At 4 a.m., Ethan woke up.

He turned his head at the steady rhythm of breathing beside him. The woman next to him was sound asleep, her soft hair spread across the pillow, the beige comforter pulled up under her chin-still and quiet, like a sleeping kitten.

Without all the sass and snark from earlier, she was actually kind of... peaceful. He liked her a lot more when her mouth wasn't moving.

That cold heart of his, hardened from years of discipline, unexpectedly melted a little in that moment.

*****

Celeste had the best sleep she'd had in a while, waking up halfway into the day.

She sat up in bed, wrapped in the covers, yawning. For a second, she was confused at the empty space beside her.

Had she slept that deep?

Ethan got up and she didn't hear a thing?

Still groggy, she tossed off the blanket, went through a half-hearted morning routine, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

She had barely stepped onto the top stair when voices from the living room drifted up-Sophie chatting in hushed tones with a maid.

"He react at all?" Sophie clearly didn't want to be overheard, but unfortunately for her, Celeste was right at the perfect spot to catch every word.

Curious, Celeste craned her neck and peeked down-then froze.

'Wait a sec. Wasn't that the same maid from last night? The one who had on the little slip dress and literally ripped Ethan's boxers?'

Now this was getting juicy.

"I didn't get a good look. Sir didn't want to," the maid stuttered, cheeks blazing. "Then the missus came in, so I just... stopped."

"What are you afraid of her for?" Sophie sounded frustrated. "She's just a prop here. If Ethan actually cared about her, you think I'd need you?"

"Mrs. Larkspur, I really can't do this. Maybe... maybe find someone else?" The maid's whole face was red, words tumbling out in a nervous mess.

"Oh come on, we had a deal. I already paid you. You..."

Celeste had heard more than enough. Ugh. Forcing someone into that crap? Gross.

Without hesitation, she strolled downstairs, her voice light but clear enough to slice through the awkward tension. "Good morning, Mother."

Sophie instantly stopped mid-sentence and waved the maid away.

Then, brows furrowing, she walked up to Celeste, tone sharp. "You've got no sense of propriety, do you? Look at the time! Just out of prison and still sleeping in like this every day?"

She looked Celeste up and down skeptically. "Don't tell me you really just woke up..."

"Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to sleep in, but taking care of Ethan last night really wore me out. And he didn't wake me this morning either, so... here we are." Celeste gave an exaggerated yawn, looking appropriately 'apologetic.'

Ethan wasn't home right now, so she might as well throw his name around a little. It's not like he'd know-and technically, she wasn't even lying.

Sure enough, her words hit like a bomb. Sophie's eyes went wide in shock. "Wait, what? You- You were in the same room as Ethan last night?"

"Yep." Celeste nodded firmly. She then lowered her voice, glancing toward the kitchen. "Shh, Mom, there are staff around..."

Watching Celeste act all shy and bashful, Sophie's face finally lit up with delight. "That's wonderful! You must be exhausted!"

Seeing the servants cleaning up the dining table, Sophie called out, "Hold up-bring out the fresh steak from the kitchen, Celeste hasn't eaten yet. Why were you clearing anything away?"

Celeste stepped off the stairs in her slippers, a sly smirk tugging at her lips as she glanced around the room. Let Sophie keep fussing around her.

Yeah, she was right. Ethan might be in a wheelchair, but his status in this household? Still untouchable. As long as everyone thought their marriage was real and solid, she'd hold the spot of first lady in this house-no question.

And that? That was just step one.

Celeste sat at the dinner table, slowly slicing her steak, taking sips of red wine now and then, actually feeling a bit relaxed for once.

It had been ages since she could just sit quietly and enjoy a meal. Back in prison, everyone scrambled just to grab a bowl before it disappeared. And in the Shaw house, it was always someone yelling or criticizing. Silence like this was a luxury.

Almost thirty minutes had passed, and just as she was finishing her last bite, footsteps echoed from the stairs behind her.

Grace strolled down, dressed in Chanel's latest tweed outfit, slipping a tiny bottle of perfume back into her purse after a final spritz.

Sophie called out right on cue, "Grace, heading out for a dress? Take your sister-in-law with you."

"Sister-in-law?" That one phrase made Grace's expression twitch-her face under those soft waves practically screamed "Did I hear that right?"

"What did you say, Mom?" she asked, squinting warily toward Celeste, who was calmly finishing off the last piece of steak at the table like she hadn't just dropped a bombshell.

Was the sun rising from the west today? Her mom just called Celeste "your sister-in-law."

Celeste cleared her throat and ignored Grace's laser-like glare, swallowing her bite as she said, sounding all gentle and considerate, "No need, Mom. I'll just wear something simple. We're not businesspeople, doesn't need to be anything too fancy."

"How could that be? This is about propriety," Sophie said, pulling out a glittering card and placing it on the table. "Take this-and don't forget to pick out something nice for Ethan too."

Grace looked like someone slapped her with a brick. Was her mom running a fever or losing it completely?

Why was she being so nice to Celeste all of a sudden?

Celeste's gaze flicked to that shiny gold card, and for a second, her eyes lit up before she quickly composed herself, taking the card with a half-courteous, half-pleased smile. "Thank you, Mom, that's very kind of you!"

She made sure that "Mom" echoed loud and clear. Sophie blinked, slightly stunned, but by the time she processed it, Celeste was already at the entryway, slipping on her shoes.

"Ugh, what an act!" Grace scoffed under her breath, then stormed off in high heels clicking angrily against the floor, swinging her purse and slamming the door on her way out.

At a luxury boutique in Yannburgh-

The moment they walked in, Grace was swarmed by sales assistants. All five circled around her, tossing compliments like confetti.

Clearly someone had no clue what she actually wanted. She hadn't even tried anything on yet, but blinked once and there were already seven or eight shopping bags full of accessories by her side.

Celeste didn't mind being sidelined. In fact, she kind of enjoyed it. Alone, she strolled among the racks filled with designer gowns before stopping at a long silver-gray off-shoulder dress made of tulle.

It didn't really pop at first glance, but when Celeste asked to try it on, one of the salesgirls gave it a quick scan, then hesitated, asking cautiously, "Isn't that one a bit... plain?"

"No problem, I'll go with this one. Also, that necklace and those earrings over there-and those two rings-can I try them on?"

The sales assistant didn't quite know who she was, but since she came in right behind Grace, she clearly wasn't some random shopper. So they stayed polite and brought over everything she asked for right away.

Celeste used to study jewelry design, so she had a good eye for fashion. She knew exactly how to make an outfit shine, and what jewelry would give it that final touch-this was her element.

Meanwhile, Grace had also picked out her own outfit and accessories. The two stepped into their fitting rooms almost at the same time.

Ten minutes later, a curtain swished open.

Celeste stepped out, dressed in a silver-gray off-shoulder tulle gown that hugged her figure just right. The color brought out the porcelain tone of her skin, and with her hair swept up in a neat chignon, she looked like a vintage snow princess.

Thin silver thread earrings dangled at her jawline, and a single teardrop-shaped pendant-one of those trendy "mermaid's tear" necklaces-laid perfectly across her collarbones. The whole look was simple, stylish, elegant.

When Grace's curtain opened seconds later, the first thing she saw was all five shop assistants staring wide-eyed at the other fitting room across from her. Their gazes were locked, filled with admiration and envy.

Grace followed their gaze, then noticed Celeste. Her expression instantly darkened.

She hadn't really paid attention before, but now compared to Celeste's cool, effortless elegance, her own bedazzled get-up looked way too loud-like someone had tried to decorate a Christmas tree and went overboard.

She clenched her teeth, damn near grinding them.

"Who picked this outfit for me? It looks awful. Pick another one. Now."

The salesgirls scrambled like they were walking on eggshells, spinning away from her like tops, each one eager to stay out of the storm.

Celeste spun gracefully in front of the mirror, checked herself once more, then turned to the staff with a calm smile. "I'll take this one. Please wrap it up. And I'll take the jewelry as well. Oh, and that men's suit over there too-please pack that up for me."

Sophie had asked her to pick something for Ethan as well-she hadn't forgotten.

After paying for everything, she could still hear Grace yelling at the poor assistants in the fitting room. Celeste didn't bother lingering. She stepped outside, wanting some air.

No sooner had she exited than she heard the soft click of a camera shutter.

Without looking back, her peripheral vision caught a man near the store's display window, wearing a baseball cap and snapping photos like crazy with a DSLR.

Celeste paused, thinking. Showbiz probably hadn't had much drama lately, so a sudden extravagant shopping spree by Grace? Yeah, that could make the gossip headlines.

She narrowed her eyes, watching the sneaky paparazzo for a sec, then smirked as a thought flashed through her mind. Straightening her posture, she walked over to him without hesitation.

"What are you taking pictures of?"

Celeste suddenly showed up right in front of the reporter, scaring her so badly she lost her balance and landed on the ground with a thud. She stammered out,

"I-I didn't really take anything..."

"Nothing? Then let me have a look." Celeste held out her hand.

Instinctively, the young reporter hid her DSLR behind her back, glanced at Celeste, and scrambled to her feet, trying to bolt.

"You're snapping pics of Miss Shaw, huh?" Celeste was quick-she grabbed the strap of the camera and leaned in, tone low and serious. "Don't run, unless you want me to call the cops."

"I'm not running, I'm not! I'll delete it, okay?" The reporter looked like she was about to cry.

She knew messing with the Shaws was asking for trouble.

But Celeste just gave her a knowing smile.

"No need to delete anything. Honestly, what's the big deal about the second daughter of the Shaw family buying stuff? You think that's newsworthy? Since you're into scoops, how about we make a deal?"

*****

Night had fallen, and Yannburgh was glowing under neon lights.

By the time Ethan came home, Celeste had already finished dinner. She was in the bedroom, humming while picking jewelry to go with her dress. Spending other people's money always felt great-spending money that once belonged to someone who hated her? Even better.

The look on Sophie's face when Celeste handed her the credit card earlier today-that pained expression was just priceless.

"Where've you been all day? Didn't see you at home."

Celeste casually asked when she heard Ethan come in.

But he shot her a cold look. "Don't ask about things that don't concern you."

Her good mood evaporated in an instant. If this had been the old her, she would've raised hell.

She held herself back, took a suit out of the shopping bag, and said, "Fine, I won't ask. But can I tell you what I did today? I bought you a suit. Try it on."

"I'm not interested."

Ethan didn't even look at it. He just rolled his wheelchair toward the bathroom, like he had no patience for her.

That did it. Celeste grabbed the armrest and yanked him to a stop. "Like it or not, you're trying it on."

Ethan glanced at her hand, then slowly looked up at her. "Why?"

"Why? Because I'm your wife. I got you an outfit, and you know what they say, married couples-"

She paused midway, realizing that might not have been the best direction. Ethan was giving her a strange look too.

She cleared her throat and changed the tune, "Anyway, we're a team, right?"

"A team?" He raised an eyebrow and gave her a skeptical look.

"I picked that suit to match my gown. We're going to that wedding together, and it's the perfect chance to show everyone how tight we are. We'll look amazing together, crush them with our looks, and shut down all the gossip. Not to mention, stomp on the shady schemes some folks might be cooking up. Isn't that what being a team means?"

Her words were part sincere, part calculated.

She really didn't like how Ethan's birth mother was trying to mess with him using such underhanded tricks. So yeah, she wanted to have his back. That was the honest part. The not-so-honest part was she needed his help putting on a show at the wedding to gain some credibility in their social circle.

Who knew how much of it Ethan believed, but he eventually said,

"Leave it there. I'll try it on later."