As they strode side by side in silence, Edward spots his car- a black Rolls-Royce - and his driver, Robert.

Robert straightened as his boss approached.

"Mr. Edward... Miss, good day," He said, bowing slightly.

Mr. Edward sure has an eye for women, and a child too, he thought as he loaded the luggage.

Things are about to get interesting around here.

Edward stepped forward. "Hey, let's get you inside," As he reached out, waiting for his daughter to take his hand.

He saw the wheels turn in her little head. She glanced at her mom for some approval, then placed her hand in his.

Edward held those tiny hands like a lifeline. Gently, he lifted her into the car.

Gabrielle just stood there, stunned. This level of wealth was uncanny- a Rolls-Royce? She remembered he was rich, but not like this.

Edward's hands gently tugged at hers." Get in," he said curtly, breaking her from her trance as he held open the door. Her smile faded as her eyes met his gaze. He simply stared, no warmth in his eyes, as she obeyed and sat. He closed the door a little too hard.

As Robert drove, Gabrielle's heart raced. Her throat was dry, as fear coursed through her veins. She impulsively played with the hem of her shirt, her attempt at self-soothing.

Edward, slightly on edge, effortlessly drums his fingers on his long-clad legs, his mind racing, thinking of what to say to his little girl.

"Emilia, how old are you, dear? He asked, his eyes trained on her face.

Emilia, for the first time since they all got into the car, glanced at her father."Five."She said, holding up her hand.

A faint smile touched his face.

She is so comical, he thought.

" That is a cool age," he said evenly."So you would agree, then, that a big girl needs her own room?"His brows slightly raised at Emilia.

Her face brightened, still looking at Edward, uncertain whether to trust him or not, skeptical. She whispered,"Really? My own room."

"Yes, your own room," he whispered back.

She simply smiled at him, kicking her feet lightly against the seat- the only indication of her excitement.

The rest of the car ride passed in a quiet haze, the tires rolling on beneath them as the city shuffles past the windows. The car slowed as it entered a driveway lined with tall trees that led up to an immaculate black gate with gold accents. The estate loomed ahead, gracefully and imposing.

The gates swung open, letting Robert drive in.

Gabrielle could only stare, gawking at Edward's estate as Robert helped her out of the car. She swirled slowly, taking it all in well-trimmed gardens bursting with lilies, tulips, and roses, the gold and black gates, the cream and beige mansion that seemed stretched out for miles.

Hands pressed to her lips, she whispered under her breath.

So this is .... The Harrington wealth.

Her gaze settled on Edward, who was actively still engaged with their daughter; he didn't look scary this way. Her heart warmed at how attentive he was with Emilia.

Edward felt eyes on him and caught sight of Gabrielle, staring back. His chest stalled, breathing deep and slow, as he held her gaze. He could tell she felt this too, this tension between them

- her chest's rapid rise and fall.

Then he broke it.

He turned towards Robert.

" Have the chef prepare a meal for two. They must be famished," he said tartly.

"And have Betty see to their lounge and rooms."

Then Edward went down on one knee, his hands playfully ruffling Emilia's hair."Get settled in with Mrs puff. I will come by later."

Emilia simply smiled.

Eyes now on Gabrielle."We will have that discussion when I get back."

And without any other words, he turned and left.

The house towered over her, just as Edward did-the branches like fingers stretched out to catch her.

The sly looks from the staff said so much. This is going to be harder than she thought.

She stepped in through the oak brown doors, her shoe clicking on the hard marble floor, polished to a soft sheen. She looked around, suddenly aware of how small she was, how different, how... poor, she thought as she stared at worn shoes.

Mrs puff showed her to her room and took Emilia. It didn't feel right for her without her daughter in separate rooms.

Now, in this room, standing here, realization hit: she'd stepped into Edward's world.

The wind howled through the night, the only sound keeping Gabrielle company as she combs her red silk hair. Her mind was on the events that played out during dinner.

Emilia was brought to her door by Mrs puff, and they all went down to eat. She kind of expected Edward to dine with them, his overbearing presence missing, which made the house feel emptier and colder. He kept invading her mind nonstop, and she just couldn't keep him out.

What was he thinking? The uncertainty scared her. He was unreadable, distant even. She scoffed, standing up to pace the room- he unnerved her.

The silence the house held became unbearable, and she needed an out.

Wrapping her robe tightly around herself.

Gabrielle slipped from her room into the hallway.

The floor was cold against her bare foot as she tiptoed down to the Grand foyer. Above her, the chandelier sparkled–the only source of light– casting a glossy sheen on the marble beneath her.

Gabrielle's hands slightly grazed the handle.

Footsteps sounded outside. Terrified, Gabrielle pressed her ear against the smooth oak wood doors, straining to listen.

"Robert... keep an eye out for Gabrielle, " he said, low, sharp.

Gabrielle stiffened as she had no doubt as to whose voice it was.

She backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound. The last thing she needed was stumbling into Edward.

She ran as quietly as she could as the footsteps drew near.

Turning down a corridor, heart racing, she spots a slightly ajar door and slips in.

The room was dark and filled with shadows cast by the moonlight. Gabrielle found the switch and flicked it.

White light filled the room, exposing its secrets: a wall packed with books, she smiled.

All she had to do was wait for Edward to leave the grand foyer. Her fingers glided through rows of books, every one perfectly organized, not even a speck of dust.

The maintenance here was impeccable. Would have made Aunt Gloria cry, she thought as she sank low, hunching over as sadness– or was it grief ?–washed over her. Aunt Gloria, the only other person she had aside from her daughter and mother, was a Librarian-she died last year. And if she didn't play her cards right with Edward, she would lose her mom, too.

Gabrielle, lost in thought, didn't notice he'd walked in.

Edward simply stared at her, trying to discern what could have caused her such sorrow.

The door now opened. A chill ran through Gabrielle's bones, and she instinctively looked up.

Her eyes met Edward's. Her breathing slowed, her mind quiet, and her fear so great it numbed her, stealing her senses.

He sensed her fear, and something in him softened. "Are you alright?" He asked, slowly walking towards her.

He crouched low beside her." What are you doing on the floor?" He said carefully.

Still mute, his fingers stroked her back, pulling her back.

"Edward..." were the only words that left her lips.

Her voice, the way his name rolled off her tongue, her fear–awakened something in him.

He traced light fingers up and down her back, watching her unravel felt like an old, forgotten, dangerous dance.

He needed to stop. This wasn't why he'd followed her. He had only wanted to finally speak with her about their arrangement.

But his body wouldn't let him– her flushed face sent ripples of hot need coursing right through him. A moan escaped her, shattering what little self-control he maintained.

She looked terrified -aghast with herself- like she had committed some sin she hadn't meant to.

His hand lifted, his fingers traced, then cupped her face.

He liked her this way.

"You can talk to me," he said softly, still stroking her face, as he pulled closer.

Still caught on the shores of pleasure, her lips parted, but no sound came.

Seeing her like this-undone and so very tempting- pulled him in.

Before he could stop himself, he closed the distance and kissed her. She melted into him instantly, his left hand slipping from her face to her neck, lips locked in a slow rhythm.

He worshiped her with kisses, then came back as his tongue explored the depths of her lips.

His fingers glided from her neck to the top of her breast, squeezing, and he moaned low.

How can a woman be this tasteful? His fingers were pulling and fondling her nipple through the sheer fabric of her robe.

Gabrielle jolted, breathing hard and loud as his mouth devoured hers.

He pulled her up slowly, found a table, and placed her on it. His lips are still very much entertaining hers.

The table creaked as he leaned in on her, his hands finding her calf, tracing up to her thighs.

He sensed her stiffen, shock in her eyes as his fingers slid higher, finding her.

She was hot, soft, and wet... for him. That pleased him.

His finger found their rhythmic flow, in and out of her as her nails dug holes in his back. That

Her moans got louder as he slipped in more fingers, stretching her, kneading her.

She tightened around him as she came, sweat on her skin, as his fingers slowed.

They stayed there for a while, as her breathing quieted.

He pulled her back, watching the smile she wore fade as she met his gaze.

His face spread out into a horrid smile.

"Still quite easy, I see. Always the girl that lost her virginity on the hood of my god damn car."

Gabrielle woke with a start, drenched in sweat with tears streaking her face.

The events of the previous night slammed right back into her all at once.

A shiver ran through her. The night before replayed like a broken record; she couldn't stop.

Her mouth is dry. New tears ran down her face, still very much shocked. She thought she had no tears left to give. Turns out, she did.

wiping away snort with the back of her hand.

How could Edward do that to her?

She shoved the duvet off herself. Today was a new day, and this was for her daughter.

Even if her father was the devil himself. She was going to make sure Emilia got the financial support she deserved.

Walking to the dressing mirror, she stopped. She simply stood still, staring back at herself.

She hated what stared back.

She hated herself.

Gabrielle, all dressed up, was excited to see her daughter. Walking down the hallway to Emilia's room.

She heard footsteps. The hairs on her neck lifted, as her steps slowed of their own accord.

She sensed his presence. She didn't need to turn around.

He was behind her.

She bolted into Emilia's room before she could make a fool of herself again.

Edward cursed under his breath as he watched her literally run.

Something close to guilt crept up on him. Before he drowned in it, his phone vibrated.

He sighed.

His long, well-manicured hands slid into his pockets for the phone. Quite curious, he checked who would be calling this early- damn, his mother!

He picked up. "Mother," He mouthed.

"Babyy oh my baby. How are you doing, love?" He rolled his eyes. His mother was very... cuddly.

That's the nicest way he could put it, but he loved her.

"I am good. How many times have I told you to stop calling me baby? I'm a grown man," he whined, feeling sixteen again.

Family did that to you.

"Once my baby, always my baby- Oh yes, I was calling to remind you that the board dinner is tonight. Don't disappoint, " she said sternly.

"I never have, now have I?"

"No, baby, you never have." He could hear her smile. It warmed his heart. He scoffed, a smile playing on his lips.

His mother was the only living parent he had, so her approval meant a lot to him. As far back as he could remember, she had his back- Through his father's beatings and unnatural hatred. She was always there.

He thought of his father now. The man would turn in his grave if he found out he was his successor.

And that delighted him.

Served the old fool right.

"... yes, Mother. Alright, see you then ". He ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

After the call with his mother, he realized he had to eventually speak to Gabrielle. He had planned on avoiding her until he figured out what last night's events were.

He was strict, but what he wasn't was cruel. All he remembered, amidst the heat and passion, was the sudden desire to hurt her- overwhelmed him. And hurt her he did.

He should be elated, but emptiness filled his very being.

He would deal with these feelings later, with some good brandy. Right now, he wanted his daughter at the function, and he had to speak with Gabrielle.

Instinctively, he strode down to Emilia's room. He knew she was still there. She was avoiding him.

In front of Emilia's room, he stopped. His feet suddenly felt heavy.

This was absurd. It was his home. He could enter if it damn well pleased him.

Pushing the door open, his eyes rested on Gabrielle. He saw fear when her eyes met his. Instinctively, she stood, drawing Emilia close. As if a bear entered, not a man.

He knew she probably harbored some resentment towards him. But her reaction affected him more than he would like to admit.

"Good morning, princess, " he greeted his little girl, a smile touched his lips.

waving excitedly." Good morningggg," she sang. Her mother's hands were still wrapped tightly on her little shoulders.

"Gabrielle, "the word pressed hard on him like stone. He shook it off.

Gabrielle simply stared.

The silence gnarling. He continued." My family will be hosting what we like to call TheHarrington board dinner tonight. And you and Emilia will be in attendance. If you need anything -a dinner gown for yourself and Emilia perhaps - Mrs puff will sort it out," he nodded, turning to leave.

"Edward"

It can't be.

He looked up, shocked. Then irritation and annoyance filled his veins.

bloody women. He would have to teach this one a lesson.