THE FIRST CLASH

Chapter 5: The First Clash

Elena Carter had never been the type of woman to let someone dictate her life. Even now, as the wife of Damien Sterling—a man who treated marriage like a business deal—she refused to let him control her.

If he thought she would be an obedient little wife, he was in for a rude awakening.

The first few days after the wedding had been cold and silent. Damien barely acknowledged her presence unless necessary, and Elena had no desire to start conversations with a man who saw her as nothing more than an accessory.

But today, everything changed.

Defying Damien

Elena had spent the morning walking through the mansion, trying to get used to her new home. The place was massive too big for just the two of them. Every room was decorated with expensive taste, from the polished marble floors to the towering chandeliers.

But no matter how grand it was, it still felt empty.

Just like her marriage.

She found herself wandering into the kitchen, where the staff greeted her with polite nods. A kind-looking woman, probably the head housekeeper, smiled warmly.

“Good morning, Mrs. Sterling.”

Elena almost flinched at the name.

Mrs. Sterling.

It still didn’t feel real.

Before she could respond, a deep voice cut through the air.

“Elena.”

She turned to see Damien standing near the entrance, dressed in his usual sharp suit. His presence alone seemed to suck the warmth out of the room.

“We’re leaving,” he said, checking his watch. “Get ready.”

Elena frowned. “Leaving? Where?”

“I have a business meeting. You’re coming with me.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

“You don’t have to,” he replied smoothly. “It’s not a request.” Her jaw clenched.

This was exactly what she hated—being treated like a pawn in his perfect, controlled world.

“I’m not your employee, Damien,” she snapped. “You don’t get to order me around.”

Damien exhaled slowly, as if trying to hold back his frustration. “You’re my wife. Public appearances matter. You need to play your role.”

She hated how he said it.

Like she was just another task to manage.

Elena squared her shoulders. “Then find someone else to ‘play the role’ because I’m not going.”

For a moment, he just stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Then, in a low, dangerous tone, he said, “You will come, Elena. And you will behave.

She met his gaze without flinching. “Make me.”

Damien’s lips curled slightly—not in a smile, but in something far more unsettling.

“Don’t test me,” he warned.

But Elena wasn’t afraid of him.

Or at least, she refused to show it.

She lifted her chin. “Then I guess we’re at a standstill, Mr. Sterling.”

The tension between them was thick, neither willing to back down.

Finally, Damien let out a slow, deliberate sigh. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”

Elena blinked, caught off guard by his sudden retreat.

Before she could say anything, he turned on his heel and walked away.

But something told her this wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

A Public Challenge

Elena should have known Damien wouldn’t let her win so easily.

Later that evening, she was in the library, curled up with a book, when a maid hesitantly approached her.

“Mrs. Sterling,” the woman said softly. “Mr. Sterling requests your presence in the dining hall.”

Elena frowned. “Why?”

“I , I believe he has guests.”

Guests?

She stood, setting her book aside.

The moment she entered the dining hall, she knew she had walked into a trap.

Seated at the long, elegant table were several powerful men in tailored suits, their conversations polished and controlled.

And at the head of the table sat Damien, looking completely at ease.

His gaze met hers the moment she stepped inside.

“Elena,” he said smoothly, gesturing to the empty seat beside him. “Join us.”

It wasn’t a request.

She could feel all eyes on her.

He had done this on purpose.

If she refused now, it would be a public embarrassment—for both of them.

Gritting her teeth, she forced a polite smile and walked over, taking the seat next to him.

One of the men, an older gentleman with silver hair, chuckled. “Your wife is even more beautiful in person, Damien. You’re a lucky man.”

Damien gave a small, unreadable smile. “I know.”

Elena nearly rolled her eyes.

The conversation soon turned to business, and Elena sat in silence, listening to talk about investments, acquisitions, and power plays.

But then, something was said that made her blood boil.

One of the businessmen, a smug-looking man named Richard Calloway, leaned forward, smirking. “So, Elena, tell us—how does it feel to be married to the most powerful man in the city?”

The question was laced with condescension.

Like she was just a decoration.

She glanced at Damien, waiting for him to say something.

But he didn’t.

He was watching her, waiting to see what she would do.

Fine.

If he wanted to test her, she would give him a show.

Elena smiled sweetly at Richard. “Oh, it’s wonderful,” she said. “Every morning, I wake up and remind myself how lucky I am to be married to a man who treats marriage like a corporate merger.”

The table went silent, Damien’s jaw tightened slightly.

Richard chuckled awkwardly. “Ah… well, I suppose business-minded men do tend to approach things differently.”

Elena wasn’t done, She tilted her head. “Tell me, Mr. Calloway, do you believe marriage should be based on love or on strategy?”

Richard blinked, clearly not expecting to be put on the spot. “Well, I—”

“I mean,” she continued, “if marriage is just another deal, what happens when one party no longer finds it beneficial? Do they just… terminate the contract?”

Richard looked uncomfortable.

And Damien… Damien was watching her with something new in his eyes.

Something dark, Something dangerous.

“Elena,” Damien said quietly, A warning, But she ignored it.

She turned back to Richard and smiled. “It’s just a question.”

Richard cleared his throat. “Well, I, uh… I suppose every marriage is different.”

Elena nodded. “That’s true. Some are real. And some are just illusions.”

The tension at the table was thick.

Finally, Damien set his glass down with a soft clink.

“That’s enough, Elena

The authority in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

But she refused to back down.

She looked at him, meeting his gaze head-on. “Did I say something wrong, husband?”

For the first time, something in Damien’s calm façade cracked.

His eyes darkened, his jaw clenched.

The war between them had officially begun.

A Dangerous Game

After dinner, Damien wasted no time confronting her. The moment they were alone in the hallway, he turned to her, his voice low and sharp.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Elena.”

She crossed her arms. “Oh? I thought we were supposed to act like a real couple in public.”

His eyes narrowed. “You embarrassed me.

“No,” she corrected. “I embarrassed us. And maybe if you treated me like a person instead of a business asset, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Damien exhaled slowly, as if trying to hold back his temper. “You don’t want to make me your enemy, Elena.”

She took a step closer, her heart pounding. Funny. I thought we already were.”

They stood there, inches apart, locked in a silent battle. For the first time, Elena saw something beneath Damien’s cold exterior.

Something dangerous, Something intrigued.

And she realized something terrifying.

He wasn’t just angry, He was interested.

And that made him even more dangerous.