Chapter 3 A WORLD OF HIS OWN

"Leila," Lorenzo greeted her flatly. "You are back early" .He paused and pulled Natalie closer. "meet my new wife, " a mischievous smile " Natalie Grimaldi Now officially De Luca". Natalie cringed searching his face. There was no way he wouldn't know. Or was he pretending?

Leila's eyes swept over her, the way a snake studies a trapped mouse. Her lips curled into something between a smile and a sneer.

" she's your wife? " A scoff " Now you are joking right?"

Lorenzo cocked a brow.

"it's not a prank. She's my wife now, conquered in what was quite a conquest" He grinned.

Natalie couldn't believe her ears. She had to be dreaming right? First was a hostile takeover marriage, and now a reincarnation of her past monsters, all in one day. Her life couldn't get any worse.

"she's not going to be a part of this family!" Leila snapped. Eyes red. "you can't just go out and bring some bitch in here!"

Natalie's ears rang. Lorenzo's hand on her arm tightened and his eyes narrowed. " Natalie is my wife and I expect the same amount of respect accorded to me to be accorded to her also.Am i understood?" he spoke calmly but underneath it was an icy chill. Natalie went dumb. She hadn't expected him to defend her. Her body tingled with suspicion. What was his gain in all of this? Surely he couldn't be that bored to just stress himself just to get a trophy wife and then defend her so passionately.

Leila stomped her feet and stormed off angrily.

A door opened further down the hall, and A man who was an exact replica of Lorenzo–the kind version – entered-his green eyes bright even in the dim lighting, shirt open at the collar, a glass of something amber in hand.

"Ah," he grinned when he saw her. "The bride."His eyes raked over her, not with cruelty, but with intrigue. Seductive, amused.

"You're prettier up close," he said with a slow, teasing smile. "Good job, brother. For once."

Lorenzo shot him a glare sharp enough to kill a man.

"I expect to not see you around her. She's my wife, not a trophy to be admired"

Lucien raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. Just welcoming the new addition."

Before Natalie could respond, a third presence made itself known.

"and here she comes" . Lucian said with a low whistle, exiting himself from the scene. They turned.

It was a woman. Natalie could tell that she wasn't part of the family. Not with the way her eyes rested on Lorenzo and narrowed in irritation at her.

Draped in a silk gown, hair swept up like a queen, she glided toward them like she floated on air. Her beauty was sharp and classic-like a knife carved in porcelain. And her eyes... they held disgust.

"Who's she? Another one? ," she said slowly. "How long will she last? ."

"Oh! Longer than you think. Esmeralda " Lorenzo replied calmly.

Esmeralda smiled-but it didn't reach her eyes. "We'll see about that. You know how it gets."

Then she turned to Natalie and gave a nod so small it could barely qualify as acknowledgment.

"Welcome, dear. Try to last as long as you can."

With that, she disappeared down the hall.

Natalie turned to Lorenzo.

"Do you have a wife? Is that her? Why then did you marry me? The last thing I need is a death threat over my head. My uncle's place was better"

Lorenzo pulled her to himself suddenly. A smile tingling at his lips.

"why would you think that? Does it bother you that I might have a wife?" A pause " Are you jealous already?"

With a gasp, Natalie pushed him back.

"why would I? I only just met you! "

"it dosen't matter"

"in your dreams, now please can I get changed?"

With a laugh he led Her to the room.

Her room was large-lavish, but hollow.

Servants had placed her clothes in the walk-in closet, folded her belongings, laid out soft robes and toiletries as if she were a guest at a luxury hotel instead of a bride purchased in shame.

"well, you can fix this. Decorate you room to suit your taste! Just let the servants know. They'll give you whatever you need".Lorenzo had said before disappearing into the long halls.

She stood alone by the window, staring into the massive garden below.

This wasn't freedom. This wasn't marriage. This was a transaction sealed with threats and shadows. Even if her husband was a sexy hot fellow. Her insides tingled. She shouldn't be feeling this way.

She crawled into the massive bed and curled beneath the thick duvet, her stomach aching from hunger and anxiety. Her body was tired, but her mind was racing.She had to figure out Lorenzo's real reason for marrying her. A man who wielded such great power didn't just do things on a whim. There had to be a motive.

She yawned beginning to feel sleepy. Her day has been long. Extremely

She fell asleep somewhere between rage, fear and Hunger.

A knock on her door came just as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.

She was brought to the grand dining hall-a long, ancient table set for far too many people. Gold plates. Silver utensils. A wine glass already poured.

Everyone was seated when she entered. Icy gazes trailed her every step as she moved to sit. She didn't need to look to know who owned them. She took her place beside Lorenzo.

Lorenzo stood. "This is my wife," he announced.

Silence.

Leila took a slow sip of wine, then looked away.

Lucien winked. His parents had on different expressions. Anger and annoyance was the least of them.

Esmeralda pressed her napkin tighter in her lap, her lips thinned into disapproval.

"My wing of the estate," Lorenzo continued, "is off-limits to everyone unless invited. Natalie and I will reside there, and we are not to be disturbed."

" Lorenzo.... What are you trying to do now? You are supposed to be engaged to Esmeralda. This thing of yours has been going on for far too long".His father started

"I have a wife now Papa. Maybe Lucian can have her. He's single after all"He said not looking up from his plate.

"No way. We don't like each other " Lucian gave a chuckle.

Natalie ate in silence slowly absorbing all the information she was getting.

"Leave him dear. I'm sure he'll come to his senses soon. This is the fourth girl. She'll be gone in a matter of months. Esmeralda is not complaining. Be patient. Like her" His mother said tight lipped.

"Lorenzo!"

He slammed his spoon on the table. It shook.

"I have married her and that's final. I don't wish to have this conversation again". He took her hand " Now if you will excuse me. I would like to retire with my wife. We have a long night ahead of us"

They left the table and went to her room.

He followed her inside, removed his jacket, and locked the door.

Natalie's spine stiffened. What did he want to do? "Don't."

He turned to her. "Don't what?" His brow raised in amusement.

"I'm not sleeping with you." It came out like a whisper. He gave a hearty chuckle. And walked towards her slowly. Her steps faltered.

He leaned down at her. Her heart pounded.

"You're my wife." He said.

Her heart skipped.