~Sebastian's POV~

Her voice filled my room, making it hard for me to fall asleep and that infuriated me even more.

"Argh, this is going to be a long night." I grunted to myself as sleep slowly creeped in, Still all I could hear was the sound of her, moaning out his name like the cheap fool she was.

And then there was silence, finally.

The housekeepers were more than capable of preparing breakfast, but I wasn't a fan of their oily and greasy food.

I made my way to the kitchen, expecting to find it empty at this early hour. Instead, I walked in to find her standing at the stove, an apron tied around her slender waist. The sight was… unexpected.

Her long strawberry blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun exposing her soft warm neck, and she moved with so much ease as she cooked.

"So the gold digger cooks?" I sarcastically called out.

Then she turned.

Her dark blue eyes locked onto mine, sharp and assessing. I hadn't noticed how weirdly pretty she looked. Her pupils were slightly larger than normal, giving her an almost otherworldly look, somewhat like a fairy or pixie. Even though I knew she had lied her way to my father's heart and bank account, her gentle face said otherwise.

I quickly scoffed as I tried to hide my shocked reaction .“Why are you here? Trying to impress my dad?”

She slowly folded her arms. “No. I’m here to make breakfast. Besides, I could ask you the same thing. Why are you here? Do you even know how to cook or are you here to annoy me...”

My expression shifted for a split second, as I felt something flickering behind my eyes. Irritation.. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, I sighed. “My mom taught me.”

She raised a brow. “ohh.”

I ignored her and turned towards the counter to get my self my favorite cereal.

Although..

The dish she was making looked foreign to me.

“What are you making?”

Bella’s expression hardened as she glanced at me again. Her voice was cold and flat. “Don’t try to establish a connection between us. I want nothing to do with you.”

I leaned against the counter, and ate my breakfast as I watched her.

A few minutes later, she finished. Without uttering a single word, she untied the apron, set the plate down on a tray, carried it, and walked towards the dining table, not sparing me a second glance.

I let out a slow breath. "Pathetic"

I got to work immediately, deciding on a European dish.. something simple yet refined. The kitchen filled with the warm aroma of butter and herbs as I carefully plated the meal.

Once satisfied, I called out for a maid to take it to my room but for some weird reason I got no answer.

The moment I entered the dining room I noticed that my father was already sitting with a phone pressed to his ear. His expression was unreadable, his voice calm as usual

“Yes… Go ahead and do it now.”

Then he hung up.

Business. Always business, only the heavens knew how he had managed to get himself someone like Bella.. weren't his age mates good enough for him?.

“Good morning, darling,” I heard Bella murmur as she approached us, then leaned down to place a soft kiss on his forehead. She had changed into a nice long summer dress and her weird colored hair was no longer in a bun.

He looked up at her, his brown eyes warmer than usual as he reached out to kiss her lips.

Urgh... Disgusting

“I prepared breakfast for you and I.” she sweetly said while I looked away in disgust.

"Thank you, Bella. You’re so sweet," the old man murmured back to her as she sat down.

“There’s an upcoming world competition for the best pianist,” she sweetly said, excitement creeping into her voice. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of competing in. I—”

My Father's expression darkened almost immediately. “No.”

“What?” she quickly interrupted him while I took a sip of my apple juice, ready for the show that was about to begin.

“I don’t want you to perform anymore.” he coldly spoke

And a heavy silence settled in between them as I swallowed a spoonful of my lentil stew.

“What do you mean?” she asked, and I made myself feel extra comfortable. “You said I could still perform. That was the agreement—”

“That was when you were just my employee,” he cut in sharply. “Now you’re my wife. Do you know how filthy it would be for my wife to perform for people like some common entertainer?”

"Oh wow..." I whispered to myself, as I was a hundred percent sure his words struck her like a hot slap.

'Its a shame if she didn't know the real face of the man she married', I thought inwardly as a small smile creeped on my face.

"Trouble in paradise already?" I mused as my gaze darted between the both of them.. amusement apparent in my stormy grey eyes.

They ignored me completely but I could feel my father's anger grow.

“I’ve always wanted to compete. Why would you look down on the very thing that made you attracted to me in the first place?” she continued speaking her voice sounded like a hundred broken gutters.

Father exhaled slowly, as he rubbed his temple before looking at her dead in the face with an unchanging stare like the heartless monster he was.

“How much is the reward money?”

She frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’ll send it to you—ten times over,” he declared, his voice dripping with authority.

Well I couldn't say I was shocked, he even tried to keep the conversation this smooth and long.

“I don’t want the money, Antonio! I’m telling you that I...”

“Enough.” His chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly, his gaze turning icy.

“There’s nothing more to discuss. I’m done eating. I have lost my appetite.”

And just like that, he walked out and I burst into an array of laughter as I watched her shocked expression...

She slowly pushed back her chair and hurried after him.

“Leaving already? That was quick.” I sarcastically asked

She made her way after her so called husband but when she flashed me an angry gaze, I saw it... Tears.

And for some reason I felt something stir inside of me.