Sebastian's POV.

I think I underestimated Liora Bennett.

Not in a billion years would I have imagined that she would be bold enough to tell my father to his face that she wanted to run her father's company knowing very well the kind of situation they were in.

I was seated next to her in the back seat of my car which was speeding down the road.

She stuck close to the window, desperate to put enough space between us but there was no amount of space that could stop her flowery scent from wafting towards me.

When my father told me about the wedding, I was livid and it felt like a death sentence to me.

Vivienne was the only woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and this washed up princess from a failing company was not what I had envisioned for myself.

There was very little about her on the net, she didn't attend social events, never openly flaunted herself like her stepsister did and the few blog posts I had seen about her said her looks was the main reason she hid herself from the public's eyes.

But that day in the church when I lifted her veil, the woman I saw was someone entirely different. Her hazel eyes captivated me. The petrified yet tender look in her eyes made my blood rush with something I couldn't explain.

The way her jet black hair bounced off her shoulders in waves, framing a beautiful face with small pink lips that gave her the most alluring look caught my attention.

She was beautiful... surprisingly beautiful in a way that made it impossible for me to stop staring at her.

I never did it openly though, I always stared at her from my peripheral vision without her noticing. And that night in my room, when I pressed my body against hers and saw her body laid out for my eyes, I felt the overwhelming urge to claim her.

To pin her against that door and show her just how dangerous it was to try to seduce a drunk man but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not when she was staring at me with those eyes that made me want to...

"We're here sir." The driver's voice cut off my train of thoughts and my head snapped up to take in our surroundings.

The towering building before me knocked me back to reality.

This was it, her father's company, the real reason Dad had insisted I married her because what no one else knew was that our company needed theirs to survive the sudden change in the market.

Her father had been adamant, he had refused to sell it to us even till the last minute and Liora's stepmother had no power to sell it off or else the greedy woman would have done it without a second thought.

The plan was to marry Camille... but then, Dad discovered the majority of the company's shares were in Liora's name.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped down from the car and rushed over to her side to pull the door open for her. Without a word, I took her arm in mine and pulled her closer to my side, wrapping my arm lovingly around her waist.

I felt her body stiffen, I saw the way her eyes widened in shock and confusion as she glanced at me but I didn't care, I kept my eyes glued forward with a smile on my face.

"Just do as I say and don't make a scene." I whispered to her as I guided her into the elevator with my hand still wrapped around her waist.

The ride up to the main floor was filled with the giggles of the workers behind us as they stole glances at us.

I suddenly leaned closer to her and she inhaled sharply as I reached out and brushed a strand of her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear lovingly as the people behind us whispered excitedly.

I was certain that by the end of the day, the blogs would be reporting how Sebastian Carvers was spotted with his wife, who he was clearly smitten by and so in love with.

Exactly what I needed them to do.

The softness of her skin against my touch radiated through me, my fingers lingered, a lot longer than I had intended and when the elevator made a ding sound, I was forced to pull away from her.

I led her towards a glass door and we stepped into a conference room.

Men dressed in suits were already seated around the table and their conversations died down the moment we walked in.

My grip on her hand tightened when I felt her stiffen, she clearly had no idea what we were doing here and probably just recognized a handful of the men present.

With a possessive grip on her, I led her to the head of the table and we both took our seats.

"Thank you all for coming," my voice echoed through the room as all eyes turned to me, "I'd like to formally introduce you to my wife, Liora Bennett. As you know, with her father's persistent illness, the position of CEO has been left... unattended for far too long."

I felt her try to move and my hand came down on her shoulder gently, squeezing it softly yet keeping her in place.

"As per the marriage agreement signed by Liora, I am granted full authority as her husband to act as the CEO on her behalf until this board deems her ready to lead or her father makes a full recovery."

Her head snapped to the side to meet my gaze and the look of horror in them as she stared at me sent a sharp unpleasant sensation through my chest.

Was it guilt?

Why would I feel guilty about this? She meant nothing to me and as soon as everything was done, I was going to divorce her and marry Vivienne.

That was my plan so... what was this tightness in my chest as she stared at me?

Liora's POV

It was all a lie, and I had fallen for it.

Everything went by in a blur, as documents were signed and congratulations from the board members flew around.

I didn't react; I couldn't react.

Soon the congratulations settled down, and the business discussions began. I was about to take the head seat which my father had always sat in, when Sebastian sat on it first, not even sparing a glance at me.

I hesitated. What just happened?

An assistant pulled a chair by the side for me. 'Mrs Carvers, your seat.'

I willed myself to move and sit, feeling the bile rush up within me. It didn't help that all eyes focused on us, and everyone had seen what just happened.

A board member cleared his throat and began to speak:

'Ma'am,' he glanced at Sebastian then looked at me. 'Given the circumstances, what is your strategy for handling the declining assets?'

'In my opinion...' I breathed a little.

'I'll take that,' Sebastian's voice cut mine smoothly.

My cheeks heated up as I watched him give a detailed, brilliant explanation. It wasn't enough that he took my place at the head table, now he wants to show everyone how incompetent I am?

As I sat there, fuming inwardly, I realized something I didn't want to admit: Sebastian had planned this from the start. Taking over my father's company, humiliating me, he already knew this was going to happen the very moment we said our vows.

After the discussion was over, Sebastian cleared his throat and continued.

'I owe you all an explanation for the rushed arrangement. Given Mr Bennett's prognosis,' he said, 'continuity is essential. My wife, understandably, isn't in the right emotional state for leadership. She will be assisting me in a learning capacity.'

Some board members chuckled, while others nodded their heads as if they understood what he meant.

'A sensible arrangement,' another member agreed.

I felt like screaming, telling them all to go to hell. But I controlled myself and watched in silence.

After all formalities were over, everyone dispersed, leaving me and Sebastian alone in the boardroom.

'Car's outside to convey you back home,' he told me before walking out.

I watched him leave, knowing I was just an object to achieve a means, and he played it well. My chest heaved, with the tears threatening to fall out, but I kept them back.

Not now; not here.

As I walked out, the whispers followed.

'So it's true she's no longer in power?'

'She gave everything up to her husband? She must really love him.'

Love? I scoffed. The only person I loved was my father, but I was already failing him even while he was still alive.

As I got home, I saw Sebastian by the wet bar. I stood for a while staring at him sip from a wine glass slowly, then I let my anger loose.

'How could you?' I snapped at him.

'I was going to get it one way or another,' his tone was nonchalant as he eyed the glass of wine he held.

'Tricking me and everyone else? Do you think that makes you a smart businessman?'

He stared at me for a while before bursting into laughter. 'In the business world, you have to do whatever it takes to get what you want.'

I stared at him, my fists clenched and my chest tightening.

What would my father do if he found out that the company had been handed over to a stranger?

After years of hard work and sweat...

Feeling dejected, I sighed and began to walk up to my room. My body felt heavy; I just needed to rest at that moment.

'Liora!'

I turned abruptly to face Sebastian. It was the first time he had ever called me by name.

He looked at me for a while with an expression I couldn't quite understand. 'You have so much to learn.'

There was no need to reply, so I left without a word.

In my room, I lay there all day and night, eyes wide open. It seemed not only did sleep elude me, but the only thing my father had to his name was almost gone from my grasp.

As I closed my eyes, I thought that maybe all wasn't lost. If I just played along, moved on with Sebastian's schemes, then maybe...just maybe...everything would end up fine.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of voices and laughter in the living room. Curious, I went downstairs to see Sebastian and his father, Reginald.

'Liora,' Reginald smiled at me.

'Good morning,' I smiled back.

'I thought I should come visit. Sebastian was just filling me in on yesterday's event.'

'How's my father?' That was the only person I could think of.

He hesitated. 'Surgery would soon commence, and after that, George would be back on his feet as before.'

My mind relaxed a little.

'Oh well, enjoy,' I nodded and turned to leave.

I was close to my room, when I thought about what he had said. Did Sebastian really tell him how he had taken over my father's company? Is that why he looked so smug and happy?

In a daze, I turned back to ask him. Questions were bothering me, and only he would have the answers. As I got close to the living room, I began to hear some conversations; some disturbing conversations...

...about my father.

'The surgery has a forty percent survival rate. Even if George survives, he won't regain capacity. The company would bleed out before the year ends without intervention.'

It was Reginald, and it seemed he was on the phone with someone. I edged a bit closer to hear better.

'Which is a good thing the plan worked. Sebastian is in charge and if that old man kicks the bucket, we'll have full ownership. And don't worry about the daughter. She's already taken care of.'

Shock waves ran through my body at that instant, making me pause and replay what I had just heard. In a daze, I turned and raced down to my room, shutting the door loudly. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely twist the door handle.

The only thoughts racing through my mind were how this marriage had been planned to benefit just the Carvers.

And I had been the perfect pawn.

Sebastian's POV

'How do I look, darling?' Vivienne flaunted her peacock dress, the bright afternoon sun making her platinum blonde hair gleam.

'Beautiful as always, my love,' I grinned.

She was really beautiful, I didn't lie.

'I can't wait for our trip to the Cannes Festival next week,' she chimed in. 'We'd be the most adorable couple there, I bet.'

Before I could respond, a movement made my eyes shift from Vivienne to the side. My breath paused for a second as Liora made her way past us, her shoulders slumped, barely acknowledging us.

'Hello wife,' Vivienne twirled in her way, obstructing her movement. 'My. You look worse than my dog Bruno on his bad days.'

I watched as Liora stopped short, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. She didn't lift her head, didn't rise to the insult. She simply stepped around Vivienne, as if the words hadn't reached her at all.

For reasons I couldn't explain, that bothered me.

That night, as I lay next to the soft feeling of Vivienne's naked body, I couldn't stop thinking about the way Liora looked, slumped, like she was tired of life.

The handing over of power after marriage was actually predictable; did it really get to her?

The next morning was a slow one. As I skimmed through documents in the office, registers of payments and bills, I realized that there was a whole lot I needed to know. The whole hectic process made me crave going out.

I picked up the phone and dialed Vivienne.

'Hi babe,' he said on the phone. 'Let's go out tonight. Have dinner somewhere.'

'Hey baby,' she said on the phone, her voice sounded bright and effortless. 'Dinner sounds perfect. I'll pick the place.'

'Make it somewhere quiet,' I replied, rubbing my temple. 'I've had enough noise for one day.'

She laughed lightly. 'You're getting old.'

I hung up and leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.

For some reason, the idea of going out didn't excite me the way it usually did. Vivienne was predictable- beautiful, charming, polished. Being with her was easy. There were no complications and no questions.

And yet...

My mind drifted back to the image of Liora standing there earlier, her shoulders tense, her eyes dulled by something I hadn't put there intentionally, but had somehow allowed.

I shook my head and returned to the documents, forcing myself to focus. I preferred this to dealing with people; numbers were simple and they made sense, unlike people.

People like Liora.

That evening, I got home earlier than usual. The house was quiet, too quiet for a place this large. I loosened my tie as I walked in, glancing around absently.

Liora sat at the dining table, a stack of files spread out before her.

She looked up when she heard me, startled, like she hadn't expected anyone else to exist in the house. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

'What are you doing?' I asked.

She hesitated, then gestured to the papers. 'I asked the assistant for copies of the financial reports. I thought...since I'm assisting you now, I should understand them.'

There was no accusation or bitterness in her tone; just a faint determination that made me look at her longer.

I stepped closer, scanning the documents. She'd organized them neatly, notes scribbled in the margins and highlights. They weren't random or careless, but perfectly arranged.

'You don't have to do this,' I said.

'I know,' she replied softly. 'But I want to.'

That annoyed me more than her defiance would have.

'Don't get any ideas,' I said coolly. 'This doesn't change anything.'

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded. 'I didn't think it would.'

Something in her acceptance unsettled me.

I checked my watch. 'I'm going out.'

She glanced up. 'With her?'

'Yes.'

There was no reaction or visible pain from her. Just a small nod as she returned to her papers.

I paused at the doorway longer than necessary.

'You should eat,' I added.

She didn't look up this time. 'I will.'

Outside, the air felt heavier than it should have. As I got into the car, I found myself gripping the steering wheel harder than needed.

Why did it feel like I was walking away from something important?

Dinner with Vivienne was loud- laughter, wine, compliments from nearby tables. She leaned into me, her hand resting possessively on my arm.

'You seem distracted,' she narrowed her eyes at me.

'Just work,' I said in a nonchalant tone.

She smiled knowingly. 'Well, forget work tonight. Cannes is coming, and I want us in that spotlight. No wives. Can't be having all that baggage."

The word hit sharper than I expected. Baggage.

I lifted my glass, forcing a smile. 'Of course.'

But even as Vivienne talked excitedly about gowns and photographers, my thoughts drifted back to the quiet woman sitting alone at a dining table, trying to make sense of a company that had once been her father's.

And for the first time since this marriage began, I wondered if I had underestimated the cost of using her.

I was thinking too much, and it wasn't a good thing. I needed a distraction- like the pretty blonde woman in front of me.

Once we got back home, I got to it; taking her mouth in mine and feeling her smooth silky body. Usually, this would have worked. Vivienne was always a good distraction for me when I had bad days, but tonight...

Tonight was different.

'Let's just go to bed,' I pulled away from her.

She didn't reply, but I could feel her eyes watching me, like she was trying to read my thoughts. We didn't speak much that night, and the next morning was a drag.

We both sat at the table, having breakfast together; silence hung thick between us. Liora came downstairs later on to join us at the table.

'More spinach, darling?' Vivienne proceeded to scoop more vegetables onto my plate. 'I'm just so happy we're going to Cannes.'

'Hmm,' I mumbled with my mouth full, while taking a glance at Liora, even though I hadn't meant to notice her at all.

She looked thinner than I remembered, much paler, like someone carrying a weight far heavier than the clothes she was wearing.

I frowned and set my mind back to Vivienne, annoyed with myself for noticing.

'Don't tell me you're still sulking, wife,' Vivienne laughed. 'Honestly Sebastian, she's already acting like a widow.'

That did it.

'Vivienne,' I said sharply.

She turned to me surprised. 'What?'

'I have a gathering to be in this morning and we're late,' I said to her. 'Go wait in the car.'

Vivienne pouts but she obeys, giving an exaggerated sigh before leaving.

Liora sat there, unmoving and not eating.

'You should dress better when you leave your room,' I said coolly to her. 'People talk.'

She finally looked up at me then. Her eyes were tired, but there was something else there too.

'I'm sure they already are,' she said in a calm tone before leaving the table.

As she walked away, I realized something I didn't like:

No one had the right to look that broken in my house.

Not even my wife.