ELYRA

Standing right in front of me was one of Nick's competitors that I had to meet a couple of times and from the occasions, we had decided it would be best we never meet ever again.

He was egoistic and rude and I wondered what his connection to the Hill's would be so I straightened my expression.

“Hello Mr Radriel.” I greeted, putting on a fake smile as I took my seat while Mr Hills beckoned on Radriel while his gaze remained fixated on me.

“What's she doing here?” He queried as he walked into the living room towards Mr Hills.

“It seems you both know each other but I'd still introduce. This is Elyra, heiress of the Dranen's group and she's here to accept my offer of marrying you to get back her father's company.” Radriels face turned to stare back ate with his mouth wide open and I swallowed nervously.

The person I'm supposed to get married to is Radriel? Of all people on the face of the earth, it just had to be him?

“Well I'll be damned. Isn't Mrs Elyra married?” He chuckled with a smirk on his face as he pulled off his tie and sank into a chair.

Now I see where he got the whole character and attitude from, his father was a good depiction.

“You're in luck, son. She got divorced to accept our offer.” He stated and I cleared my throat uncomfortably as I bit my lips nervously.

I felt like the world could do me and favour and make me invisible at this point, the earth can just open up it's beautiful mouth and swallow me whole because what the fucking hell?

“Is that so?”

“No, that's not the reason I got divorced and I absolutely didn't know that Radriel was the person I was supposed to get married to and I don't even care.” I turned to stare at him, straightening my back as I kept a stern expression.

“We might have gotten off on the wrong foot, Mr Radriel but this is business and I'm sure your father understands that. You're father put up this deal and I'm here to redeem it. If you feel uncomfortable accepting this, Mr Radriel, you can as well tell your father to give us a lighter option.” I stated, trying to mask the fact that I was breaking into a thousand pieces.

Radriel wouldn't accept this marriage.

He hated me, he hated Nick. It was pretty obvious so now I'm rest assured, I don't have to get married to anyone.

They would look for something else to bargain with and I'm more than a hundred percent sure that no matter what it is, I would redeem it.

“You seem very determined, Miss Elyra.” His father commented as I rubbed my wrist against each other slightly.

“And nervous if I may add. You're not hiding it well, Elyra.” He stated, exchanging knowing glances with his father and I wondered what the secret eye talks would be all about.

“Since you've met and would eventually get married, I might as well give you both soke space to bond.” His father stated and I shifted uncomfortably on my seat, tensed by the fact that I'd be left alone with Radriel in one space.

“I see you finally got a hold of your senses and divorced Nick.” He shrugged, picking up the divorce letter and skimming through it.

“My divorce none of your business, Mr Radriel.” I smiled, while shooting him a hard glare and he stood up, walked over to the mini bar they had at their dining and poured himself a drink.

“If you want to smile, you smile Elyra. If you want to give me death stares, give me death stares Elyra. Just pick a struggle and besides, it's quite a pity that you didn't even use the process of the divorce to get money out of your ex husband.” He came back to sit and I shattered my teeth slightly as I dropped the pretense of smiles and all nice looks.

“As I said again, it's none of your business. Your family has mine in a chokehold and I'd like us to be released from it even if it's to my detriment.” He nodded slightly, poker faced.

“You see how easy it is for me to get my revenge and have you recounting every single moment you ever met with me?” I squinted my eyes at his question as I made no sense of it at all.

“Who knew all it would take was get your father drunk and have him play casino. That was his very pride and he was willing to stake his company on it.” I tilted my head to a side in confusion as I still tried to pick the pieces of what he was saying.

“What do you mean by that?” I queried and he leaned back in his seat.

“Exactly 4 months ago, you met with me and literally embarrassed me in front of the board, gaining your husband that particular contract. I promised you that I would get my revenge, Elyra.” My eyes bulged out in surprise as I stared at him in shock.

“So all this, you planned all of this little scheme as your revenge?” All the scenes of that day I represented Nick played in my head like a fucking light bulb and it just dawned on me the kind of maniac I was dealing with.

This man is a fucking psycho.

A fucking literal maniac.

“You're crazy, Radriel.” My internal thoughts slipped out of my mouth as suddenly it felt hard to breathe.

“Good to know you're catching up.” He nodded and pulled his briefcase to himself.

“Here. That's the marriage agreement, I already had it drafted up and carried it with me at all times knowing that this day would finally come. Once you sign it, we're legally married. I can save you the struggle of having a wedding but I'm not sure my father would accept that.” I gasped as he dumped the copy in front of me and began walking upstairs while I placed my hands on my chest gasping.

ELYRA.

I walked into the large mansion, clutching my bag nervously as the movers took in my bag. It had been a week since I signed the marriage certificate that now binds that arrogant asshole and I.

I had tried to make him see facts, that we had no reason to live together since we could barely stand each other but he remained as stubborn as a mule.

The idea of running into him more than I needed to was not something I looked forward to.

"You must be Mrs Elyra, "A voice called my attention and I turned to find a lady standing behind me. She had a black suit on, her hair in a formal bun.

"I'm Mr Radriel's secretary. The maids could do this but he insisted I did. Let me show you to your room."

Before I could reply, she turned and headed upstairs. I took a deep breath, following behind her.

"This is all for my family." I muttered softly under my breath.

We got to a large corridor with just two doors.

Oh fuck! Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking!

I fought the urge to bury my head in my palms.

She pushed the door on the far left open and ushered me in ahead of her.

“Radriel says to feel at home.” She announced and shut the door before I could ask any questions.

I stared at the large room in front of me. It was elegantly decorated. The floors sparkled with marble. The walls were well polished as though they were scrubbed everyday.

There was a huge Queen sized bed with drapes. What was this? Morgana of Camelot's room? I looked around, there were two doors. I opened the first. It was a walk-in closet that went from floor to ceiling. My jaw dropped when I saw the cloth fully stocked in the wardrobes. I opened the drawers one after the other. There were filled with jewelries; gold, silver, diamond, bronze and what have you. Bracelets, rings, necklaces, wristwatches. Was this a show room?! My eyes lifted to the showcase of hand bags. There were different brands: Dior, Gucci, Hermes. They went on and on!

My eyes were fed so I decided to leave the closet cause I couldn't take anymore of it.

That's when I noticed a glass door, it was adjacent to the entrance, right across the room. I strolled towards the door and opened it. It led to a large balcony with the most beautiful view. What was Radriel trying to accomplish?

Angry, I stalked back inside and sat on the bed. It sank down due to my weight. My heart felt numb, everything felt like a strange drama. From Nick's mistress to divorce. And now my second marriage?

An empty laugh left my lips and I ran a hand through my hair trying to calm my shaky nerves but it did nothing. A tear slid down my cheeks and I wiped it away with the speed of light. I couldn't cry. I had no time for that, but my mind had other plans as another tear slid down, followed by another, then another. My body shook with sobs and I bit my bottom lip hard trying to stop myself from crying out loud. My eyes hurt from the tears and I could already tell I'd be hit by a headache soon.

Soon, my sobs died down and exhaustion got the best of me as sleep embraced me.

***

I peeled my eyes open, holding my aching head. I felt lightheaded so I took a cold shower fix it. Putting on a rope, I headed downstairs for a glass of water. My stomach rumbled but I ignored it.

The sun had set and I couldn't help but wonder if Radriel was home. A part of me prayed he probably had an apartment elsewhere but I knew it was too good to be true. Even if he did, he'd probably hang around here enough to witness my torture.

Taking the same route the secretary had shown me, I had turned only to meet a pair of cold gray eyes staring at me. Speak of the horned devil!

He sat at the dining table with a sinister smile on his face. Needles pricked my skin and I suddenly felt exposed and naked.

He on the other hand sliced through his steak meticulously. I had expected him to say something but when nothing came I pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear and walked towards the kitchen.

"Ma’am, I'll bring your dinner soon." A masculine voice said and I looked up to find a man who seemed to be in his early thirties staring at me.

"Oh no. No need, I'm not hungry." I explained.

"I just need water. My throat feels a bit parched." He stared at me with a questionably before turning away.

He walked into kitchen, emerging shortly afterwards with a bottle of water.

“Here." He muttered and I took the cold plastic from his hands with a smile.

I walked out of the kitchen, not sparing Radriel a glance. My hand had barely made contact with the stair railing when his voice tore through the thick silence. I wanted to ignore him or throw him a hard glare but I only sighed, turning to face him.

"Yes? What is it?" I asked giving him a tired look.

"Would you at least sound more excited talking to your husband?" He asked, placing his wine glass down. His smile seemed to grow every minute and so did the urge to scrape it off with a punch.

I refused to honor his words with a response but he refused to take the hint.

"The kitchen told me you've had nothing to eat since you moved in."

For some reason, I was tense at the observation and the flick of his eyes told me he noticed it. Was it possible to do anything without him noticing?

"You don't plan on starving yourself do you? Because that won't gain an ounce of my sympathy."

"Too bad I never planned to." I answered him for the first time turning to head up. I had only watched him talk for a few minutes and my headache had intensified.

"I didn't say you could go." His voice came out. This time it was harsh, and I stopped for the sake of my company.

"Take a seat." He took a spoonful of his rice, his eyes not leaving mine. I thought of arguing but I took the seat, maintaining eye contact.

A maid came in with a few plates later and I picked up my fork, poking the meat. My weak appetite had shrivelled at the fact that I would have to eat with him.

"I know this may be a dream for you but you have to know I don't look forward to eating with you. If anything I don't want much to do with you. Except for my amusement."

"Then why have me sit here?" I forced a slice of steak through my lips.

"Well, my secretary had not drafted the rules, so I decided to give them to you."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish. He ran a hand through his hair before speaking.

"I had agreed to hand over the company since you agreed to sign the papers but that can still be changed."

Among the mix of emotions that flowed through me, shock wasn't one of them.

"You will do as I say, accompany me to any event or party, and shall not involve yourself in any project that may cause scandal."

"Now that we have that out of the way. I'll take my leave." He got off the chair, taking his jacket. "But of course, the list goes on so my secretary will still send that draft.”

My grip on the fork was so tight that it was a miracle it I hadn't dented it. I took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart.

If Radriel wants a game, I will play. And I will play it well.

ELYRA.

The banging dragged me out of sleep like a hand yanking my hair.

I groaned and rolled over, burying my face into the pillow, hoping and praying it would stop. My body felt heavy, the kind of heavy that came from sleeping with a troubled mind. Last night had been a blur of anger and confusion. After Radiel left, I had left my dinner halfway. The thought of sitting at that long table, surrounded by silence and servants who watched without looking, had turned my stomach. So I had returned to my room, alone, and eventually sleep took me.

Now, someone was ruining it.

The banging came again, louder and sharper, like they were offended that I hadn’t answered the first time.

My eyes snapped open. My heart jumped straight into annoyance.

“What the hell?” I muttered, pushing myself up. “Who bangs on a door this early?”

Before I could even throw the covers off or ask who it was, the door suddenly flew open.

I sucked in a breath.

A petite maid walked in like she owned the room.

She couldn’t have been much older than me. She was slim, sharp-eyed, hair tied tightly at the back of her head. She didn’t look surprised to see me sitting up in bed, my hair messy, face still heavy with sleep. If anything, she looked bored.

For a second, I just stared at her, then I felt the irritation rush through me.

“Excuse me?” I snapped. “Do you usually enter people’s rooms without permission?”

She shrugged, not even bothering to dignify my comment with a word. She just lifted one shoulder like my question wasn’t worth the effort of answering.

That was when my irritation shifted into something hotter.

I was sure—absolutely sure—that the secretary had introduced me yesterday. Even though I hated the title, even though it felt like a chain around my neck, she had still said it clearly.

I was the boss’s new wife. So why was this girl standing in my room like I was nothing more than an inconvenience?

“Didn’t anyone ever teach you manners?” I demanded. “It’s rude to barge into someone’s room.”

She finally spoke, her voice flat and unapologetic.

“I’m here to check if you’re still alive.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“We served breakfast,” she went on, looking around the room as if searching for something interesting. “You didn’t come down. So I came to see if you were dead or just too lazy to get up. The latter seems to be the answer, considering what time it is.”

For a moment, I honestly thought I had misheard her. My chest tightened, just as I lifted my gaze to glance at the wall clock.

“Are you right in the head?” I asked sharply. “Who are you to speak to me like that?”

She looked at me then, really looked at me. Her eyes swept over my face, my rumpled nightdress, my bare feet dangling off the bed. The look she gave me wasn’t respectful. It wasn’t even curious.

I felt embarrassed by her stare.

Something inside me snapped.

“Don’t look at me like that, and if you've got nothing else to say, please leave my room,” I snapped, gripping the bedsheet. “You’re crossing a line.”

She scoffed.

“A line?” she repeated. “Do you think you’re a princess or something?”

I stared at her.

“You didn’t come down for breakfast,” she continued, her tone dripping with spite. “So I thought maybe you expected it to be served to you in bed.”

That was it.

“That’s enough!” I said, my voice shaking now. “Do you even know who you’re addressing?”

She tilted her head, studying me like I was a puzzle she had already solved.

“Oh, I do,” she said calmly. “You’re the boss’s puppet wife.”

The words hit me harder than a slap. My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Puppet wife?

“And so what?” she added, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I felt the blood drain from my face, my hands stiff as my sides as I stared at her in shock. My mind scrambled for words, for something sharp enough to throw back at her, but all I could do was sit there, stunned. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure she could hear it.

She gave me a slow, deliberate once-over—not even trying to hide the insolence in her eyes. Then, very abruptly, she turned around and walked out, just like that.

The door closed behind her with a soft click that somehow felt louder than the banging that had woken me.

I sat there for a long moment, unmoving. The room felt too quiet. My hands slowly tightened into fists.

“That didn’t just happen,” I whispered to myself. “It couldn’t have.”

Maybe I was still asleep. Maybe this was some strange dream caused by everything that had happened so fast—marriage, this house, Radiel’s coldness…

Yes. That had to be it.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up, my feet sinking into the soft carpet. The room looked the same as always. Too big. Too perfect. Too unfamiliar.

If it was a dream, it felt painfully real.

I walked to the mirror and stared at my reflection—my messy hair, the slight dark circles under my eyes. I was a woman who still hadn't recognize herself as someone else's wife.

“Puppet wife,” I murmured.

The words tasted bitter.

Anger slowly replaced the shock. Not just at the maid—but at the situation. At how easily people assumed things about me. At how quickly I had been reduced to a title I never asked for.

I took a deep breath.

“No,” I said out loud. “I won’t accept this.”

I quickly washed up and changed, choosing a simple dress. Nothing fancy. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. But I also wasn’t going to walk downstairs looking small.

As I stood before the dresser, staring at my reflection on the mirror, my heart beat fast—not with fear, but with resolve. If the maid—and anyone else—thought I was a puppet, I was going to show them just how very wrong they were.