Elena's POV

Would I call what I was feeling jealous?

No.

I refuse to feel that way even though it was disappointing to know that he had a family. Nana wasn't aware of it as far as I'm concerned, or was she?

For the past two weeks, I had tried my best to keep my distance, reminding myself that what I had felt before was just an illusion.

It was a fleeting mistake that I thought there were men like him, after all, who had hearts behind those cold demeanours.

But I was wrong.

What if I was the one in her position? I wouldn't like it. With everything I had gone through, I felt and understood her pain.

Even though I knew nothing about their relationship, that night when I overheard him talking to someone threateningly, it kept playing on my mind.

Maybe she was the other one at the end of the call. Maybe not. Either way, I shouldn't care.

As a matter of fact, I shouldn't be giving a shit about his private life. Keep it low and simple.

My work here was simple: to only be his wife in the face of the public and I'll get paid.

My legs were healed now, and keeping from Alex had become much easier since he spent his time locked up in his study.

I went back to sleeping on the couch and Nana had left on a trip.

The house seemed quiet and boring without her warmth. I can't believe that an old woman like her would leave such a signature after leaving.

Vacation is over I guess. Now, I am resuming my duties as his pretend wife-to-be. I was already getting the hang of the events and stuff I needed to attend as his wife.

But despite the familiarity with my obligations, the fact that someone out there with his child was suffering in pain while I held up her position like it was nothing, was heartache.

Today, I had to take control of my life back one way or the other, and today, I don't care whether he likes the job or not; that's his problem. I was going to find something to do.

Luckily I found a coffee shop that has a vacancy. It might be small but it's a start.

Excited, I prepared to head out only to be stopped by his guards at the gate.

" Ma'am, we can't let you leave," one of them said firmly.

" Why not?" I asked, frustrated

" Mr Alex orders ma'am"

I insisted, then begged, but they wouldn't budge.

Unless I got a permit from their boss, I couldn't leave the mansion.

This was the last straw.

Fueled by anger, I stormed into Alex's study without knocking.

“Alex!” I shouted, slamming the door behind me “ Why do I still need your permission before leaving the house?”

He looked at me with those looks of when we first started leaving together. Those cold, emotionless eyes glared back at me with no care in the world.

His eyes narrowed, his pen still in his hands.

“ Answer me, Alex! I'm tired of living under your ridiculous rules. If this was all it was going to be I might as well quit this little charade we're playing”

“ What's wrong with you?” He asked, calm but icy.

“ What's wrong with me?” I scoffed “ I am tired of your irresponsible, controlling behaviour that isn't necessary. You know, why do I have to even listen to you? Because of the contract?” I paused for him to answer, but I didn't let him before continuing, “ bullshit, let's reschedule this whole arrangement. Because I'm tired Alex I'm fucking tired of going here and there by you”

His gaze hardened as he sat back, crossing his arms. “Finished?”

I clenched my feast, the frustration growing gradually within me. “Yes, I’m finished. Unless you have a reasonable answer for why I need your permission to breathe, I'm done with this”

He stood up, slowly, his expression unreadable as he approached me. “You agreed to this arrangement." He said, his voice low and deliberate "So, as long as you’re under my roof, you follow my rules.”

I laughed bitterly. “Your roof? You mean your prison. I thought I’d be playing the role of your wife, not your prisoner.”

His eyes narrowed. “A prison? Is that really what you think?”

“Yes! A prison, Alex. You don’t even trust me enough to let me walk out of the gate without guards like I’m some criminal under watch.”

He took a deep breath as if weighing his words carefully. “This isn’t about trust. It’s about safety.”

I shook my head, anger boiling over. “Safety?" I shot back, "Safety or control? Because if it’s safety, then I assure you I'm not your main responsibility”

There was a meaning behind those last words, but I knew he wouldn’t get the meaning.

I could see his jaw clench, the tension in his face tightening as he struggled to hold back a retort. For a moment, he seemed almost vulnerable, a flash of something raw in his eyes—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that familiar icy stare.

“ Elena, listen” he began

“ Don't bother” I interrupted, turning on my heels

“Elena.”

The sound of my name stopped us both in our tracks. I turned around, expecting to see Nana or maybe one of the staff. But when my gaze landed on the figure just sitting by the Conner, the air seemed to freeze.

I widened my eyes “Nick…” I breathed my voice barely a whisper. The anger boiling with me was replaced by shock.

“ Been a long time, hasn't it?” a smirk played on his lips.

" Wha…what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.