The front door creaks open, and I sprint from my room, heart pounding after waiting for him for hours. I know it’s Jax—he always comes back at this ungodly hour after vanishing all night. “Jaxon Harper!” I shout as I reach the door, my fingers clutching the paper I found in his room last night.There he is, standing in the doorway. His dark hair is disheveled, and his skin has that sickly pale tint. Probably another night of drinking and partying. He stumbles in, not even glancing my way, like this is just another morning in his chaotic routine.I shove the paper in his face. "What the hell is this, Jaxon Harper?" My voice cracks with sheer disbelief. "An agreement? A marriage? Did you just sell me off to some random billionaire?Jax barely glances at me, tossing his jacket onto the couch like it's just another Tuesday. "I didn’t expect you to find out this way," he mutters, fiddling with his phone and avoiding my gaze.I stare, disbelief boiling inside me. "That’s it? So you’ve been
“Yes!” I gasp, breathless. “I’ll do whatever you want!”He leans his face in slowly, deliberate, the air thickening between us. My heart hammers in my chest, desperate and frantic. Then his voice brushes against me, cold as frost.“Then... marry me.”The words hit me like a slap, leaving me stunned. I freeze, disbelief knotting in my throat. My hope—the one last flicker I clung to—snuffs out instantly.“What?”“You said you’d do what I say.” He steps closer, his presence pressing down on me, suffocating. “I say: marry me.”I shake my head, as if I’ve misheard, as if this isn’t real. But his voice slices through my confusion, calm and merciless.“And if you really hate this agreement, then let's get married like a man and a woman should do—not like a contract tells us to.”Without waiting for a response, he turns his back and walks toward the door. His footsteps echo in the silence, a final reminder of how little he cares. He played me—made me think there was a way out, only to tear it
The rooftop venue glimmers under the morning sun, but none of it feels real to me. I sit alone at a table tucked into the garden’s corner, far from the laughter and clinking champagne glasses. This isn’t a wedding; it’s a transaction wrapped in extravagance. Guests buzz around like bees in a gilded hive, chatting and congratulating, oblivious to the suffocating weight in my chest. Maximilian’s friends and family swarm through the garden, each one effortlessly fitting into this world he dragged me into three days ago—a world I don’t belong to. “Oh, the bride is beautiful! What a dress!” “I heard the wedding was arranged quickly. No one expecting this marriage before.” “Strange, isn't it? But look at this—he spared no expense, proofing everything.” “She’s lucky. It’s Maximilian Milton, after all. Who wouldn’t want to be in her shoes?” Lucky. That word cuts through me. I glance at the ring on my finger, a sparkling band I never wanted. My thumb rubs the cold metal as if tryin
“Madam!”I shift my gaze to the two men running toward me; a flicker of panic crosses their faces, subtle but unmistakable. They are the guards who wanted to follow me—Mr. Andymon and Mr. Patrick. They quickly lead me away from the guard about to escort me into the elevator, and I feel a sense of loss as Mr. Patrick pulls him aside.Their stiff posture and the way their eyes dart to him without making direct contact tell me everything and nothing at once. They move too smoothly, like a choreographed dance—efficient and polished—as if trying to keep me calm and ensure I don’t notice that something is off. But I do.“Madam, are you finished?” Mr. Andymon asks, his tone light and polite, as if we’re discussing brunch rather than a situation that’s setting off every alarm in my head. “You should head back to the roof soon.”I fold my arms and narrow my eyes at Mr. Andymon. “I ruined my makeup,” I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Should I go back upstairs and chat with the guests lo
The moment I lift my gaze, the air leaves my lungs—it’s him.“Are you gonna leave your husband just like this, right after the wedding party?”Maximilian. Sitting across from me like a ghost from a nightmare. I blink, hoping he’ll disappear, but no—he’s real. He found me.He looks terrible. The usual sharp elegance is gone—dark hair disheveled, stubble shadowing his jaw, and cold, bloodshot eyes ringed with exhaustion. His suit is wrinkled, shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He seems worn down, but far from defeated.Maximilian leans back, jaw tight, struggling to maintain control. His gaze locks onto mine, steady yet simmering with restrained anger.“How did you...?”He cuts me off, leaning in with infuriating calm, like he’s already won. “If I missed your train, I would’ve taken my helicopter.” A pause, heavy with meaning. “Understand your position now?” His voice drops, sharp and deliberate. “Stop causing trouble.”The words hit like a slap. My nails dig into my palms to stop my hands
Ariadne returned to New York, stepping back into the gilded cage she now called home: Maximilian’s penthouse. She was exhausted, but her weariness offered no comfort, only a grim reminder of the trap she'd walked back into—a prison lined with luxury, where she felt chained by Maximilian's iron will.“Leave us,” Maximilian commanded, his voice low and final. His men filed out, leaving the two of them alone in the vast, opulent space. The grandeur of the penthouse felt like it was pressing down on Ariadne, each polished surface and lavish detail suffocating her. She met Maximilian’s gaze, her own filled with fury and disdain, while his looked pale, beads of sweat forming on his brow, yet his hands trembled only slightly as he attempted to reach for her."Don't touch me." She jerked back sharply, her voice cold and laced with venom.Maximilian’s jaw clenched. Ignoring her protest, he grabbed her roughly, forcing her onto the couch with a grip that left no room for defiance. Ariadne's bre
Ariadne had spent the entire night asleep on the sofa, her exhaustion deepened by hours of silent tears.Feeling an odd weight over her, she slowly opened her eyes, only to find a pair of long legs planted directly in front of her face. She tilted her gaze upward and saw Maximilian, dressed casually in a black sweater, standing over her.He looked better than last night she saw him, but still, his expression was as cold and unfeeling as ever.Ariadne’s tired eyes narrowed into a sharp, icy stare as she remained lying on the sofa, now fully aware of who was interrupting her morning.“The breakfast is ready,” Maximilian said with no warmth, no suggestion. “Clean up and join me.”Ariadne let out a bitter sigh. “I don’t know why you keep showing up in front of me,” she said, her voice laced with resentment. “You say you don’t mean to make my life a living hell, yet that’s exactly what you’re doing.”Maximilian paused, turning back to look at Ariadne, still sprawled on the sofa. “You’re ri
Ariadne stood motionless as Gideon approached, a faint tension tightening her posture. As Andymon and Patrick discreetly withdrew, Gideon’s smile deepened—a smile that always carried a vague, unsettling edge, though she couldn’t quite place why it unnerved her.“Is something bothering you?” he asked smoothly. Ariadne didn’t respond, instead averting her gaze to avoid his piercing look.“Ah, it’s evident you feel out of place here, with your... new status,” he continued, his voice laced with amusement. “You’ve even gone to lengths to try to escape.” A smothered laugh escaped him, and Ariadne shot him a cold, sharp look.Gideon leaned casually against a pillar on the loggia, overlooking the vast swimming pool and serene courtyard beyond. The relaxed setting felt at odds with the tension simmering between them.Gideon watched her with a curious tilt of his head. “Is there anything you’d like to complain about when it comes to Max?”Ariadne gave him a frosty, piercing look before replying
On the way home, there was only silence. Ariadne, who had been complaining about feeling sleepy earlier, now had her eyes wide open. Her drowsiness had faded, but the lingering tension kept her alert. She glanced at Maximilian, who drove calmly, as if he had already forgotten what he had done at the restaurant earlier.But Ariadne hadn’t.She still remembered it vividly, and for a brief moment, she regretted her decision to end up where Maximilian wanted. Why, then, did she falter when she so desperately wanted to confront him? It was deeply unsettling.“Did you enjoy the meal?” Maximilian asked, clearly looking for something to say.“It was alright.”“And the dance? Did you like it?”Ariadne held herself back. Maximilian was clearly doing this on purpose.“You know I didn’t enjoy anything I did with you,” she said, her voice sharp. “I held back, but honestly, I wanted to hit you for the vile things you said earlier. Are you trying to provoke me?”“What stopped you? You usually have w
They ended up at an upscale restaurant with a table prepared especially for them."Why are we here? I want to go back to the hotel!" Ariadne exclaimed in confusion and annoyance. Instead of returning to the hotel, it seemed they were about to enjoy a romantic dinner on an open terrace with a stunning and elegant view of San Francisco by night."This is your reward.""What? Isn't it up to me where I use my reward ticket?""I've already told you-l make the rules." Ariadne held back her protest, shrinking under her husband's icy gaze."Place your order. The waiter will be here shortly," Maximilian instructed with a lifeless tone."I just want to go home!""I won't allow it," Maximilian replied, painting a warning smile on his face, prompting Ariadne to scoff and look away.Maximilian took in the view. The quiet atmosphere around them made the night even more serene. "My mother used to use these quiet moments to have a conversation."Ariadne glanced at him coldly, uninterested. "Your moth
This was the highlight of the event that had prompted Maximilian to bring Ariadne along on his business trip: a celebration marking a collaboration and a symbol of Maximilian’s success. Yet Ariadne entered the grand hall alone. Maximilian had been delayed by urgent matters related to his business. Ariadne didn’t complain, but she was irritated—having to navigate a crowded space like this on her own was hardly enjoyable.The attendees glittered, clad in polished suits and gowns that seemed to sparkle with gemstones. The sheer radiance almost hurt her eyes.It wasn’t surprising that she felt a twinge of insecurity when their gazes landed on her, intentional or not. She couldn’t decipher their expressions, but she disliked them.“Maximilian, in the end, is just a selfish bastard!”Ariadne was furious, and she didn’t hold back from cursing her husband. Whether angry or not, Ariadne had never taken their marriage as seriously as others might expect. That was Ariadne Harper.As she moved fu
Ariadne woke with a start, the last remnants of her half-remembered conversation with Maximilian lingering in her mind. She turned to look beside her, but the other side of the bed was empty.Sitting up quickly, she scanned the spacious hotel room, her alert gaze sweeping every corner, but there was no sign of him.A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She padded over to the door and opened it. Several hotel staff members stood there, offering polite smiles.“Good morning, Mrs. Ariadne Milton,” one of them greeted. “We’ve come to help you get ready.”Ariadne stepped aside to let them in, her curiosity piqued. She allowed the staff to assist her as they brought out an outfit Maximilian had apparently selected. They dressed her in a tailored, cream-colored blouse with a delicate silk scarf tied neatly around her neck, paired with high-waisted, wide-legged beige trousers that gave her an effortlessly chic silhouette. Her makeup was understated yet elegant, with soft neutral tones
The atmosphere in the house had grown colder than usual since learning of Maximilian’s illness. The once faint but consistent effort Maximilian made to engage Ariadne in conversation had disappeared entirely, leaving an unsettling silence that stretched over several days.On the rooftop flower garden, Ariadne crouched down, tending to the delicate buds of her flowers, which were on the brink of blooming. The serene task usually brought her peace, but her mind wandered relentlessly to Maximilian and the last time they had shared a meal together."Is he offended by my question?" she muttered to herself, recalling the moment she had asked a sensitive question.Scoffing quietly, she added, "Turns out he’s a sensitive person after all." Her tone was laced with annoyance as she moved to another section of the garden. But just as she reached out to adjust a flower, she froze, startled by the sudden presence of a pair of feet beside her.She looked up sharply, her hands still gloved and duste
Ariadne froze in shock, staring at the empty bed. Maximilian was gone, leaving behind his IV stand and no trace of his presence. Yet, miraculously, she found herself lying in his place, wrapped snugly in the thick blanket that had once covered him.She didn’t call out his name—she never did—but quickly climbed out of the bed, her mind racing as she searched for him.It made no sense, yet she moved instinctively, her steps brisk as if pulled by an unseen thread. Her heart thudded in a mix of confusion and urgency as she reached the adjoining bathroom. Without thinking, she swung the door open—and screamed.“AAAAA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”Standing there, startled, was Maximilian, stark naked. His head whipped around at her outburst, and he grabbed a towel, hastily covering himself.Maximilian stared at her, a mix of disbelief and irritation in his expression. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice calm but edged with confusion.Ariadne pointed an accusing finger, her cheeks burning.
The midnight commotion began with a shock—Maximilian suddenly collapsing onto the cold kitchen floor.Panic surged through Ariadne, her thoughts racing as she scrambled to call for help. Within moments, a doctor arrived. He was a middle-aged man with an air of calm authority, his experience evident in the way he moved and spoke, even more so than Sloane, the family physician Ariadne was familiar with.Ariadne stood awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do. She kept telling herself it wasn’t her problem and that she didn’t care, yet she found herself rooted to the spot. She couldn’t bring herself to leave the room, watching anxiously as the doctor worked.The doctor’s assistant moved efficiently, helping to organize the necessary equipment and pack up after the examination was complete. Meanwhile, the doctor approached Ariadne, his sharp gaze studying her.Ariadne stiffened, trying to maintain her indifferent demeanor. She folded her arms and averted her eyes, as if her lingering pr
Maximilian closed his tired eyes, hoping for a moment of rest after an exhausting day.Since returning to work, he had handed the company’s reins to Gideon during his recovery, but as its leader, a permanent reprieve from responsibility was never an option. Maximilian had anticipated the chaos of his first days back, but he hadn’t foreseen how deeply it would strain his body.Feeling the ache intensify, he turned to the drawer beside his bed and retrieved a small bottle of medicine. With practiced precision, he swallowed a dose, his expression tightening as he leaned back.“I still need to adapt to this heart,” he muttered to himself, one hand brushing against the area of his chest where the surgery scar lay. The lingering pain in his stitches made him wince. For a fleeting moment, he considered pressing the area to ease the discomfort but dismissed the thought, knowing the risk of causing further complications.Exhaling heavily, Maximilian returned to bed and stretched out. The effec
Gideon’s words made Ariadne pause, her initial question forgotten as a new thought surfaced.He scoffed lightly. “It’s refreshing to see how he treats others. Seems like there’s still a trace of humanity left in him.”Ariadne narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying you think he lacks humanity?”Gideon tilted his head, throwing her question back at her. “What do you think? You’re the loudest voice when it comes to proclaiming his so-called ‘cruelty’ to the world.”She fell silent, her retort stuck in her throat. As much as she hated to admit it, Gideon might be right. In her narrative, Maximilian had always been the villain.But Gideon gave her a knowing smile. “Despite his coldness and cruelty, look at how he treats you here. How he ensures you’re taken care of. I even heard your friend paid you a visit—entirely with his knowledge and approval.”Ariadne’s voice rose with anger. “It’s nothing compared to what your brother did to me! Locking me here, isolating m