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CHAPTER 3
~Zara's POV~
I walked outside, my heels clicking against the pavement sharply. I stopped in front of Ivan's car, his precious new shiny toy and my lips curled upward.
"Goodbye, Ivan," I muttered, and lifted my heel, slamming it into the windshield. The glass splintered and shattered as the alarm rang immediately.
Satisfied, I walked away from the scene, left the remnants of our life behind and waited by the curb for Snow's car.
He couldn't do a payback. Upon my arrival, I texted Ella to come get my car from the apartment. I knew she had questions but I wasn't ready.
She'd be here any minute. I hoped Snow came first. The car arrived soon after, a Bugatti La Voiture sleek and polished, exuding luxury and power.
I raised an eyebrow. Maybe I had underestimated the man I just married. The car door opened, and not giving me any time to think, a chauffeur stepped out, lowering his head.
"Good day, Ms Zara."
Oh I see, our call boy hadn't introduced me to his rented ride? Whoever he was, I just didn't care.
I responded to him and had my luggage taken from me. With the passenger door opened, I slid into the backseat, feeling the soft leather beneath me.
The driver gave me a polite nod and handed me a phone. "Mr. Snow would like to speak with you," he said.
I took the phone, my heart suddenly pounding again. "Hello?"
"Zara," came Snow's calm, deep voice. "I'd like you to come to my house immediately. We have some formalities to take care of."
I swallowed, nodding even though he couldn't see me. "Sure. I'll be there."
The further we drove, the more I realized that Snow was no ordinary man. We pulled up to a grand mansion, three times the size of Ivan's measly apartment.
I gawked for a moment before regaining my composure. Squaring my shoulders, I steeled myself against the intimidating luxury.
I was led inside, the lavish interior gleaming with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and ornate furnishings I'd never seen before.
I inhaled deeply. Having not had any of this experience in my past lives, I didn't know what to expect.
I was shown into an elegant living room and asked to wait. I sat on the plush couch, trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened in the last few hours.
Snow appeared a few minutes later, his expression calm but his eyes held a sharpness and boldness that left me tongue-tied.
"Hello, Zara." His velvety deep voice made my wolf react in a way that I knew all too well.
Astrid liked him.
He held a document in one hand and a pen in the other. He moved with a calm confidence that unnerved me.
"Welcome to my home." I attempted to stand but he stopped me, taking his seat opposite me. "Please, sit."
Okay, I'm definitely killing Ella for doing this to me. I wasn't prepared for this shit.
But I never showed it neither could I ask if this was all true or a ruse. I had my doubts but I would soon realize where my mistake lay.
I sat down, trying to maintain my composure. "So, what do we need to sign?"
"I assume you understand the importance of this agreement," he began, his tone warm but calculating as he placed the document on the glass table between us and slid me a copy.
I tilted my head, meeting his gaze directly. "I assume you understand I'm not here to play games," I shot back.
He smirked a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Good. Because neither am I. Read it carefully. I don't like surprises, and I doubt you do either."
I didn't respond.
"This outlines our agreement," he continued. "One year. We maintain appearances, but our personal lives remain separate. Any breach of this contract will result in a hefty penalty."
"I'm not interested in anything beyond the terms we agreed on," I stated firmly.
"Agreed," Snow nodded, but the gleam in his eye told me there was more to this than met the eye. "Sign, and our contract marriage will be official." He handed me the pen, his fingers brushing against mine for just a moment, and I felt a jolt of something I couldn't quite place.
I held the stylish calligraphy pen, not even glancing at the papers. "Fine by me," I replied and signed my name. His brows lifted in surprise.
I wasn't afraid of what might be hidden there. I'd dealt with worse.
"You're not going to read it?"
I met his gaze squarely. "No need. I know what I'm getting into. This is strictly business, right?"
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "If you say so. But I should warn you, there are clauses—"
"I don't care," I cut him off, standing. "As long as you don't interfere in my life, we're good."
Snow watched me for a moment, then nodded, seemingly amused as he stood. "Very well. I respect your straightforwardness, Zara. Welcome to your new life," he said softly.
"Sure," I stated indifferently.
"You might find it's more than you bargained for."
I met his gaze steadily, feeling a thrill of challenge ripple through me. "We'll see about that," I replied.
Just then, my phone buzzed again. I glanced down, seeing Ivan's name flashing once more. Snow's eyes caught the movement, and he raised an eyebrow. "Trouble?"
I let out a frustrated sigh. "My ex-fiancé. He can't seem to grasp that I've moved on."
Snow's smile turned colder, sharper. "Should I deal with him?"
I laughed. His brows creased. I didn't doubt him but this was my fight. "I can handle my problems, thank you."
Snow nodded, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me wonder what he was thinking. He picked up his phone, dialled a number, and within seconds, the doors opened, and two men dressed in all-black suits walked in.
I looked at them, then back at Snow, frowning. "What is this?"
"Just insurance," he replied smoothly. "To make sure our agreement is... protected."
I stood up, my heart racing. "I don't need protection, Snow. I just need space."
He leaned forward, his eyes darkening slightly. "You've got space, Zara. Just remember, you're my wife now, even if it's just on paper. And I take my responsibilities seriously."
A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to back down. "Good," I shot back. "Because I take mine seriously too Mr…"
It was at this time I knew I truly fucked up. I didn't check his card or bother to read the marriage certificate either. Neither did I know his last name.
Snow smiled a slow, dangerous smile. "I'm starting to like you, Zara. You've got fire. I think we're going to get along just fine." I was glad he didn't hint at my earlier error. "Oh."
"Yes?"
His gaze drifted to my luggage. I noticed the disapproving stare and I frowned. He dipped his hand into his pocket and handed me a gold card.
"That won't do, Zara. Here. You'll need to do some shopping. You can take the chauffeur with you later."
"No need. I have…" he moved swiftly. In a second he was by my side and pushing the card into my hand. I glanced at it. I knew it. It was an unlimited card with only three in the entire country.
I lifted my head to look at him. He snapped his fingers and immediately two neatly dressed maids rushed in, lowering their heads.
"Please, take her to her room." I was glad we weren't sharing the same one. My thoughts soon hit fail.
"We should be sleeping together but all his is impromptu. I'll need to prepare."
Prepare? For what? He wasn't joking about our first night together?
"No need," I spat.
"Okay then. We both love our space." My jaw almost hit the floor. Wasn't this the part where he should have cajoled me and said couples needed to sleep together, at least for the sake of keeping up appearances?
Guess he already mentioned to the staff. I sucked it up. It was better this way.
I managed a smile and as I turned to leave, my phone buzzed again, but this time it wasn't Ivan. It was an unknown number. I answered cautiously. "Hello?"
There was a pause, and then a familiar voice. "Zara, it's…"
"Clarissa." My tone was clipped.
"Good. We need to talk."
I froze, the shock and fury coursing through me all over again. "Oh, we will," I whispered, my grip tightening on the phone. "Believe me, we will and soon."
I didn't wait for her and ended the call sharply. I felt intense stares on my back but I didn't turn and let the maids lead me to my new room.
I had a new life to sort and now all I wanted to do was get out of these clothes and shower.