Chapter 83

ALISHA POV.

But I hadn’t. I’d never seen anything like this in my life. Growing up, luxury was a word that belonged in magazines or on television…not in my reality. And yet, here I was.

I spotted men in suits standing at strategic points around the property, their eyes sharp and alert. Each of them held a walkie-talkie, their presence a reminder of the kind of world Richard lived in…a world where wealth demanded security.

This isn’t just wealth, I thought, my mind racing. This is power.

Richard maneuvered the car into a spacious parking garage, the kind that could easily fit at least ten cars. The air was cool and smelled faintly of polished metal and fresh paint.

He parked the car with practiced ease and cut the engine.

As soon as the car stopped, one of the suited men approached and opened Richard’s door. Richard stepped out gracefully, his movements confident and natural.

Another man, equally sharp in his black suit, approached my side of the car and opened my door. I hesitated for a second, unsure of how to act.

“Thank you,” I muttered as I stepped out, feeling the man’s eyes briefly assess me and my fake injured face and hand before he stepped back into position.

I looked at Richard, who was already walking toward the entrance of the mansion. His stride was purposeful, and he didn’t look back.

Taking a deep breath, I hurried to follow him, my heels clicking softly against the smooth pavement.

My mind raced as I trailed behind him. This is it, Alisha. You’re not just some nobody anymore. You’re here, walking into a life you’ve only dreamed of. Don’t mess this up.

But even as I tried to steady myself, doubts crept in. What if I said something stupid? What if his mother didn’t like me? What if…

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. Focus. One step at a time.

As we approached the entrance, the doors opened automatically, revealing an interior that was just as breathtaking as the exterior.

The marble floors gleamed under the soft light of an enormous chandelier, and the walls were adorned with art pieces that looked like they belonged in a museum.

I tried not to gawk, but it was impossible. Every corner of the house screamed elegance and sophistication. I felt like an imposter just standing there.

Richard walked ahead of me, his posture relaxed as if this was all completely normal…which, of course, it was for him. For me, it was like stepping into another world.

“Keep up,” he said over his shoulder, his voice calm but firm.

“Right,” I said, quickening my pace.

As I followed him deeper into the house, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander again. This could be your life, Alisha, a voice in my head whispered.

If you play your cards right, you could belong here. Forget Nadia’s plan…this is your chance to rewrite your future.

If only I could get Richard to have sex with me then I will bore his child and become also part of the inheritance of the Garrison wealth.

But then another thought crept in, darker and more pressing. What if they find out? What if Richard discovers the phone I had hid or the recorder under his desk?

No he cannot find out about the phone because the last time I checked his office there wasn't a camera and I had lied to Richard when we were out of his office.

And he was about to lock his office door when I lied to him that I would like to use his office toilet. That was when I had taken the phone back. Another voice in my head said.

I clenched my fists, trying to shake off the anxiety. I needed to stay calm, to focus on the moment. Whatever happened, I’d deal with it when the time came. I try to assure myself.

We passed through a grand hallway, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly.

My eyes darted to the intricate details of the decor…the gold accents on the furniture, the soft velvet drapes, the vases filled with fresh flowers. Everything was perfect, untouched, like a scene from a movie.

Richard didn’t say much as we walked, but I could feel his presence, commanding and assured. He was so different from anyone I’d ever known. He carried himself with a confidence that was both intimidating and captivating.

How does someone become like that? I wondered. Was he born into it, or did he earn it?

I barely noticed when we reached the next set of doors until Richard stopped in front of them. He turned to look at me, his expression unreadable.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice calm but with an edge of expectation.

“Of course,” I said quickly, forcing a smile.

But the truth was, I wasn’t ready. Not for this house, not for his world, and certainly not for whatever was waiting for me on the other side of those doors.

As Richard pushed the doors open and stepped inside, I took a deep breath and followed him, my heart pounding in my chest.

RICHARD POV

As I led Alisha through the grand hallways of my family home, I couldn’t help but notice how quiet she had become.

She walked a step behind me, her eyes darting to every corner of the house as if she were trying to absorb every detail.

I wondered what was going through her mind but didn’t ask.

We finally reached the living room, a space that had always felt both comforting and overwhelming to me.

The high ceilings, ornate furniture, and massive chandelier overhead made it look more like a museum than a home. But before I could say anything to Alisha, my mother’s voice broke the silence.

“Richard!”

I turned just in time to see her rushing toward me, her arms wide open. She wrapped me in a tight hug, her familiar perfume filling my senses.

“My darling boy,” she said, pulling back just enough to cup my face. “You’ve been away too long.”