The ride to Adrian Wolfe Blackwood's estate was silent except for the low hum of the car engine. Lila sat stiffly in the leather seat, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She had imagined what Adrian's home might look like, but the reality far exceeded her thoughts. When the car finally slowed and turned into a long driveway lined with neatly trimmed hedges and glowing lanterns, her heart skipped.
Through the tinted glass, she caught sight of towering gates sliding open, guarded by men in black suits. The car rolled forward, and the view widened into a sprawling mansion. The building rose like something out of a dream—modern yet regal, with shining glass windows, balconies wrapped in delicate ironwork, and wide lawns dotted with statues. Even at night, the mansion seemed alive, its windows glowing warmly against the dark sky.
Lila swallowed hard, pressing her palms against her knees. She didn't want to show Adrian her nerves, but every inch of her body buzzed with unease. How could someone like her—who had spent her life struggling to pay bills, rushing between jobs, and sharing a small apartment with her family—fit into this world of unshakable wealth and power?
The car stopped smoothly in front of the grand entrance. The doors opened at once as the household staff rushed forward. Two men in suits bowed slightly as Adrian stepped out, his tall figure commanding without a word. Lila followed hesitantly, and the cold night air brushed against her skin. She lifted her gaze to the mansion's doors—tall double panels of polished wood with golden handles.
Inside, the world only grew more overwhelming.
Crystal chandeliers dangled above her head, scattering light that bounced off the polished marble floors. A grand staircase curved elegantly on either side of the wide hall, lined with a red velvet carpet. On the walls, paintings in gilded frames seemed to watch her every move, and fresh flowers in vases filled the air with a faint, expensive fragrance.
She didn't know where to rest her eyes first. Everything screamed wealth, taste, and refinement. Lila's lips parted slightly, though she tried to keep her expression neutral. Adrian walked calmly ahead, his hand in his pocket, every step of his long strides steady and sure, as though this world belonged to him entirely.
A woman dressed in a crisp black uniform approached. "Welcome home, sir," she greeted softly, bowing her head. Then her eyes flicked briefly to Lila, and though she said nothing, there was a subtle shift in her expression—a look of surprise, quickly masked by professionalism.
Adrian simply gave a nod before turning slightly. "Follow me," he said to Lila, his voice low and direct.
She obeyed, trailing behind him as he led her down a wide hallway. The soft carpet under her shoes muffled their footsteps, and for a brief moment, the silence between them felt heavier than ever.
When they stopped, Adrian pushed open a door and gestured for her to enter.
It was their room.
The space was massive—larger than the living room and kitchen of her family's apartment combined. A king-sized bed sat in the center, its sheets an immaculate white, framed by dark wooden posts and silk drapes. Tall glass windows looked out over the sprawling gardens, and a balcony stretched beyond them, waiting to be stepped onto.
Lila froze in the doorway, her eyes wide. She had never seen a bedroom like this outside of movies or magazines.
Adrian moved past her, already loosening the cufflinks at his wrist. His movements were casual, efficient, as though everything about this moment was perfectly ordinary.
"We'll be staying in the same room," he said, his tone calm, unbothered. "Since we are officially married."
The words sank into Lila's chest like a weight. She nodded faintly, though her throat tightened with nerves.
Adrian crossed the room and opened a door on the side wall. "Come here," he instructed.
Hesitant, she stepped closer. Inside was a walk-in closet that could have been mistaken for a boutique. Rows of clothes filled the racks—dresses in every shade, neatly folded blouses, skirts, jeans, jackets. Shoes lined the bottom shelves, and designer handbags sat displayed as though waiting to be purchased.
Lila blinked rapidly, her chest rising and falling faster. She reached out a trembling hand, touching the soft fabric of a dress. It was exactly her size. She moved further in, her fingertips grazing the heels, pausing at a small clutch bag in a color she loved. Everything was perfect, down to her taste, her style.
"Adrian…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She turned to look at him, confusion written all over her face. "Whose clothes are these?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slid his tie from around his neck with practiced ease, his gaze steady on her but unreadable. The silence stretched, heavy and charged. Then his phone buzzed.
Without acknowledging her question, Adrian answered the call, his tone shifting into a firm, businesslike cadence. "Yes. Send the files to my email. I'll review them tonight."
He paced lightly by the door as he spoke, leaving Lila standing in the middle of the closet surrounded by luxury that didn't belong to her, yet somehow fit her perfectly. She hugged her arms around herself, staring at the clothes. Her heart raced.
How… how does he know my size? How does he know what I like?
Her mind spun with questions. Did he have someone follow her? Did Nathan report back even details about her clothes and shoes? She thought back to her old dresses, the ones she wore to work—simple, practical. None of them compared to this. And yet here, hanging before her, were outfits that seemed handpicked to match her preferences.
When Adrian finally ended his call, he slipped the phone back into his pocket and glanced at her. He didn't offer an explanation. Instead, he simply said, "The closet is yours. Use it as you like."
Lila stared at him, speechless. The temptation to press for answers burned inside her, but something in his composed expression told her she wouldn't get them tonight.
She turned back to the clothes, her fingers grazing the silk fabric of a gown that shimmered under the closet lights. A strange mix of awe and unease coursed through her veins.
This was her new life. This was her new world.
And whether she had chosen it willingly or not, she had to step into it fully.
As Adrian loosened the rest of his shirt and moved toward the balcony to take another call, Lila exhaled slowly and sat on the edge of the bed. The softness of the mattress nearly swallowed her whole.
She looked around the room, at the gleaming chandelier, the grand fireplace, the closet full of clothes tailored to her body.
What have I gotten myself into? she wondered silently.
But deep down, she knew—this was only the beginning.