A Week Later

Aliyah's eyes narrowed in confusion as she looked around the room after waking up. Marion was asleep on the couch. How on earth did she end up in bed? The last thing she remembered was eating the food the maid had brought. There was only one person who might have moved her, Marion.

Did he…? she wondered, then shook her head. She was probably overthinking things. Maybe she’d fallen asleep on the couch and he'd carried her to bed. That was all.

“Looks like someone’s having a morning battle with herself,” Marion’s voice cut through the quiet.

Aliyah flinched at the sound and turned to him.

“Good morning,” he muttered, sitting up on the couch.

“How did I get on the bed?” she asked, ignoring his greeting.

“You sleepwalked there, I guess,” he replied with a shrug, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Aliyah frowned. “I don’t sleepwalk.”

“I know,” he said, chuckling. “I was just kidding. I carried you to the bed. You really need to eat more, you were as light as a feather.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “And what did you do after that? Where did you sleep?”

“On the couch, of course. Wasn’t that where you saw me?” His brows furrowed slightly. “What were you thinking? I’m no saint, like you said, but I’d never take advantage of a woman. I’m not that kind of person.”

“I didn’t say you would,” she countered quickly.

“No, you didn’t. But your questions did.” He let out a dry laugh. “You think of me as the devil, right? Yesterday, I walked into the room and saw you on the floor. You must’ve rolled off the couch in your sleep, again. I gave up my bed for you, but all I get are suspicions. How cool.”

Aliyah’s expression softened with guilt. He was right. Marion had helped her, yet all she’d done was accuse and doubt him. She knew she was a restless sleeper. It wasn’t surprising that she’d ended up on the floor.

“You’re right,” she murmured. “You deserve a thank you. And… an apology. For the things I said yesterday, and this morning too. I’m sorry. No one deserves to be cheated. And thank you, for the food and for carrying me to the bed.”

She kept her gaze down, not wanting to see the smug expression she was sure was spreading across his face.

“Apology accepted. And you don’t have to thank me,” Marion said, a huge grin forming. “I’d do anything for you, wifey.”

Her head snapped up, her nose scrunching as she scowled at him. “Marion, don’t you think you’re taking this marriage too seriously? It means nothing to me, and I know it’s the same for you.”

His smile didn’t waver. “But it could mean something, right? Don’t you think?”

Aliyah narrowed her eyes. “I’m in no mood for your jokes,” she muttered, pushing the covers aside and scrambling out of bed.

Marion leaned back slightly, watching Aliyah move across the room with mild amusement. Her irritation was almost theatrical, and if he were honest, he found it entertaining. But beneath that tough exterior, he saw glimpses of someone deeply hurt, wounded by people who should have protected her.

Aliyah avoided his gaze, rummaging through her wardrobe for something to wear. She wanted distance. From him. From this situation. From this marriage. And Marion? He was making that incredibly difficult.

He stood up slowly, stretching his arms over his head before walking to the door.

“I’ll be downstairs,” he said casually, voice lower than usual. “Breakfast will be ready soon. Come down if you’re hungry, or don’t. Your call.”

Aliyah didn’t respond. She stood still, her back to him, waiting until she heard the door click shut behind him.

Only then did she release the breath she’d been holding. Marion was confusing, infuriating one moment and gentle the next. That whiplash of emotions was exactly why she didn’t want to let her guard down. Not now. Not ever.

After a quick shower, Aliyah changed into a pale blue dress and stepped out of the room. The long hallway stretched before her, too quiet for such a large house. When she reached the staircase, she paused, her hand resting on the mahogany railing. From below, the scent of warm bread and spices drifted up, teasing her stomach into a low rumble.

She followed the scent to the dining area where she found Marion seated at the head of the table, casually scrolling through his phone. The moment he noticed her, he set it down.

“Look who decided to join me,” he remarked, standing up.

Aliyah ignored his playful tone and sat in the chair farthest from him.

“Where’s everyone else?” she asked, reaching for a glass of water.

“My mom left early this morning for some charity event. Emma’s out shopping. We’ve got the whole house to ourselves,” he replied, watching her with a knowing smile.

“Wonderful,” she muttered, taking a sip of water.

One of the maids entered and served them breakfast, omelettes, toast, and fresh fruit. Aliyah muttered a soft thank you before digging in. She was starving and had no intention of starving herself just to avoid a conversation with Marion.

But silence, as usual, didn’t last long with him.

“I meant what I said earlier, Aliyah,” Marion began, voice softer than before. “This marriage doesn’t have to be a war zone. We could try being civil… maybe even try being friends.”

Aliyah looked up from her plate, her fork pausing midair.

“Friends?” she echoed, arching a brow. “You and me?”

He gave a shrug. “Why not?”

“History, Marion. Because the past isn’t so easily erased.”

“And yet here we are,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. “Married. Living in the same house. Eating omelettes.”

Her lips twitched before she caught herself. No smiling. Not with him.

“We’ll see,” she muttered, returning to her food.

Later that day...

Aliyah sat in the garden behind the mansion, needing a moment alone. She’d found an old bench nestled beneath a blooming hibiscus tree and sat there with her journal in hand, scribbling words she couldn’t say aloud.

The events of the past few days felt surreal. One moment, she was just Kylie’s invisible cousin, now she was Marion Brews' wife. Not by love, but by circumstance. And now, Marion wanted peace? Friendship? Was that even possible?

The sound of footsteps approaching made her grip her pen tighter.

“Didn’t think I’d find you here,” Marion said, stepping into view.

“Apparently, you find me everywhere,” she replied without looking up.

He didn’t deny it. “I just wanted to tell you something.”

Aliyah glanced up, finally meeting his eyes.

“My mom will be back tomorrow,” he continued. “And I figured you should know, she’s not exactly a fan of sudden changes. So don’t take it personally if she’s… less than welcoming.”

“Noted,” she said flatly. “Thanks for the warning.”

There was a pause.

“I’m trying here, Aliyah,” Marion added, sounding more sincere than usual.

She looked at him for a long moment. He looked… tired. Not the cocky guy who teased her endlessly, not the smug groom from the wedding, but someone real. Human.

“Try all you want, Marion. But don’t expect me to fall for it.”

Then she stood and walked away, leaving him staring after her.