A stranger's wife

Savannah sat in the large guest room Dominic had assigned her, staring blankly at the elaborate decor around her. The walls were painted a soft ivory, accented with gold trim. The bed was enormous, covered in silky white sheets that felt far too luxurious for someone like her. A crystal chandelier hung above, casting warm light across the room. It was beautiful, yet it felt suffocating.

Her hands fidgeted in her lap as her emotions churned wildly. She had barely spoken to Dominic since the ceremony. After the vows, he had told her to get comfortable and then disappeared into his study. Savannah hadn’t expected him to sweep her off her feet, but the coldness of their interaction still stung.

Her mind raced with questions. What had she done? What kind of man had she married? And, most importantly, could she truly live like this? Every choice she had made over the past week felt like it was out of desperation.

She thought of her mother. Her warm smile, now replaced by tired lines of worry. The creditors were relentless, threatening to take their home and destroy her father’s legacy. Savannah had tried everything selling what little they had, working long hours but it was never enough.

A sharp knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Come in,” she called, her voice weak.

The door opened to reveal a young woman with short dark hair, dressed in a crisp black uniform. She carried a tray with tea and biscuits.

“Mrs. Wolfe, I brought this for you,” the woman said, her tone polite but formal.

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 placed the tray on the small table by 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, though she doubted she would call for anything. “Thanks, but I think I’m fine.”

The maid hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening. “It can be overwhelming at first. Don’t worry—things will settle.”

Before Savannah could respond, Maria gave a small bow and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Savannah stared at the untouched tea, her appetite nonexistent. The warmth of Maria’s words lingered, but they couldn’t chase away the heavy ache in her chest.

She leaned back against the chair, tears pricking at her eyes. She had agreed to this marriage to save her family, but now the reality of it all was sinking in. She was alone, trapped in a world she didn’t understand, married to a man who saw her as nothing more than a tool for his business.

The next morning, Savannah woke to the sound of soft knocking. Groggily, she sat up, realizing she had fallen asleep in the chair by the window.

“Mrs. Wolfe, breakfast is ready,” Maria’s voice called through the door.

Savannah rubbed her eyes and quickly changed into a simple blouse and skirt. Her reflection in the mirror showed her tired eyes and pale skin. She took a deep breath, hoping to steady herself, and stepped out of the room.

The dining room was as grand as the rest of the estate. A long table stretched across the room, set with fine china and silverware. Dominic sat at the head of the table, reading the newspaper. He looked up briefly when she entered.

“Good morning,” he said, his tone neutral.

“Good morning,” she replied quietly, taking a seat at the far end of the table.

For a moment, the only sounds were the clinking of silverware and the rustle of the newspaper. Savannah felt small in the vast room, like an outsider in her own life.

“I trust you slept well,” Dominic said, breaking the silence.

Savannah hesitated. “It was fine, thank you.”

He nodded, his focus returning to the newspaper.

Savannah’s frustration bubbled under the surface. She knew this was a business arrangement, but did he have to be so distant? She wasn’t expecting romance, but some kindness wouldn’t hurt.

Finally, she gathered her courage. “Dominic… can we talk?”

He lowered the newspaper, his sharp blue eyes meeting hers. “What about?”

“This… marriage,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I just… I need to understand how this is going to work.”

He leaned back in his chair, studying her. “It’s simple. You’ll attend events with me, play the role of a devoted wife, and in return, I’ll take care of your family’s debts. Outside of that, you’re free to do as you please.”

Savannah clenched her hands in her lap. “And what happens if I make a mistake? If I can’t… live up to your expectations?”

Dominic’s gaze hardened. “Don’t.”

The single word hit her like a slap. His tone was cold, unyielding. She bit her lip, fighting back the tears threatening to spill.

“Do you really think I can do this?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

For the first time, something flickered in his eyes—pity, maybe? But it was gone as quickly as it came.

“You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you could,” he said. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

His words should have been reassuring, but they only deepened her unease.

Later that day, Dominic left for work, and Savannah found herself alone in the estate. She wandered through the halls, trying to familiarize herself with her new home. The mansion was beautiful but eerily silent, like a museum.

She ended up in the library, a grand room with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books. She ran her fingers along the spines, finding comfort in their familiarity.

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

How are you? Is everything okay?

Savannah stared at the screen, her chest tightening. She didn’t know how to answer. Her mother had no idea about the deal she had made.

I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, she typed back.

She set the phone down and sank into one of the plush chairs, her emotions crashing over her. The weight of her choices, the loneliness, the fear it was all too much.

A sob escaped her lips, and before she knew it, she was crying, her tears soaking the sleeve of her blouse.

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

“Savannah.”

Her head snapped up, and she saw Dominic standing in the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but his presence filled the room.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” he said, his voice softer than she expected.

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

He walked into the room, his footsteps slow and deliberate. “You don’t look fine.”

She looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “It’s just… everything. This house, this life, this… marriage. It’s all so overwhelming.”

He stopped a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and she wondered if he was judging her.

“You’re not the first person to feel out of place here,” he said finally. “This house has a way of making people feel small.”

His words surprised her. She looked up, searching his face for sincerity. “Do you feel that way?”

He hesitated, his eyes distant. “Sometimes.”

It was the first time he had shown any vulnerability, and it caught her off guard.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” she said softly.

“You’re not,” he replied, his tone firm.

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink. But then Dominic straightened, the cold mask slipping back into place.

“Dinner is at seven,” he said, turning to leave.

As he walked away, Savannah felt a strange mix of emotions confusion, frustration, and a flicker of something she couldn’t quite name.

She was starting to see that Dominic Wolfe was more than just the ruthless businessman he appeared to be. But whether that was a good thing or not, she didn’t know.

Savannah wiped her face, steeling herself. If she was going to survive this arrangement, she needed to be strong.

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