A stranger's wife

She sat amidst this grand guest room Dominic gave to her, staring at these really fancy decorations: cream paint covering the walls with the slight streak of gold, an enormous bed smothered by satin-white sheets that were definitely too nice for her body. A crystal overhead poured its warm light down at the room. It's all beautiful, but way over-the-top.

Her hands fluttered nervously in her lap, a storm of emotions swirling inside her. She hadn't spoken much with Dominic since their wedding. After exchanging vows, he had told her to get comfortable and then gone into his office. She hadn't expected him to be romantic, but their coldness hurt.

Her mind was filled with questions. What had she done? What kind of man had she married? Could she really live like this? Every choice she had made in the last week felt desperate.

She thought of her mother, whose warm smile was now replaced by worry. Creditors were after them, threatening to take their home and ruin her father's legacy. Savannah had tried everything—selling what little they had and working long hours—but it was never enough.

A loud knock at the door broke her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, her voice weak.

The door opened to a young woman with short dark hair in a neat black uniform, carrying a tray with tea and cookies.

"Mrs. Wolfe, I brought this for you," the woman said politely.

Savannah winced at the title. Mrs. Wolfe. It didn't feel real. She managed a small smile. "Thank you… uh…"

"Maria," the maid supplied.

"Thank you, Maria."

Maria set the tray on a little table beside the window. "Mr. Wolfe asked me to make sure you're comfortable. If you need anything, just ring the bell by the bed."

Savannah nodded, knowing full well she was not going to call for anything. "Thanks, I think I'm fine."

The maid hovered, her expression soft. "It's a bit much the first days. It all settles, don't worry.

Before Savannah could utter a word, Maria bowed slightly and left the room, closing the door quietly.

Savannah stared at the untouched tea; she had no appetite. Maria's kind words still lingered in her head but couldn't ease the heavy feeling in her chest.

She leaned back, and the tears began welling up in her eyes, threatening to fall . She had agreed to this marriage to save her family, but now it was all beginning to dawn on her,she was alone, stuck in a life she didn't understand, married to a man who treated her like a tool for his business.

The next morning, Savannah woke to soft knocking, she realized she had dozed off in the chair by the window.

"Mrs. Wolfe, breakfast is ready," Maria called through the door.

Savannah rubbed her eyes and got dressed quickly into a blouse and skirt. She reached for the mirror; there were eye pouches staring back, skin sallow in tone. Taking deep breaths, she calmed herself enough to and walked out of the room.

The dining room was as big and grand as the rest of the house. A long table was set with fine dishes and silverware. Dominic sat at the head of the table, reading a newspaper. He looked up when she entered.

"Good morning," he said, sounding quite neutral.

"Good morning," she said quietly, pulling out a chair as she sat on it.

The only sounds that were heard were clinking utensils and the soft rustle of the newspaper. Savannah felt small in the large room, an outsider in her own life.

"I trust you slept well," Dominic said finally, breaking the silence.

Savannah paused. "It was fine, thank you."

He nodded and went back to the newspaper.

Savannah felt frustration rising. She knew this was a business deal, but did he have to be so distant? She wasn't expecting romance, but some kindness wouldn't hurt.

Finally, she found the courage to speak up. "Dominic… can we talk?"

He lowered the newspaper and looked at her with sharp blue eyes. "What about?

This… marriage," she said, shaking. "I just… I need to understand how this is going to work."

He leaned back in his chair, examining her. "It's simple. You'll go to events with me, act like a devoted wife, and in return, I'll handle your family's debts. Outside of that, you can do what you want.

Savannah fisted her hands. "And what if I mess up? If I can't… live up to your expectations?"

His eyes turned to ice. "Don't."

That one word was like a blow. His voice was icy, unyielding. She bit her lip, fighting tears.

"Do you really think I can do this?" she asked softly.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes-maybe pity?-but it faded quickly.

You wouldn't be here if I didn't think you could," he said. "You're stronger than you think."

His words should have been comforting, yet they plunged her deeper into her worry.

Dominic left for work a little later that day. Savannah found herself alone inside the estate. She ambled through the halls, seeking to get used to this new home. The beautifully designed mansion was eerily quiet, like that of a museum.

She landed in the library-a great room of shelves upon shelves of books. Her fingers ran along their spines for the familiarity of it.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a text from her mother.

How are you? Is everything okay?

Savannah stared at the screen, anxious. She didn't know how to reply. Her mother knew nothing about the deal that she had made.

Im fine. Dn worry about me, she typed out.

She dropped the phone beside her and sagged into the plush chair. Her feelings just overwhelmed her. The burden of having to make the choices and bear loneliness and fear was hard to bear.

A sob broke loose from her lips, and in an instant, she was crying, her tears wetting her blouse.

She didn't hear the footsteps until it was too late.

"Savannah.

She looked up to see Dominic in the doorway. His face was unreadable, but his presence filled the room.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” he said gently.

She quickly wiped her tears, feeling embarrassed. “I’m fine.”

He stepped into the room, moving slowly. “You don’t look fine.”

She turned away, not able to meet his eyes. "It's just. everything. This house, this life, this. marriage. It's all so much."

He stopped a few feet from her, hands in his pockets. A moment of silence passed, and she thought he judged her.

"You are not the first to feel misplaced in this home," he finally said. "The house does tend to have an effect of making individuals feel inferior.

His words caught her off guard. She looked up to catch the sincerity in his eyes. "Do you feel that way?

He stammered; his eyes strayed away. "Sometimes."

For the first time, he had lowered his defenses, and she glimpsed a chink in his armor.

"I don't want to be a burden," she whispered.

"You're not," he said with feeling.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, it seemed as if the world around them melted away. Then Dominic straightened and clamped on his mask of indifference once more.

"Dinner is at seven," he said, turning away from her.

As he walked away, a vortex of emotions churned inside Savannah: confusion, frustration, and something that eluded identification.

She was starting to realize that Dominic Wolfe was much more than a cutthroat businessman. But if that was a good thing, she wasn't so sure.

Savannah wiped her face off and steeled herself. If she was going to survive this arrangement, then she needed to be strong.

And maybe, just maybe, she would find a way through the walls Dominic had built around himself.