a bold intrusion

Savannah’s day had been quiet. Too quiet. The sprawling mansion, despite its grandeur, felt like a hollow shell. Every step she took echoed through the halls, reminding her just how alone she was.

The staff was polite but distant, attending to their tasks without much interaction. She spent the morning exploring the library again, though the comfort she’d found there yesterday felt like a distant memory.

By early afternoon, Savannah decided to sit in the lounge, a cozy yet formal space with plush cream-colored furniture and large windows that let in the sunlight. She tried to read, but her mind kept drifting to Dominic.

Their conversation in the library the night before had left her unsettled. For a moment, she’d thought she saw a softer side of him, a man who wasn’t entirely cold and calculating. But that moment had vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up outside. She peeked through the window and saw a sleek black sedan parked in the driveway. A woman stepped out, her red stiletto heels clicking against the stone path.

Savannah froze, watching the woman approach the house with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. She wore a fitted black dress that hugged her curves and stopped just above the knee. Her long, dark hair was perfectly styled, and her makeup was flawless. She looked like she belonged in a magazine.

The door opened before Savannah could move, and the woman stepped inside without hesitation. A butler greeted her, but she waved him off as if he were nothing more than an inconvenience.

“Where’s Dominic?” the woman demanded, her voice sharp and commanding.

“He’s in his study, Miss Sophia,” the butler replied, bowing slightly before stepping aside.

Sophia. The name hung in the air like a warning. Savannah’s stomach churned as the woman walked into the house like she owned it.

Before Savannah could retreat, Sophia spotted her. Her dark eyes swept over Savannah, narrowing slightly as if she were evaluating a piece of furniture.

“And who are you supposed to be?” Sophia asked, her tone dripping with disdain.

Savannah stood awkwardly, clutching the book she hadn’t been reading. “I’m… Savannah. Dominic’s wife.”

Sophia’s lips curved into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it. “Wife? Oh, darling, that’s adorable.”

Savannah’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger, but she bit her tongue. She wasn’t sure how to respond to this woman who clearly had no intention of respecting her.

Without another word, Sophia sauntered past her and into the lounge, making herself comfortable on the largest couch. She crossed her legs elegantly and leaned back as if she had every right to be there.

Savannah hesitated, torn between leaving the room and standing her ground. Before she could decide, Dominic appeared in the doorway.

“Sophia,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

Sophia’s face lit up, and she rose from the couch with the grace of a practiced seductress. “I thought I’d surprise you,” she said, her voice suddenly softer, sweeter.

Savannah watched in stunned silence as Dominic walked over to Sophia and kissed her on the cheek. No, not just the cheek his lips lingered, far too intimate for Savannah’s comfort.

Her heart sank.

“Dominic,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t look at her.

Instead, he turned his full attention to Sophia, who was now beaming up at him as if Savannah didn’t exist. “You shouldn’t have come unannounced,” he said, though there was no reprimand in his tone.

Sophia pouted playfully, resting a manicured hand on his chest. “You’re not mad, are you? I just missed you.”

Dominic chuckled, a sound Savannah had yet to hear directed at her. “I suppose I can forgive you this once.”

Savannah felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. The way he spoke to Sophia, the way he looked at her it was nothing like how he treated Savannah.

“I thought we could… catch up,” Sophia said, her voice low and suggestive.

Dominic’s lips curved into a smirk. “I think that can be arranged.”

And then, to Savannah’s absolute horror, he scooped Sophia into his arms as if she weighed nothing. Sophia let out a delighted laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Dominic!” Savannah finally found her voice, though it cracked with emotion. “What are you doing?”

He paused, glancing over his shoulder at her. His expression was cold, detached. “Sophia and I have some… unfinished business.”

“But I’m your wife,” Savannah said, desperation creeping into her tone.

Sophia laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t take it personally. Dominic and I go way back. You’re just… part of the arrangement.”

Dominic said nothing, but his silence was louder than any words could have been. Without another glance in Savannah’s direction, he carried Sophia out of the room and up the grand staircase.

Savannah stood frozen, her mind racing. She heard their laughter fading as they disappeared into the upper levels of the house.

She wanted to scream, to cry, to do anything that would ease the crushing weight in her chest. But all she could do was stand there, staring at the empty doorway.

The humiliation was unbearable. She had known this marriage was a transaction, but seeing it play out so blatantly in front of her was more than she could take.

Is this my life now? she thought bitterly. Is this what I agreed to?

The house felt colder than ever, the silence suffocating.

**************************************************

Later that evening, Savannah sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. She had barely moved since the incident, her mind replaying the scene over and over.

She thought about her mother, her sacrifices, and the reasons she had agreed to this marriage. Was it all worth it?

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from her best friend, Clara.

How’s married life?

Savannah stared at the message, her vision blurring with tears. She couldn’t bring herself to reply.

Suddenly, a knock at the door made her jump. She quickly wiped her face and stood, bracing herself.

The door opened, and Dominic stepped inside. His expression was readable, but there was no sign of regret or apology in his eyes.

“Savannah,” he said simply, as if nothing had happened.

She clenched her fists, anger bubbling to the surface. “What do you want?”

“I wanted to check on you,” he said, his tone neutral.

“Check on me?” She let out a bitter laugh. “After what you did today? After you humiliated me in my own home?”

Dominic’s jaw tightened. “This is my home, Savannah. Don’t forget that.”

Her anger flared. “Then why did you marry me? Why pretend I matter if you’re just going to treat me like I’m invisible?”

He stepped closer, his gaze icy. “You knew what this was from the beginning. Don’t start acting like this is something it’s not.”

Savannah stared at him, her heart breaking all over again. She realized in that moment just how little she meant to him.

“If this is how it’s going to be,” she said, her voice trembling, “then I don’t know how long I can stay.”

Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “You’ll stay because you have no choice.”

His words cut deeper than she thought possible. He turned and left the room without another word, leaving Savannah alone once again.

As the door clicked shut, Savannah sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face.

This is not the life I wanted, she thought. But I won’t let him break me.

Somewhere deep inside her, a spark of determination began to burn.

She didn’t know how, but she vowed to find a way to reclaim her dignity.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d find a way to bring Dominic Wolfe to his knees and make him understand she is more than this.