Chapter 2 The Cage Of Gold

The car purred quietly as it glided through the city, but inside, the air between Clara and Adrian was thick enough to choke on.

Clara sat stiffly in her seat, her hands clenched so tightly on her lap that her knuckles had turned white. She kept her gaze fixed on the window, refusing to look at the man sitting beside her.

Adrian, of course, seemed perfectly at ease, one hand resting lazily on the leather seat, his long legs stretched out as if he had just taken her for a casual evening ride instead of stealing her from her own wedding.

Finally, Clara snapped.

"You can't just do this!" Her voice was sharp, trembling with anger. "You can't walk into my life, throw money around, and decide I belong to you like some-some thing you bought at an auction!"

Adrian turned his head slowly, his dark eyes locking on her. His expression didn't change, but there was a glint of something dangerous there, like a predator amused by its prey's attempt to fight back.

"You agreed," he said simply.

Clara's breath hitched. "I didn't agree! You" She stopped, biting her lip hard. "You manipulated me. You blackmailed me. My family-"

"I saved your family," Adrian interrupted, his tone maddeningly calm. "Your father would've lost everything by the end of the week. Now he won't."

Clara whipped her head toward him, anger flaring. "And you think that makes this okay? That makes you some kind of hero?"

Adrian's lips curved faintly, but it wasn't a smile. "No. I don't care about being a hero. I care about getting what I want."

Clara's heart pounded painfully. "And what exactly do you want?"

His gaze held hers, unblinking, unwavering. "You."

The word hung in the air between them, heavy and final.

Clara's breath caught, and for a split second, she couldn't think, couldn't move. But then the weight of reality slammed back into her.

"You don't even know me," she said, her voice hoarse.

Adrian tilted his head slightly, still watching her. "I know enough."

Clara's hands tightened again, nails digging into her palms. "You're insane."

"Maybe," Adrian said coolly, leaning back in his seat. "But I always get what I want, Clara. And right now, that's you as my wife."

Clara turned away from him, furious, frustrated, and-worst of all-scared. Not because she feared what he would do to her, but because a part of her, a very small, traitorous part, couldn't stop remembering the way his hand had felt when it held hers at the altar-steady, warm, almost protective.

She shook the thought away angrily.

No. He's not protective. He's a cage with a charming smile.

......

The car pulled through a set of massive wrought-iron gates and up a long, winding driveway lined with manicured hedges. At the top of the hill sat a sprawling modern mansion, all sharp glass and steel, glowing like a palace under the evening sky.

Clara stared at it, her chest tightening. It was beautiful, yes, but it didn't look like a home. It looked like a fortress.

The car stopped, and Adrian stepped out first, adjusting his suit jacket as though he hadn't just destroyed her life.

A driver opened Clara's door, but she hesitated, gripping the seat.

Adrian glanced back, raising a brow. "Are you coming, or should I carry you inside?"

Her cheeks burned at the audacity of the question. "You wouldn't dare."

A slow, infuriating smile spread across his face. "Don't tempt me."

Clara gritted her teeth and got out, ignoring the way his gaze lingered on her as she straightened her dress.

Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking. High ceilings, sweeping staircases, gleaming marble floors. But Clara didn't let herself admire it. Every inch of it felt like a reminder of the trap she had just walked into.

Two maids appeared immediately, bowing slightly to Adrian.

"Prepare the guest room," Adrian ordered, his deep voice echoing in the grand hall.

Clara blinked, startled. "Guest room?"

Adrian glanced at her, one brow raised. "Did you think we'd be sharing a bed tonight?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. "I don't care what you do."

Adrian stepped closer, his voice dropping low. "You sound disappointed."

Clara whipped her head toward him, glaring. "I'm not."

Adrian's lips curved faintly again, as if amused by her fury. "Good. Then we won't have a problem."

The First Fight

The maids led Clara upstairs to a spacious guest room with a king-sized bed, soft cream-colored walls, and a balcony overlooking the city. It was the kind of room most people would dream of, but Clara felt suffocated the moment the door closed.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands.

This isn't my life. This isn't real.

She didn't know how long she sat there before a soft knock on the door broke her thoughts.

Adrian entered without waiting for permission, his tall frame filling the doorway.

Clara stood immediately, anger rising again. "You could at least knock like a normal person."

"I did," he said simply, stepping inside.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

Adrian closed the door behind him, his gaze steady. "We need to discuss the rules."

"Rules?"

He nodded. "You're my wife now. That means certain things will be expected of you."

Clara crossed her arms. "Like what? Smiling for your business friends while pretending this is a fairytale romance?"

Adrian didn't flinch. "Yes. Exactly that. You'll attend events with me, you'll play the role of a perfect wife, and you won't cause scandals."

Clara laughed bitterly. "So I'm just a prop for your reputation?"

Adrian's jaw tightened slightly. "For now."

"For now?" she echoed, frowning.

Adrian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "I didn't marry you to hurt you, Clara. But you're here because you owe me. I saved your family, and in return, you'll play your part. Do that, and your father's debts disappear forever. Cause trouble, and..." He let the unfinished threat hang in the air.

Clara's heart thudded painfully. "You're unbelievable."

"Maybe," Adrian said calmly. "But I always keep my promises."

Clara stared at him, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I hate you."

Adrian's eyes darkened, but he didn't look hurt. If anything, he looked... intrigued.

"You'll get over it," he said softly.

"Don't bet on it," she shot back.

Later that night, Clara couldn't sleep. She stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin. The city stretched out below like a field of stars, but she felt trapped, like a bird in a gilded cage.

She didn't hear Adrian approach until his voice broke the silence.

"You're awake."

She stiffened but didn't turn. "Don't you ever knock?"

"This isn't your room," he said. "It's mine. Every room in this house is mine."

Clara turned to glare at him, her hair whipping in the wind. "Congratulations, then. You own everything. Happy now?"

Adrian leaned casually against the balcony railing, his dark suit catching the moonlight. "Not everything," he said quietly.

Clara frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He looked at her, his gaze steady, almost too intense. "You're still fighting me. I admire that."

"I'm not something for you to admire," she said sharply.

Adrian's lips curved faintly. "No. You're not. But you are mine, Clara. At least for now."

Clara's heart raced, anger and something else she didn't want to name swirling in her chest.

"I'll never be yours," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Adrian stepped closer, close enough that she could feel his warmth. His eyes softened just slightly, something unreadable flickering there.

"We'll see," he murmured.

And then his phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the tension. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened immediately.

Clara noticed, frowning. "What is it?"

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Nothing you need to worry about."

But the way his grip tightened on the phone told her it was anything but nothing.

"Adrian," she pressed, but he was already turning away.

"Go to bed, Clara," he said, his tone clipped.

He walked back into the room, leaving her on the balcony, the night air cold against her skin.

Clara stared after him, unease curling in her stomach.

She didn't know what had just happened, but for the first time since marrying him, she felt something shift in Adrian Wolfe.

And whatever it was, she knew it wasn't good.