The silence in the car was suffocating.
The glow of the city lights bounced off the tinted windows, painting fleeting shadows across Alina's face. She kept her eyes on the passing blur outside, arms crossed, her mind replaying Grandfather Xu's words over and over.
"He's not as heartless as he acts..."
She wanted to believe that.
But Leonard Xu had mastered the art of indifference. It was stitched into the way he carried himself, in his words, in his silences. He didn't speak once during the entire drive back. Not even when she stumbled slightly as she stepped out of the car at their penthouse.
Not even when she said, "Good night."
She went straight to her room, but she didn't sleep.
Something inside her had changed tonight. Maybe it was how everyone looked at her—like she didn't belong, like she was a placeholder in a role too big for her. Or maybe it was how Leonard introduced her—as someone "quiet, smart, loyal."
He made her sound like a dog.
The next morning, Alina woke up early again. Old habits. She went into the kitchen and was surprised to see Leonard already gone.
No note. No breakfast this time. No anything.
Just a cold, untouched coffee mug on the table.
But what caught her attention was the newspaper beside it.
XU CORPORATION ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ZHOU GROUPBeneath the headline was a photo. Leonard shaking hands with a tall, elegant woman.
Her heart paused for a second.
The woman had high cheekbones, crimson lips, and that subtle grace that screamed wealth and confidence. And in that photo, Leonard was... smiling.
A real one.
Alina flipped the page and found the name.
Celeste Zhou. CEO of Zhou Group. Rumored to be Leonard Xu's former fiancée.
Her stomach dropped.
The rest of the day passed in an uncomfortable haze. Alina tried reading, cleaning, even rearranging the flowers in the hallway, but nothing eased the unease gnawing at her chest.
By evening, the sound of the elevator chiming announced Leonard's return.
She waited in the living room, calm on the outside, while her insides twisted into knots.
He stepped in, removing his coat as if the world hadn't just reminded her she was the second choice.
"Long day?" she asked, keeping her tone light.
Leonard glanced at her. "You could say that."
"Big meeting with Zhou Group?"
He paused. Just for a second. But it was enough.
"She's a potential investor. Nothing more."
Alina raised the newspaper. "She's also your ex."
His jaw tensed. "You've been reading tabloids?"
"It was on your breakfast table."
He walked past her toward the kitchen. "It's irrelevant."
"Is it?" she said, following him. "Because the media doesn't seem to think so. And frankly, neither do I."
Leonard turned slowly, eyes locked on hers. "You're not here to be jealous, Alina. This is a contractual marriage."
"Yes, and I agreed to it. But that doesn't mean I enjoy being humiliated."
"No one's humiliating you."
Alina's voice hardened. "You smiled in that photo. I've been living in this penthouse for four days and haven't seen you smile once. But she shows up, and suddenly, you're a damn toothpaste model."
His lips twitched. "You're angry."
"No. I'm insulted."
Leonard placed both hands on the kitchen counter, leaning forward slightly. "You knew what this was. I told you not to expect anything else."
"You also said I needed to play my role. Be your wife. Be presentable. Attend your family dinners. But what are you doing, Leonard? Are you really keeping up your end of the performance?"
His gaze darkened. "Watch your tone."
"Or what?"
He stepped forward, and for a second, Alina thought he was going to yell.
But instead, he said something that shook her more.
"She left me a week before our engagement was announced to the press. She walked away and didn't look back. I owe her nothing."
Alina froze.
Leonard's expression gave nothing away, but his voice—just for that one moment—was raw.
"So don't think I'm smiling because of her," he added. "I smile when the contract is signed, not for the people behind it."
The wall went back up immediately after.
"I have an event tomorrow night. A corporate gala. Wear something gold. I'll send a dress."
And just like that, he left her in the kitchen with her heart still racing.
The next evening came faster than expected.
The gold dress arrived in a white garment bag, tailored to perfection. Off-shoulder, fitted bodice, and a mermaid silhouette that hugged her curves like second skin. Alina stared at it for a long moment before changing.
She applied light makeup, wore diamond drop earrings, and tied her hair into a soft updo.
When Leonard saw her in the foyer, his eyes flicked up and down, quickly but noticeably.
"You look... appropriate," he said.
She rolled her eyes. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The gala was held in a five-star hotel ballroom—grand chandeliers, live orchestra, champagne flowing like water. Every pair of eyes turned to them as they walked in.
Leonard Xu and his new wife.
Whispers followed them.
"Is that the girl who married him out of nowhere?""She doesn't look like someone from his world.""She must've trapped him."
Alina tried to ignore them.
But then—Celeste Zhou appeared.
Dressed in blood-red velvet, her lips curled in a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Leonard," she purred, gliding toward them. "You're here."
Leonard nodded politely. "Celeste."
Alina stood beside him, stiff.
Celeste's eyes flicked toward her. "And this must be your... lovely wife."
"Alina," Leonard said. "This is Ms. Zhou."
Celeste offered a hand. "I've heard so much about you."
"Only good things, I hope," Alina replied, shaking it.
Celeste leaned in slightly. "Let me give you a piece of advice, woman to woman."
Alina arched a brow.
"Leonard's heart isn't easily touched. Don't bleed for someone who's already frozen inside."
Alina smiled sweetly. "Thank you. But I'm not here to thaw him. I'm here to make sure the ice doesn't crack."
Celeste blinked. For the first time, she seemed caught off guard.
Leonard cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse us."
He took Alina's arm and guided her away, his grip firm.
"You handled that well," he muttered.
"I don't need you to say that."
"Good. Because I wasn't trying to compliment you."
She laughed, soft and bitter. "You're insufferable, you know that?"
He didn't answer. But the corners of his mouth tilted—just slightly.
They danced once. For show.
His hand on her waist, hers on his shoulder, the music wrapping them in a façade neither was ready to admit felt too real.
"You don't trust easily, do you?" she asked.
"No."
"Not even your wife?"
He didn't answer right away.
Then, quietly, "Trust is earned. And this marriage—this arrangement—isn't built on trust."
"What's it built on then?"
He looked down at her. "Control."
She exhaled slowly. "And what happens when you can't control me?"
Leonard's eyes gleamed. "Then things will get... interesting."