Some secrets burn hotter than the truth.

“Spying on me now, Mrs. Caven?” My heart leapt into my throat at the sound of Voss’s voice.

I spun around, hands trembling over the laptop keyboard, every nerve in my body on fire.

“I wasn’t spying,” I shot back, though my voice wasn’t as steady as I wished.

“Mmm.” He mumbled.

Every inch of him radiated a quiet, dangerous control as he stepped into the room.

I could feel anger like a furnace fueling up my veins as my mind went back to the video.

“What is this though? Why do you have the original video?” He brushed me out of the way and slammed the laptop shut without saying a single word.

He was about leaving when I spread my hands across the doorway, my eyes shimmering with defiance.

“I don't know what your plan is but if you already had this video, it would have been a great disclaimer and I wouldn't be in this. Tell me, Mr Caven, what exactly is your endgame?” I yelled.

He kept coming closer till there was no space between us but I held his gaze.

This isn't the time to back down.

“You know, I can't help but think you tricked my father into all of this. Perhaps, you didn't even want to marry my sister and found a way to blow it. And I wouldn't be so shocked if you orchestrated all of this. Did you plan this?” I asked as the thoughts rushed into my head, tilting my head to a side and he lowered his head till it was a few inches away from my face.

And in the next second, he lifted my jaw to meet his eyes with his fingers and his lips slammed over mine.

In a kiss…that I was least expecting.

All thoughts shot out of my head, the only thing filling up my mind right now is—

Why does he taste like dust and cigarettes?

I was about forcefully detaching when his right hand wrapped over my waist and pulled me in closer, trapping me while I punched at his broad chest.

It didn't seem to do anything though.

So I bit him. Hard. Till I drew blood out of his fucking lips.

He pulled away instantly, muttering a swear word underneath his breath as he caressed his lips while looking at me with a smug expression.

“Damn! You talk too damn much, had to shut you up somehow.” I blinked. Once. Twice.

What was saying just now?

“Now that you're quiet, I can actually speak and hear myself out. Playtime's over, Saskia and I don't appreciate anyone in fact coming to my study.” I was about opening my mouth to say something when he snapped his fingers and I heard footsteps approaching us.

“Miss Denver, would you be so kind as to show my new bride to her wing? She's interrupting my space.”

My breath caught in her throat as the lady looked visibly shaken and frightened at his presence.

“Yes, sir.” The woman stated.

Her sharp eyes flicked over me in one go, taking me in like I was a trespassing ghost.

It looked like she was pleading for me to come with her.

That wasn't in my agenda. I wasn't done with Voss yet.

“You can go.” Voss ordered without looking at her. His gaze stayed locked on me as though he didn’t trust me not to pry further if left alone in his study.

“This isn’t over.” I snapped and turned in the direction of Miss Denver who let out a quiet sigh, obviously grateful I hadn't acted stubborn.

How does he treat his workers for them to behave this way? Like he was some kind of monster.

“Oh, I’m sure.” Voss replied, stepping into his study and shutting the door.

The housekeeper stepped aside, gesturing toward the east part of the wing.

The moment we crossed into the room where Miss Denver had taken me, I let the door click shut behind me and inhaled deeply, trying to wrestle my emotions into order.

That kiss…

No, no, I'd rather not think about it.

“My name is Miss Denver.” She started as though I hadn't already heard Voss bark her name.

“You must have seen many like me.” I challenged bitterly.

“Brides? Wives? Whatever this is.” Her lips curved up into a tiny smile as she let her gaze linger on me for a little while before exhaling loudly.

“Few last long enough to warrant either title. But, welcome home, Mrs Caven.” She replied in a soothing voice.

Almost like she was trying to comfort me, or warn me. I don't know which it is.

“Is that supposed to scare me? And could you please not address me as Mrs Caven? This is just a contract and I'd be out of here the instant it expires.” My voice had lowered now and I slumped onto the bed, blinking back the tears and trying to filter out the questions.

“You strike me as someone who doesn’t scare easily.” Denver replied. “But this house… this family. Being scared might keep you alive and I don't think you're going to be able to walk away from this marriage that easily but I wish you good luck.”.

She gave me a knowing look before heading for the door.

“You’re telling me to be careful?”

“I’m telling you to pay attention.” She said.

“This entire area is your wing, you can choose to sleep in any room aligned in this area up to the rounding corner. You can't go beyond it though.” She announced.

“You’ll find what you need.” Miss Denver said once she pushed open the door.

“Dinner is at seven. Don’t make him wait.”

She banged the door behind her but a s Cindy later, the handles were creaking and Miss Denver's face popped right from behind the door.

“And one last thing.” She added, her voice barely a whisper. “Voss Caven is not the kind of man you provoke without a plan.”

Then she was gone.

A plan.

That was what I needed. A plan to get out of this, to confront Voss on my own terms.

And somehow, I knew the video on his laptop was the key. Did dad know that he knew? Bet he didn't. I could use that to my benefit.

I heard a buzz on the bedside table and I turned to see my purse on top of it. Right. I had dropped my things outside and the housekeepers, which are by the way rare to see, must have arranged it.

I furrowed through it and found my phone and immediately I dialed my dad's contact.

It was as though he was expecting the call because he picked it right up on the first ring.

“Dad?” I called out and he grunted, his own way of letting me know he was listening.

“I know you probably don't want to hear from me but I have something to tell you. Voss Caven knows I was set up that night. He has the original video from the CCTV.” I broke the news like a bombshell.

“Did he coerce you into doing this? Because if he did —” I was saying when dad abruptly interrupted.

“Saskia.” A smile spread across my face, that must have been shoking for him. He didn't know.

Voss Caven isn't who we thought he is.

Great!

“Oh Saskai, you're so dramatic. That's not new information.”