The rest of the morning passed in a quiet and strange peace. Hathaway stayed in the bedroom as Andrew had suggested, lying on the soft bed and trying to sort out her messy thoughts.
The room was beautifully decorated, everything clean and expensive, but it still felt foreign to her. She was just a girl from a troubled family, who had signed a contract to marry a man she barely knew. She kept replaying the past few days in her mind—the chaotic night, her father's desperate phone call, the cold contract, and Andrew's calm but commanding voice.
It all felt like a unrealistic dream.
Before she had time to overthink, a soft knock came from the door.
"Mrs. Andrew, the chef has prepared breakfast for you. Would you like to eat here or downstairs?" a servant asked politely.
Hathaway was slightly surprised. She had not expected to be treated so gently. In her own home, she had always been the one who was ignored or even pushed aside, especially after her mother passed away and her father remarried.
"I… I can eat downstairs," she replied softly.
She got up and tidied her clothes before walking slowly toward the dining room. The long dining table was already filled with all kinds of delicate food—fresh bread, warm soup, fruits, and several dishes that looked like her favorites.
Hathaway froze for a second.
How did they know what she liked to eat?
Before she could figure it out, she saw Andrew sitting at the table, reading something on his tablet. He was dressed in a clean white shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly, making him look less cold and more approachable than usual.
He lifted his eyes slightly when he saw her, his expression calm.
"Sit down," he said simply, his voice low and natural.
Hathaway sat down carefully at the other end of the table, keeping a gentle distance from him. She was still not used to being so close to him, even though they were legally married.
The servants quietly placed the food in front of her and left the dining room, giving them enough privacy.
For a moment, only the soft sound of breathing existed between them. Hathaway lowered her head and ate slowly, her heart beating slightly fast. She did not know what to say or how to start a conversation.
To her surprise, Andrew spoke first.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked, his eyes still on the tablet, but his tone was clearly concerned.
Hathaway's fingers paused slightly. She did not expect him to take the initiative to ask about her condition.
"I… I'm much better now," she answered honestly, her voice soft. "Thank you for arranging the doctor. I really appreciate it."
Andrew lifted his head and looked at her directly. His deep eyes were calm, but there was a faint warmth in them that she had never seen before.
"You don't have to thank me," he said slowly. "As my wife, your health is related to the reputation of this family. It's only natural that I take care of you."
His explanation sounded cold and reasonable, but Hathaway could still feel a trace of softness in his words. It was not just for reputation. She could tell that he truly cared, at least a little.
She lowered her eyes and continued eating, but the food tasted much better than before. A warm feeling slowly spread in her chest, chasing away the nervousness and unease she had felt since she came to the mansion.
After breakfast, Andrew stood up, ready to go to the company.
"I have to go to work now," he said, looking at her. "If you need anything during the day, just tell the servants. They will follow your orders."
Hathaway looked up at him in surprise. She had not expected him to give her such rights. In this huge mansion, everyone was his subordinate, and now he told her that she could give orders?
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Andrew nodded slightly, his eyes staying on her face for a second longer than usual before he turned around and left.
As soon as he left, the quiet mansion felt even more peaceful. Hathaway walked around the first floor, looking at everything curiously. The house was so big that she could easily get lost if she was not careful. Every corner was decorated with great taste, showing the owner's wealth and status.
She could not help but sigh.
A month ago, she would never have imagined that she would step into a place like this, or marry a man like Andrew.
In the afternoon, to pass the time, she found a quiet corner on the second floor and sat down to read. She had always loved reading, and it was the best way for her to calm her heart.
But she did not have the peace for long.
The doorbell suddenly rang, and soon a servant came to inform her that someone was looking for her.
Hathaway was confused. She did not have many friends, and no one knew she was living here. Who could be looking for her?
She walked downstairs with doubt and immediately froze when she saw the person standing in the living room.
It was her stepmother and her stepsister, Lila.
Lila looked around the mansion with obvious jealousy and greed in her eyes. She had always hated Hathaway, believing that everything good should belong to her. When she heard that Hathaway had suddenly married into a wealthy family, she could not wait to come and cause trouble.
Her stepmother crossed her arms and looked at Hathaway with a cold smile.
"I heard you married a rich man," she said in a sharp voice. "You really have the ability to sell yourself for money. Now that you're living such a good life, you should naturally help your family."
Hathaway's face turned pale. She knew exactly what they wanted—money.
Ever since her father married her stepmother, the two women had only treated her as a tool to gain benefits. They never cared about her feelings or her life. Now that they knew she was married to a wealthy man, they immediately came to ask for money.
"We don't have much money left at home," her stepmother continued, raising her chin. "Your father's company still needs funds. Since you're the wife of a rich tycoon, you should take out some money to help us. Don't be so selfish."
Lila stood beside her, nodding repeatedly, her eyes full of greed. "Yes! You're living in such a big house now. You must have a lot of money. Give me some money to buy new bags and clothes too!"
Hathaway clenched her fists tightly, feeling angry and wronged.
This was her so-called family. They never asked if she was doing well, if she was happy, or if she had been wronged. All they cared about was money.
She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.
"I have no money to give you," she said firmly. "The marriage between me and Andrew is complicated. I can't just take his money."
Her stepmother immediately raised her voice, looking angry.
"What do you mean you have no money? You're married to him! Everything he has is yours! You're just unwilling to help us! You ungrateful thing!"
Lila also started to shout, "If you don't give us money, we won't leave! We'll stay here until you agree!"
Hathaway's heart raced, and she felt helpless. She did not know how to drive them away, and she was afraid that they would make more trouble and embarrass her in front of the servants.
Just as she was about to say something, a cold and deep voice suddenly came from the door.
"Who allowed you to shout in my house?"
Everyone turned around.
Andrew was standing at the door, his face cold and his eyes sharp, looking at the two uninvited guests as if they were dirty bugs.
The dangerous aura around him was so strong that the air in the living room seemed to freeze instantly.
Her stepmother and Lila were so scared that they immediately shut their mouths, their faces turning pale. They had never seen a man with such a terrifying aura.
Andrew walked slowly toward Hathaway, his cold eyes softening a little the moment he looked at her.
"Are you okay?" he asked in a low voice, only for her to hear.
Hathaway looked at him, surprised and touched. She did not expect him to come back suddenly, and she did not expect him to stand by her side like this.
She nodded slightly, her eyes a little red.
Andrew's gaze turned cold again when he looked back at her stepmother and stepsister.
"Get out of my house," he said in a cold voice that left no room for refusal. "If you dare to disturb my wife again, you will regret it for the rest of your lives."
His warning was so terrifying that the two women did not dare to say a word. They stumbled toward the door and ran away in panic, not daring to look back.
As soon as they left, the living room returned to peace.
Hathaway stood there, still a little shocked. She looked at Andrew's back, her heart full of complicated feelings.
This man, who was supposed to be just her contract husband, had just protected her like a real hero.
Andrew turned around and looked at her, his voice softening a lot.
"Next time they come, don't talk to them. Just let the servants drive them away," he said gently. "No one can bully you here."
Hathaway looked into his eyes, and for a moment, she forgot how to speak.
At that moment, she clearly realized that this contract marriage was slowly changing.
And the cold man in front of her was slowly walking into her heart.