Chapter 5 The mansion

Celia

The ride away from the wedding was silent and awkward and I could feel Shane's coldness and suppressed anger radiating all over him.

His driver drove the car while we both sat in the back, and Shane sat as far away from me as possible, refusing to look at me.

I wanted to apologize for the way the wedding had turned out, but I could not bring myself to because I was simply terrified of the man.

I looked out the window, pressing my head against the glass as I felt different thoughts flooding through my mind. Thoughts of Ian.

I couldn't help but grit my teeth in rage as I thought of him. That bastard. I couldn't believe he had been cheating on me all this time with Nora.

Why did he think it was okay to get angry that I had gotten married to someone else? The cheating made us almost even at this point. Almost, because I never cheated on him.

I loved Ian with everything I had and I was completely devoted to him. I was at his beck and call and my needs did not matter to me as long as he was satisfied.

I couldn't believe that all that time, he was a complete prick. My heart clenched with betrayal as I mourned the destroyed relationship.

My lips quivered but I couldn't dare cry. Not while Shane was here. I kept looking out the window in utter silence till we finally arrived at a mansion which momentarily made me forget all my troubles.

I thought I had lived in a mansion with my father and my step-family, but that structure was nothing compared to this.

Shane's mansion oozed extreme wealth and luxury and my eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as they darted around the building.

The driver got out of the car and went around to open the door for Shane. Once he got out of the car, he adjusted his three piece suit elegantly and without sparing me a look, he made his way towards the mansion.

I immediately got out of the car, almost tripping over my dress as I stumbled my way over to the trunk to get my things.

"Don't worry. I'll get that." The driver said with a kind smile which I instantly returned, before making my way into the mansion.

I couldn't hide the gasp which escaped my lips as my eyes swept over the luxurious and extremely spacious interior. It was truly exquisite.

I was too busy gaping at the house before I finally noticed a woman with greying hair which I assumed was the housekeeper.

"Welcome back, Mr. Reynolds." The housekeeper greeted, keeping her hands folded elegantly in front of her.

"Thank you, Ingrid. Show her to her room." Shane's deep voice sounded commanding and I was disappointed that he didn't even spare me a glance before he began leaving.

It was at that moment that I managed to comprehend what he just said. My room. We wouldn't be using the same room despite the fact that we were newlyweds?

"B–but I thought we would sleep in the same room." I couldn't help but blurt out.

Shane froze in his tracks before slowly turning around, looking at me like I had just uttered the most absurd words anyone could ever say and that look instantly had me regretting my entire existence.

I gulped, clamping my mouth shut and after Shane had shot me his signature icy glare which seemed to be only meant for me, he stormed away.

I released the breath which I didn't even know I was holding, feeling my insides crumble to ashes.

"Let me show you to your room." The housekeeper said, flashing me a sympathetic smile.

"Thank you." I answered, gathering my dress and wasted no time following her.

My room was just as luxurious as the rest of the mansion, and once my things had been brought in, I managed to change out of the suffocating wedding gown into some casual clothes before relaxing in bed with a small sigh.

Once I was alone with my thoughts, I began thinking of Ian's betrayal once more and I could not help the tears which slid down my cheeks.

I was a naturally easy-going person and I did not complain about a lot of things, but cheating was a huge deal breaker for me and Ian knew that, but he still went and did it anyway.

It was now obvious that he never cared for me. He never loved me. The break up was probably for the best. Maybe it was a good thing that Shane came along.

After a few seconds, I shook my head, knowing that it was all bullshit. I had spent a few minutes with Shane and I had not noticed any form of mental illness like the rumors suggested, but one thing was for sure.

The man was cold as ice and he hated my guts. How the hell was I supposed to stay married to such a man?

I quickly remembered the reason I was doing this. For my father. To save the company. That was enough reason.

But I couldn't help but wonder why Shane decided to help my father. I had no idea that they even knew each other. Why on earth did he even decide to go through with the wedding when he clearly hated me?

I had a million questions, but I barely had the time to answer them when I heard a soft knock on the door.

My eyes went wide as my heart raced in my chest. Was that Shane? I quickly got up and raced to the door, but it was only Ingrid, Shane's housekeeper at the doorway.

"Hi. May I help you?" I asked, my tone laced with confusion.

"There is someone at the door asking to see you." She replied and that further intensified my confusion. I wasn't expecting anybody. Who could it be?

I trudged towards the door with Ingrid following after me and when I opened it, my eyes sank low in my chest because standing in the doorway was my step-sister with a vicious smirk on her face.