Chapter 5 The ice between us

Chapter Five: The Ice Between Us

Morning arrived too soon.

Elena awoke to the warm touch of sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, she didn't know where she was-until she sat up and took in the lavish guest suite, the high-priced furniture, the grandeur of the room.

Right. She was at Alexander Vaughn's estate.

Her new home.

The epiphany sent a strange shiver down her spine. She had expected to wake up feeling a sense of relief that her mother's medical bills no longer burdened her, but all she felt was. hollow.

There was a knock at the door, making her jump.

"Mrs. Vaughn?" a voice called out.

It took Elena a second to realize they were speaking to each other. Mrs. Vaughn. She wasn't used to the title.

"Come in," she said hesitantly.

The creaking door opened and Mrs. Hastings entered with a warm, gentle smile. "Good morning, dear. Breakfast is ready. Lily awaits you."

Elena's heart softened.

She dressed hastily, choosing a simple yet lovely pale-blue dress from the expensive new wardrobe Alexander had stocked with things for her. Wearing something so opulent felt unusual, but she no longer had a choice.

She was no longer just Elena Carter. She was Mrs. Alexander Vaughn-albeit in name alone.

-

As she entered the dining room, the scene was almost enough to make her laugh.

Lily was seated at the giant table, her small body lost beneath the behemoth chair. She kicked her legs against the leg of the table, a cheerful smile on her face when she saw Elena.

"Lena!"

Elena smiled. "Morning, darling."

Lily pat the chair beside her eagerly. "Sit next to me!"

Elena didn't waste any time, but when she pulled out her chair, she found herself confronted by Alexander's gaze from the opposite side of the table.

He was already sitting, his face impassive in a well-cut black suit, his eyes fixed on hers.

"Good morning," she said cautiously.

"Morning," he replied abruptly.

Tension descended between them like a transparency screen.

Elena tried to ignore it as she glanced at Lily, happily munching on strawberries.

"Guess what, Lena?" said the little girl with a mouth full of food.

Elena grinned. "What?"

"Daddy is taking me to the park today!" Lily beamed proudly.

Elena's eyes opened in shock. "Oh? That sounds like fun."

Lily nodded energetically, then turned to Alexander. "Lena should come too!"

Elena's breath caught.

Alexander stiffened, fork paused in mid-air.

"Lily," he started, his voice firm but not unkind. "Elena might have other plans to attend to today."

Lily pouted, her big blue eyes cutting to Elena. "Are you busy?"

Elena faltered, her gaze flicking to Alexander.

Before she had a chance to respond, Alexander laid down his silverware with a sigh.

"Fine," he grunted. "If she wants to leave, she can."

Lily squealed, pumping her hands.

Elena, though, wasn't quite sure that she'd just won something-or jumped headfirst into the deep end.

-

The park was surprisingly serene for a Saturday morning.

Lily ran on ahead, laughing, her giggles ringing in the air as she pursued butterflies.

Elena lingered beside Alexander, the silence between them stretching uncomfortably.

"You didn't have to acquiesce, you know," he said curtly.

Elena glanced at him. "Acquiesce to what?"

"Coming here." His tone was dry. "You don't need to play the doting wife when no one's watching."

Her stomach twisted.

She ought to be immune to his coldness by now, but it still stung.

"I'm here for Lily," she replied calmly.

Alexander's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Elena released a breath of frustration. "You don't need to keep pretending I'm some unwanted presence in your life, Alexander. I know what this marriage is. You don't need to remind me every other second."

His eyes flashed with something unguessable before he turned away.

"It's better this way," he whispered.

Elena clenched her fists, watching as Lily rushed over to them, a flower in her hand.

She had voluntarily signed this agreement.

But here, by the side of the man who would not lower his defenses, she was thinking of how much longer she could remain a convenient stranger in his life.