicking against the stone.

Lucian didn't glance up as she took her seat across from him. "You're punctual."

"I assumed you wouldn't appreciate waiting."

He set his newspaper aside and finally met her gaze. "Smart."

A maid poured her tea, the quiet clink of porcelain the only sound between them.

Alessandra took a slow sip before speaking. "I was surprised by the invitation."

Lucian leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. "We have an announcement to make today. It's only appropriate that we are seen together before then."

Of course. This wasn't about them. It was about optics.

"Right." Alessandra placed her cup down, forcing a polite smile. "The perfect couple."

Lucian's lips twitched, almost amused. "Precisely."

She studied him as he turned his attention back to his plate. He was flawless in his control-every move, every word measured and deliberate. But Alessandra had always been good at noticing the cracks in people's masks.

And there it was-the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers flexed slightly against the silverware.

"You don't want to do this," she observed quietly.

Lucian's hand stilled for only a fraction of a second before he set his knife down. "What gave you that impression?"

Alessandra tilted her head. "A man who's truly indifferent wouldn't grip his fork like it's a weapon."

For the first time, something flickered behind his eyes. Not anger. Not amusement. Something deeper.

Intrigue.

"You read people well."

She gave a small shrug. "I've had practice."

A beat of silence passed before Lucian leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Since we're being honest, allow me to return the favor."

Alessandra held his gaze as he studied her, his expression unreadable.

"You don't want to be here either," he said smoothly. "But you've already accepted that fighting is pointless."

Her fingers curled against her lap, but she didn't deny it.

Lucian smirked. "Smart again."

Alessandra exhaled, reaching for her tea. "Tell me, Lucian. If I hadn't been the one chosen for this marriage, would you have fought it?"

Lucian's smirk faded. He picked up his glass of whiskey-whiskey, at this hour?-and took a slow sip.

Then, quietly, he said, "I stopped fighting a long time ago."

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver through her.

This man-so composed, so controlled-had once been someone who fought. But he didn't anymore. Because he had already lost.

Alessandra didn't know what unsettled her more-the resignation in his voice or the fact that she understood it.

Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them.

"Lucian."

Alessandra turned just as a woman approached, her heels clicking sharply against the stone. She was stunning-tall, poised, with sleek dark hair and piercing gray eyes that held a quiet authority.

Lucian's posture stiffened, though his expression remained neutral. "Mother."

Alessandra's stomach tightened. This was Isabella Arquette. The formidable matriarch of the Arquette family. And the woman who had ensured this marriage happened.

Isabella's gaze flickered to Alessandra, assessing. "I see the two of you are settling in."

Lucian's response was cool. "We are."

Alessandra met the woman's gaze evenly. She wouldn't cower. She had learned long ago that women like Isabella respected strength, not submission.

"Mrs. Arquette," Alessandra greeted smoothly. "A pleasure."

Isabella smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "The pleasure is mine. After all, it's not every day one gains a new daughter-in-law."

The words were pleasant, but Alessandra wasn't foolish enough to mistake them for warmth.

"I trust you understand your role here," Isabella continued, her gaze unwavering.

Lucian exhaled sharply. "Mother-"

"No need to coddle her, Lucian." Isabella's gaze never left Alessandra. "She's a smart girl, aren't you?"

Alessandra's nails dug into her palm, but she forced a polite smile. "Of course."

Isabella's lips curved ever so slightly, as if satisfied with the answer. "Good. Then I expect no complications."

Lucian's jaw clenched. "That's enough, Mother."

Isabella merely patted his shoulder, unconcerned. "I'll see you both at the announcement."

And with that, she turned and left.

The air between Alessandra and Lucian was thick with unspoken tension.

"She doesn't like me," Alessandra noted, her voice deceptively light.

Lucian exhaled. "She doesn't need to."

Alessandra picked up her tea again, hiding the smirk playing at her lips. "Well, at least we have something in common."

Lucian's eyes flicked to hers, and for the briefest moment, something close to amusement softened his features.

But it was gone in an instant.

Just like everything else about him.