Chapter 02
The car ride home was quiet after the wedding.
Elena's new husband, Defense Attorney Julian Thorne, sat at the far right. He did not look at or speak to her. In fact, he looked like a man riding to court, not a groom heading home with his new wife.
Elena sat to the left, pressed against the door. She leaned her head lightly against the cool glass, her eyes fixed on the dark road rushing past.
"Do you need a minute?"
Julian's voice broke through her thoughts as they slowly pulled out of the grand wedding venue.
She blinked and sat up slightly at his words. "No," she said quickly. "I'm fine."
She kept her eyes locked on the window.
Her life felt like it had ended before it even had a chance to begin. Goodness, she was now a wife.
She lowered her gaze to her hand, examining the huge shiny diamond ring. It was bold and perfect and she knew many women would kill to wear it. To be married to Julian Thorne and sit right where she sat now.
Yet she felt empty, unsatisfied and deeply sad.
"Did you hear a word I said?" His deep baritone jolted her again and she blinked, clearing her throat sheepishly.
"Sorry, I was…it doesn't matter," she muttered, "what were you saying?"
He did not comment on her momentary confusion, Instead, he said calmly, "I will have your things moved to the upper floor."
Her heart skipped. "I haven't packed my things yet," she replied. "I need to go back to my place for a few days. Just to tidy up."
"No," he said at once.
She turned toward him, surprised by the firmness in his voice.
"No wife of mine is going to live apart from me," he continued. "You don't need any of your old things."
"What?" Elena stared at him. "What are you talking about? Those bags cost money. All my clothes, my shoes. I have to go back and pack them, they're designers."
"I've already arranged for them to be given to charity," Julian said coldly. "I got you new things. A replica of everything you own. Exact sizes and brands. And a lot more new upgrades you'd love."
Her mouth fell open.
She looked at him like he had lost his mind. "You can't just do that without my permission," she cried. "Those are my things."
"The only difference," he replied coolly, "is that they will all be new this time."
"That's absurd!" She snapped.
But he just shrugged like it was nothing. "Stop complaining."
She felt like she had been slapped.
She studied his face, searching for something human. Maybe anger, guilt, frustration or even irritation. But there was nothing. He was too freaking calm.
"How can you be so cold?" she asked softly.
He did not answer.
Her voice trembled as the question she had been holding back finally escaped. "Why me? Why did you want to marry me?"
He glanced at her then. "You agreed to this, Elena," he said. "This is not the time to question it. You're already my wife."
His gaze dropped briefly to the ring on her finger.
Of course she was his wife.
She had to be. She had no choice.
It was the devil and the deep blue sea, and she had chosen the only option left to her. The choice that hurt less than the alternative, even if it still hurt badly.
She turned her face back to the window.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she bid her old life goodbye.
A moment passed and then she felt a soft hand on her shoulder.
She turned, startled.
Julian held out a folded paper towel. "Do you need tissues?"
That small gesture broke her.
She took it, and the tears came rushing out. Her shoulders shook as she cried out loudly, feeling the entire pressure zhed held together finally break free.
She covered her face, embarrassed, overwhelmed and helpless.
"Stop the car," Julian said to the driver. "My wife needs a minute alone."
The car slowed to a stop.
Without another word, Julian stepped out and closed the door behind him. Even the driver got out, leaving her completely alone.
That was when she truly broke down.
She cried for the life she had just lost. For the future she would never have with Francis. For the look in his eyes when he realized she had betrayed him.
She cried because she did not know who she was anymore, or how she was supposed to survive this marriage with a total stranger.
Minutes passed or maybe seconds. She could not tell.
Eventually, the door opened.
Julian got back into the car and sat down quietly. "Are you okay now?" he asked.
She wiped her face and nodded weakly. "Yes. Thank you."
He tapped twice on the window and the driver returned to his seat.
"We're a few minutes away from home," the driver said. "Would you like me to make any stop?"
"Not tonight," Julian replied. "My wife needs her rest."
The rest of the drive passed in silence and about half an hour later, the gates opened to his home.
As the car rolled in as Elena lifted her head and stared out the window.
Even from outside, she could see the upper floor through the glass walls of the house which was almost entirely transparent.
In the center of the building stood a large fountain. A sculpture of a naked man rose from the middle, water gushing from his outstretched hands.
It was breathtakingly beautiful, just like its owner. But Elena didn't appreciate any of it.
From the distance, she could see a few servants dressed in nice uniforms moving large bags and trunks up the staircase. No doubt her new things.
Julian stepped out first, then turned and held out his hand to her.
"Welcome home, my wife," he said.
Elena hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his.
And she knew that very second, that this place would change her life forever.