Chapter 3 The vow

Sienna's POV

The vows had been spoken and the rings exchanged. The kiss a cold brush of lips that barely lasted a second.

Now, I was alone with him.

The inside of the car was silent, filled only with the low hum of the engine and the weight of the inevitable. I kept my gaze locked on the window, watching the city lights blur as we left behind everything I had ever known.

I should have been terrified. Instead, I was furious.

I had spent my whole life under my father's control, but this? This was the cruelest betrayal of all.

The car rolled to a stop. A cold breath of wind slipped through the open door as the driver stepped out to open it for me.

I didn't move. Not until I heard his door open, the weight of his presence shifting as he stepped out.

I forced myself to move, heels clicking against the pavement as I lifted my gaze.

The mansion before me was breathtaking in the worst way.

Dark stone, towering walls, and a wrought-iron gate that looked more like the entrance to a prison than a home. The structure was elegant, but the air around it was heavy yet suffocating.

I didn't need to step inside to know that happiness had never lived here.

Luca didn't offer his hand. Didn't even glance at me.

He simply strode forward, expecting me to follow.

I didn't.

I stood frozen, arms crossed, letting the icy wind bite at my skin.

His steps slowed. He turned just enough to meet my gaze, his expression unreadable.

I'm not some pet you can drag inside, I said, voice sharp.

Something flickered in his dark eyes, amusement.

No, dolcezza, His voice was smooth, but there was steel beneath it you're my wife.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run.

Instead, I forced my feet to move, my legs stiff as I followed him inside.

The mansion was worse on the inside.

It was beautiful, yes towering ceilings, elegant chandeliers, halls lined with priceless paintings but it was empty and cold.

A place built for war, not love.

My stomach twisted.

I had grown up surrounded by power, but at least my childhood home had held warmth, however false it had been.

But here? There was nothing, just silence.

A staff of people stood in the grand foyer, their eyes carefully lowered as Luca removed his jacket and handed it off without a word.

He didn't introduce me didn't acknowledge the way the staff subtly glanced at me before returning to their duties.

I wasn't important enough. Heat flooded my veins.

Fine.

If he wanted to treat me like nothing more than a pawn, then I would play the part.

But he would regret it.

Luca's POV

She thought she could fight me. I had seen defiance before, but Sienna Alejandro was different.

She didn't cower, didn't let fear guide her movements.

She stood at the edge of the driveway like a queen refusing to kneel, chin tilted, eyes burning with the same hatred I had seen in men who wanted me dead.

I should have been annoyed.

Instead, I was intrigued.

I turned without a word and stepped inside.

Seconds later, the sharp click of her heels followed.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips.

She could hate me all she wanted.

She had still followed.

The house was silent as we walked through the halls. I could feel her eyes moving over every detail, cataloging, analyzing and looking for weaknesses.

I led her upstairs, stopping in front of our bedroom.

She hesitated in the doorway.

Her gaze swept over the space dark, modern, luxurious but then her eyes landed on the bed.

Her body went rigid. There's only one, she said, voice tight.

I leaned against the frame watching her, observant I said.

She turned to glare at me. I want another room.

No, her jaw clenched excuse me?

I pushed off the frame, stepping into her space. Not touching, not threatening just reminding her who was in control.

You will sleep in this room, I said, my voice calm. Whether you like it or not.

Her hands curled into fists. I will never be yours.

I tilted my head, studying her.

She was lying.

Maybe she believed it. Maybe she wanted it to be true.

But I saw the way her pulse skipped in her throat.

The way she swallowed too quickly.

The way she refused to look at the bed again.

Then why do you look so afraid? I murmured.

Her breath hitched.

For just a second, something flickered in her gaze something raw. Something vulnerable. Then it was gone.

She turned on her heel and stormed past me, heading for the closet.

I let her go.

She thought she had won this round.

But she had no idea.

This wasn't a battle.

It was a war.

And she had already lost.