"This way, ma'am," the maid said, her polished accent echoing through the grand foyer of the Eaton mansion.
Lily followed, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. She'd grown up in luxury, but this... this was something else entirely. It was as if she'd stepped into a movie set or a fairytale castle.
The floors were gleaming marble, intricate patterns swirling beneath her feet. Chandeliers dripped from impossibly high ceilings, their crystals catching the light and scattering rainbows across the walls. But what truly took Lily's breath away were the details - railings and decorative elements that appeared to be crafted from pure gold, studded here and there with what she could only assume were real diamonds.
Who the hell even decorates their house with real diamonds and gold?! Of course, Eatons' can—as they have so much looted wealth from the Mafia business.
Behind her, two impeccably dressed butlers carried her luggage, their steps silent on the plush carpets. Lily felt small, out of place in this world of opulence that seemed to dwarf even her own family's wealth.
As they ascended a sweeping staircase, Lily's hand trailed along the banister, cool gold metal beneath her fingertips. She wondered idly how many fortunes were contained in this single piece of architecture.
Finally, they reached a set of white double doors. The maid pushed them open with a flourish, revealing Lily's new room.
"Your room, Mrs. Eaton," the maid announced, stepping aside to let Lily enter.
Lily's jaw dropped. The room was enormous, easily the size of the entire first floor of her family's home. And it was pink - her favorite color - but not the garish pink of a child's room. This was a sophisticated palette of blush, rose gold, and soft coral tones that created an atmosphere both elegant and welcoming—and even romantic.
A massive four-poster bed dominated one wall, draped in silks that shimmered in the light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Plush carpets muffled her steps as she moved further into the room, taking in the antique writing desk, the chaise lounge perfect for reading, and the state-of-the-art entertainment system discreetly tucked into an ornate cabinet.
"Is everything to your liking, ma'am?" the maid asked.
Lily could only nod, still overwhelmed. With a curtsy, the maid and butlers withdrew, leaving Lily alone to explore.
She made her way to what she assumed was the closet, pushing open another set of double doors. What greeted her was not a closet, but an entire room dedicated to fashion.
To her left was a wall of shoes, every designer label she could think of represented. Louboutins, Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks, Gucchi - they were all there, in every color and style imaginable.
Turning to her right, Lily gasped. Racks upon racks of clothing stretched before her, organized by color and style. She reached out, running her fingers along the fabric of a Chanel dress. Pulling it out, she checked the tag - it was exactly her size.
"How does he know my size...?" she murmured, replacing the dress and moving deeper into the closet.
At the far end, she discovered a series of drawers. Opening the first one, she nearly stumbled back in shock. Diamond jewelry winked up at her, nestled in black velvet. The next drawer revealed ropes of pearls, and another contained platinum sets of necklaces, earrings, and pendants that caught the light in mesmerizing ways.
Lily's mind raced, trying to calculate the value of what she was seeing. The clothes alone must be worth millions, and the luxury jewelry... she couldn't even begin to estimate. Two hundred million dollars? More?
As she closed the drawers, her fingers trembling slightly, Lily caught sight of herself in a full-length mirror. She looked small, almost lost in this sea of luxury.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered to her reflection, the weight of her new reality settling heavily on her shoulders.
In this moment, surrounded by more wealth than she'd ever imagined, Lily felt more trapped than ever. This room, this closet - it was all a golden cage. And she, Mrs. Eaton, was the bird expected to sing prettily within its confines.
…
As Lily stood before the full-length mirror, she barely recognized herself. Gone was the nerdy girl with glasses and braces. The beauty surgery had transformed her exterior, but surrounded by this opulence, she felt her very essence changing. Uncertainty clouded her eyes as she gazed at her reflection.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through her reverie. "Like what you see?"
Lily whirled around to find Chris Eaton leaning against the doorframe, a smirk playing on his lips. She stood frozen as he sauntered towards her, his presence filling the room.
"I have something for you," Chris said, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket.
Lily's breath caught in her throat as he opened it, revealing a stunning blue diamond ring. The stone seemed to capture and reflect every bit of light in the room, creating a dazzling display.
"This," Chris began, his voice low and intense, "is one of the rarest diamonds in the world - the Blue Moon diamond. There are only three of its kind in existence."
Lily listened, mesmerized, as Chris continued. "One belonged to Marie Antoinette, the late Queen of France. Another graces the hand of the Indian Princess Roshni Birla." He paused, his blue eyes locking with hers. "And now, the third belongs to you, Mrs. Eaton."
With gentle reverence, Chris slipped the ring onto Lily's finger. She stared at it, transfixed by its beauty and the weight of its significance.
"It's... it's beautiful," Lily whispered, her voice barely audible.
Chris gently took Lily's hand, sliding the Blue Moon diamond onto her finger. The cool weight of the ring sent a shiver through her, a mix of excitement and trepidation coursing through her veins. For a moment, she allowed herself to be swept up in the fairytale of it all - the stunning ring, the opulent surroundings, the handsome man before her.
Chris lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles just above the ring. The tender gesture sent a jolt of electricity through Lily, her breath catching in her throat.
But as quickly as the moment of enchantment came, it vanished. Reality crashed back in like a cold wave, and Lily jerked her hand away from Chris's grasp. Her heart pounded, not just from his touch, but from the stark reminder of who he truly was.
This man, with his piercing blue eyes and disarming smile, was still Chris Eaton - son of a mafia king, a dangerous man who had bound her to him through manipulation and fear. No amount of diamonds or designer clothes could change that fundamental truth.
Lily took a step back, her eyes wary as she regarded Chris. She reminded herself of her true mission - to protect herself, to find a way out of this golden cage. The luxuries he showered upon her were just another form of chains, binding her more tightly to him with each extravagant gift.
"Thank you for the ring," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "It's... overwhelming."
Chris's eyes narrowed slightly at her retreat, a flicker of something - disappointment? frustration? - crossing his face before his usual confident mask slipped back into place.
"Only the best for Mrs. Eaton," he replied smoothly, but there was an edge to his voice that made Lily's skin prickle with unease.
Chris's hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "You look impressed, my dear wife," he murmured, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. "Can I get a kiss from you?"