Chapter 10 - chapter 10: The Woman Who Should Have Been His Wife

Serena learned very quickly that marrying Adrian Kingston did not simply mean living in his house.It meant entering his war.The following morning, she came downstairs dressed simply but elegantly in one of the outfits Margaret had prepared for her.She still felt as though she were wearing someone else's life.Adrian was already seated at the breakfast table, reading financial reports as though their marriage the previous day had been nothing more than another task completed on his schedule."Good morning," Serena said.He looked up briefly."Good morning."His eyes paused on her for a moment.Not staring.Simply noticing."You're adjusting faster than expected."Serena pulled out a chair and sat."Survival requires fast learning."Something approving flickered in his eyes."You'll need that skill."Before Serena could ask what he meant, Margaret approached carefully."Sir… Miss Victoria Hale is here."The atmosphere changed immediately.Adrian's expression became unreadable.Serena noticed."Who is Victoria Hale?"Adrian's answer was simple."Someone my family expected me to marry."Serena felt an unexpected tightness in her chest.She immediately dismissed it."Should I leave?""No."The answer came without hesitation.Serena looked at him."No?""You're my wife. You stay."The words were simple.Yet something about the way he said them made her pause.Before she could respond, footsteps echoed through the entrance hall.Victoria Hale entered as though the mansion belonged to her.Tall.Elegant.Beautiful.Her designer dress fit perfectly, and the confidence in her posture revealed someone who had grown up knowing exactly where she belonged.Then she saw Serena.Her smile disappeared."So it's true."Her voice was polished, but the hostility beneath it was impossible to miss."You really married… her."Serena remained composed."Good morning."Victoria didn't answer.Her eyes moved slowly over Serena, examining her from head to toe."Interesting choice."Adrian's voice immediately turned colder."Say what you came to say."Victoria ignored him.Her attention remained fixed on Serena."Do you know who I am?"Serena shook her head."No."Victoria looked genuinely offended."Victoria Hale. Our families have worked together for thirty years."She paused."I was supposed to be Mrs. Kingston."Serena gave a small nod."But you aren't."Silence.Margaret, standing several feet away, suddenly became very interested in the flowers on the side table.Victoria's smile tightened."Do you know what people are saying about you?""Probably nothing kind.""They're calling you a gold digger."Serena didn't react."They're saying you trapped Adrian."Still nothing.Victoria stepped closer."They're saying you won't last three months."Serena finally looked directly into her eyes."People also said I wouldn't survive my past."Victoria's expression changed.She had expected fear.She had found none."Do you even belong here?"Serena answered calmly."Legally… yes."For the briefest moment, Adrian's expression softened.Victoria turned toward him."Adrian, this is ridiculous. End this before it becomes embarrassing."His response was immediate."My marriage is not a negotiation.""This affects business!""So does my authority."Victoria's voice sharpened."She will ruin your image."Adrian leaned back slightly."My image is not that fragile."Then Serena spoke."Miss Hale."Victoria turned toward her.Serena's voice remained calm."You seem more upset about losing a position than losing a person."The words struck harder than Serena intended.Victoria's eyes hardened."You think you won something?"Serena shook her head."No.""Then what do you think this is?"Serena glanced briefly at the wedding ring on her finger."Temporary."Victoria blinked."Temporary?""Yes."Serena took a quiet sip of her tea."Which means I'm not your real problem."Victoria frowned."What does that mean?"Serena placed her cup down."If he didn't choose you before me…"She held Victoria's gaze."…he wouldn't choose you after me."Silence filled the room.Adrian slowly leaned back in his chair.He was watching Serena now.Not Victoria.Victoria's composure cracked.Only slightly.But enough."You are very bold for someone with nothing."Serena's expression didn't change."I had nothing long before I came here."She paused."That's why I'm not afraid of losing it."For several seconds, Victoria said nothing.Then she looked at Adrian."You'll regret this."Adrian's answer was cold."I rarely do."Victoria turned and walked away.Her heels echoed across the marble floor until the front doors closed behind her.The room finally became quiet.Serena released a slow breath."Did I just create an enemy?"Adrian answered honestly."Yes."She looked at him."Is she dangerous?""Yes."Serena sighed."Great."For the first time that morning, the corner of Adrian's mouth lifted."You handled that well."Serena raised an eyebrow."Was I supposed to apologize?""Most people would have.""I'm not most people."Adrian's gaze remained on her."No."His voice softened almost imperceptibly."You aren't."A quiet moment passed between them.Then Serena asked the question that had been sitting in the back of her mind."Was she important to you?"Adrian answered without hesitation."No.""Not even a little?""She was logical."He paused."Not important."Serena nodded slowly."That's a very cold way to choose people."Adrian looked down at his coffee."It kept me safe."The answer was quieter than she expected.Serena didn't respond.For the first time, she wondered what had happened to Adrian Kingston before she ever met him.What had made a man like him believe that keeping people at a distance was safer than allowing them close?And across the table, Adrian found himself wondering something equally dangerous.Why did Serena's opinion suddenly matter to him?He had spent years choosing people based on usefulness, loyalty, and strategic value.Yet somehow…He cared what she thought of him.And that was a problem.Because their contract had rules.But it had never accounted for jealousy.Or curiosity.Or the strange, growing desire to become the one person Serena trusted most.Neither of them noticed the figure standing outside the dining room.Victoria had not gone far.She stood inside the corridor, her phone pressed to her ear.Her expression was no longer hurt.It was calculating."I want everything on Serena Vale."A voice answered from the other end."Everything?""Everything."She looked back toward the dining room."Her family. Her finances. Her past. Every weakness."A pause.Then Victoria smiled coldly."If Adrian wants to play this game…"Her fingers tightened around the phone."…I'll make sure his new wife understands exactly what it means to enter the Kingston family."