The night dragged on longer than I thought possible. Laughter echoed, glasses clinked and the music was buzzing again and again. But I wasn't happy. I smiled because I had to not because I was pleased. All I felt was loneliness in the crowd and Asher’s hand rested on my back— firm, polite but no longer warm.

“We need to leave now,” Asher whispered to me as he guided me to the outside of the hall. The night air was cool, and it carried a faint scent of roses from the garden. A black car was already waiting. The driver was holding the door open. I slid inside, the silk of my gown brushing against my legs, and I folded my hands on my lap. Asher followed, sitting on his side of the backseat, his gaze fixed on his phone. No smile. Nothing.

I kept my hands folded on my lap, turning my ring around my finger, seeing it on my fingers felt so strange. My throat felt dry, but I didn't dare break the silence.

He didn't ask if I was tired, or if I was okay. He didn't even look my way.

It was as if I wasn't in the car with him.

I stole a glance at him, and he was completely focused on typing on his phone. I looked at his wedding band and remembered how I slid it onto his finger in front of everyone. To them, it looked like a promise. To me, it was a reminder that all these were just an arrangement.

“You won't be seen with other men again,” he said suddenly, eyes still on his screen. “Do you understand me?”

His voice was calm. Too calm. Like someone giving orders to a subordinate.

What he said hurt, not because of the rule but the way he said it to me— like I was just a possession not a woman who had just become his wife.

I stared at my window, admiring the city lights and hoping this brightness would calm my nervousness. “It wasn't like that,” I murmured.

“I don't care what it was like,” he replied, finally turning his head towards me. I stared back. His eyes were cool, unreadable. “My appearance matters. From now on, you represent me. And I don't tolerate a shadow on my image.”

“I wasn't trying to—”

“Do you understand? Elena,” he cut me off, his tone firm, final.

That name again. It felt foreign anytime it left his lips.

“Yes,” I whispered, lowering my gaze. I turned to the window and my reflection stared back at me. Perfect hair. Perfect makeup. Perfect lie. For a moment I thought of my father. I wish he could comfort me right now. If he could see me now, he would say I looked beautiful.

When we finally arrived at his mansion, Asher got out first. He didn't wait or glance back, he just extended his hands. His grip was steady but there was no warmth in it. Just duty. I took it anyway, because what choice did I have?

I looked at the mansion and it was flawless. It wasn’t just a house—it was a fortress. Tall gates, white stone, glass walls glowing against the night. Everything screamed power and wealth, but none of this felt like home.

Inside, the house was breathtaking. Chandeliers sparkled above, the floor was marble, and the paintings that were lined on the walls looked made the house look like a gallery. Everything screamed perfection.

The housekeeper greeted us. She was a woman dressed in white and black, and she looked like she was in her late forties.

“Welcome home, Sir, Ma’am,” the housekeeper greeted.

Asher gave her a curt nod. He didn't even glance at me as he said, “Show her to her own room at the master's suite.”

I blinked. “My room?”

His eyes met mine for the first time since we got into the house. “You didn't think we'd be sharing one, did you?”

I forced a small smile, it's not like I wanted to be in the same space as him anyway. “Of course not.”

He turned away without saying anything else.

I stood there, rooted until the housekeeper gestured politely towards the stairs. I followed her in silence.

My room was beautiful, too beautiful. High ceilings, soft gold lighting, beige walls with a touch of light pink, a silk white sheet on a bed big enough for two. A vanity set, a balcony overlooking the whole area. Everything screamed elegance.

I sank on the edge of the bed, pulling out my phone. I dialed the nurse's number.

She picked up on the second ring. “Savannah?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, curling my knees up to my chest. “How is he?”

“Resting. He's been quiet today, but he asked for you.”

Tears filled my eyes at her words. “Tell him I'm….. I'm fine. Tell him not to worry.”

“I will,” she promised.

When the call ended, I pressed the phone to my heart and cried for my father. That's why I am here. Why I'm pretending. Why I am enduring Asher's silence was all because of my father. His life mattered more than mine.

A knock startled me. I jumped, quickly wiping my face. “Come in,” I replied.

The same housekeeper from before walked in.

“Mr Maximilian wants to see you in his study,” the housekeeper replied politely.

Why?

I followed the maid down the hall. Our footsteps were quiet. I was a bit relieved after I changed my heels to these comfy flip flops. We got to a huge open room. The study was dim, bookshelves lining the walls, the faint smell of black coffee in the air.

Asher stood by the window close to a huge desk, a mug in his hand. He didn’t look at me when I entered, he just stared outside the window.

The housekeeper gave me a small bow and walked out, shutting the doors behind her.

“You asked for me?” I asked softly.

Asher didn’t turn immediately, he took a sip from his coffee and placed it back on his desk. The silence was so long that I started to play nervously with my feet.

Finally, he spoke.

“Sit.”

I hesitated but moved toward the chair in front of his desk. I sat down and folded my hands together on my lap to keep them from shaking.

He looked at me. “Do you know what is expected of you?”

I coughed a little. “You mean…. As your wife?”

“Yes. As my wife,” he respected firmly. He leaned against the wall, folding his arms. “You will smile when I need you to smile. You will speak when spoken to. You will stand by my side at every event. The world believes in this marriage and I won’t allow a single crack in that image.”

His words were like ice.

I wanted to defend myself, to tell him I wasn’t as fragile as he thought my voice felt stuck in my chest.

“Asher,” I whispered, my lips trembling. “I'm not trying to embarrass you, I just…” I hesitated forcing the tears back. “This is all new to me.”

“Then you have to learn quickly. Weakness has no place here. Elena.”

Elena. That name again. Anytime he says it I feel myself disappearing more and more.

I looked down at my hands, twisting the ring on my finger. “And if I fail as a contract wife?” I asked before I could stop myself.

His silence made me regret the question instantly. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me.

“Don’t fail” his voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in those words. “Because if you do….. the consequences won’t fall on you alone.”

My heart skipped painfully. He’s talking about my father. Asher didn’t know the truth about the switch but his words felt like a direct threat to the very reason I was here. My father.

I nodded quickly. “I understand.”

He studied me for a while, his eyes searching mine. Then he stepped back, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.

“You may go.”

I rose slowly, forcing my legs to move even though they felt heavy. At the door I paused. Something in me wanted to speak, to push back, to tell him I wasn’t just a mask for his image.

But instead, I walked out quietly. But before I closed the study door, his phone rang. I stopped, stood for a while in silence and the only words I heard as I was about to close the door were.

“She belongs here now.”

The words sank into me.

He’s talking about me….. isn’t he?

Or maybe…..maybe he wasn't.