Elizabeth couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her since meeting Xavier's cousin, Thomas. His words replayed in her mind on a loop, warning her of secrets she couldn't even begin to imagine. She reminded herself that she was here for practical reasons—nothing more, nothing less. But the foreboding look in Thomas's eyes, coupled with his cryptic warning, had sparked a deep curiosity she couldn't ignore.
That evening, as she entered the estate's private dining room for dinner, she spotted Xavier at the head of the table, already seated and reviewing something on his phone. He looked up as she entered, his face unreadable, though his eyes softened slightly when they met hers.
"Elizabeth," he greeted, standing up to pull out her chair. She took her seat, feeling an unexpected flutter at the small, gentlemanly gesture. He returned to his own seat, and they settled into a comfortable silence as the staff served the first course.
For a while, they ate in silence, but Elizabeth couldn't help noticing how focused Xavier seemed. His jaw was set, and his eyes had a faraway look. She knew him well enough by now to see he was deep in thought. Thomas's words resurfaced, urging her to ask the question she'd been holding back all day.
"Xavier," she began carefully, setting down her fork. "I met your cousin, Thomas, in the gardens earlier."
Xavier looked up sharply, his expression hardening almost imperceptibly. "Oh?"
"Yes," she replied, observing his reaction. "He seemed… curious about me."
"That sounds like Thomas," Xavier muttered, his tone guarded.
"He also… gave me a warning," she continued, choosing her words delicately. "He implied that there were things I didn't know about this family. Things that might be dangerous if I got too close."
Xavier's face darkened, his gaze cooling. "Thomas has a habit of overstepping. He's always been… complicated."
"Complicated how?" Elizabeth pressed, feeling that familiar spark of curiosity. "Is there something I should know?"
Xavier let out a sigh, setting his glass down. "Thomas and I have had our differences, especially in recent years. He's ambitious and has his own ideas about what's best for the family. We don't see eye to eye, and he's taken issue with certain decisions I've made. He's the type who likes to test boundaries. And he likely sees you as a pawn in some family game."
The way Xavier dismissed it made her wonder if he was avoiding the full truth. "So… is there something to worry about? Are you two in some kind of power struggle?"
Xavier's expression softened, though there was an edge to his gaze. "You don't need to worry about Thomas. Whatever conflicts we have, they're between him and me. It's part of the business, part of the family."
Elizabeth didn't miss the careful way he chose his words, leaving just enough unsaid to make her even more curious. "I understand, but… if I'm part of this family now, don't you think I deserve to know what I'm getting into?"
He studied her, his face unreadable for a moment. "Elizabeth, this arrangement was meant to be simple. I didn't want to pull you into the family's conflicts. Thomas may try to unsettle you, but you have my word that I'll protect you from anything that might arise."
"But why does he seem to resent you so much?" she pressed. "He made it sound like there's a whole other side to you that I don't know."
Xavier paused, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he considered his response. "Thomas believes I took something from him. He thought he deserved to inherit more control in the family business. My grandfather saw potential in me and entrusted me with more responsibilities than Thomas liked. He's carried a grudge ever since. But it's nothing you need to concern yourself with. Thomas has his own ambitions, and he's bitter that I stand in his way."
"Is that why he tried to warn me? To turn me against you?" she asked, feeling a chill run down her spine.
Xavier nodded, his expression softening. "Exactly. He probably sees you as another means to undermine me. But you don't have to worry, Elizabeth. Thomas is all talk. I won't let him interfere in our lives."
She nodded, though the tension in her chest hadn't entirely faded. She wanted to trust Xavier, to believe that he was being honest with her. But the nagging feeling persisted—that there was still more to this family dynamic than he was letting on.
"Thank you for being honest with me," she said quietly, meeting his gaze. "I'm just… trying to understand where I fit into all of this."
Xavier's face softened, and for a moment, the guarded mask slipped. "You're here because I trust you, Elizabeth. Whatever Thomas says, don't let him shake that."
They finished their meal in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Elizabeth's mind raced, questions swirling, but she held back. It was clear that Xavier was keeping his guard up, protecting her in his own way—or perhaps protecting himself. She couldn't be sure.
The next day, as Elizabeth was in her suite, she received a text from Xavier: "Meeting this afternoon at the board. I'd like you to join me."
The message surprised her. She hadn't expected Xavier to involve her so directly in his work. But a sense of determination flared within her. If she was going to be part of his world, then she wanted to understand every aspect of it, even the difficult parts.
An hour later, she was standing in the foyer, dressed in a tailored black blazer and matching skirt. Xavier met her there, giving her an approving nod.
"Ready?" he asked, his gaze lingering on her, perhaps assessing her resolve.
She nodded, standing tall. "Absolutely."
The drive to the board meeting was quiet, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Xavier was unusually reserved, his mind clearly focused on the upcoming discussions. Elizabeth glanced at him, sensing the weight of his responsibilities. For the first time, she saw a hint of vulnerability in him—a subtle tension in his jaw, a slight crease in his brow.
As they arrived at the Cole Corporation's headquarters, she felt a surge of nerves. This was Xavier's world, a place she knew was filled with power plays and corporate politics. She followed him through the grand, modern lobby and into the boardroom, where a group of executives sat waiting. A familiar face stood near the head of the table—Thomas, wearing a smug smile as he watched their entrance.
"Ah, Xavier," Thomas drawled, his tone smooth yet condescending. "And Elizabeth, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect you'd bring your… wife."
Xavier's jaw tightened, but he remained composed. "Elizabeth is here as my partner, Thomas. She deserves to understand the company she's a part of."
Thomas's eyes flickered with something dark. "Of course. A true partnership." He gave Elizabeth a nod, the smile not reaching his eyes. "I look forward to working with you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth forced a polite smile, but the chill in Thomas's gaze was unmistakable. She could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface, a quiet battle of wills between Xavier and his cousin.
The meeting proceeded with discussions of the company's direction, quarterly earnings, and future investments. Xavier was in his element, speaking with authority and commanding respect from the board members. Elizabeth watched him, impressed by his calm confidence and sharp intellect. But she couldn't ignore the subtle barbs Thomas threw into the conversation, thinly veiled criticisms of Xavier's leadership and decisions.
Finally, the discussion turned to a significant new deal—a merger Xavier had been negotiating for months. But before Xavier could present his final recommendations, Thomas interjected.
"With all due respect, Xavier," Thomas said smoothly, "I believe this merger is risky. Perhaps it would be wise to consider other options. The board deserves a comprehensive analysis, don't you think?"
Xavier's expression remained impassive, but Elizabeth could sense the strain beneath his calm exterior. "I've done the analysis, Thomas. This merger is in the best interest of the company. We've reviewed every angle, and the numbers are solid."
Thomas leaned back, his smile widening. "Numbers can be manipulated. I just think we owe it to ourselves—and our shareholders—to be absolutely certain."
The room was silent, tension thick in the air. Elizabeth felt a surge of frustration on Xavier's behalf. She knew enough to see that Thomas was undermining him, planting seeds of doubt in the board's minds.
Finally, Xavier turned to the board, his voice steady. "The decision is ultimately yours, but I believe this merger is essential for our growth. I've dedicated months to this project, and I stand by my recommendation."
One of the board members spoke up, nodding in agreement. "Xavier has a strong track record. I trust his judgment on this."
A few others murmured their support, and it was clear the board was siding with Xavier. Thomas's face hardened, his composure slipping just slightly.
As the meeting concluded, Thomas lingered, giving Elizabeth a long, assessing look. "Interesting choice to bring her, Xavier," he said coolly. "I hope she's prepared for what comes with being part of this family."
Xavier met his gaze, his eyes cold. "She's stronger than you think, Thomas. And she won't be intimidated by your games."
Thomas gave a faint, mocking smile, then turned and left, leaving a chill in the air.
Elizabeth felt a strange mixture of relief and apprehension as she turned to Xavier, who placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his expression softening. "I'm sorry about that," Xavier said quietly, the warmth in his touch contradicting the chill Thomas had left behind. "I didn't intend for you to be pulled into this family drama. But I wanted you to see for yourself what we're up against."
Elizabeth gave a slight nod, trying to process everything that had just unfolded. "Thank you for trusting me enough to bring me here. I don't mind being part of this—it's just… more intense than I expected."
Xavier smiled, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "I know it's a lot. But you handled yourself well. Thomas wasn't expecting you to stand so confidently by my side."
"I can tell he enjoys making things difficult for you," she replied, trying to inject some lightness into her voice, though the tension of the meeting still lingered.
"That's putting it mildly." Xavier chuckled, though his expression remained serious. "He's tried to undermine me at every turn. He thinks he can outmaneuver me, but he doesn't understand that this company, this life—it's everything to me. I'm not about to let him take it away."
Elizabeth's heart twisted at his words, and she found herself reaching out, placing a hand on his arm. "You're stronger than he is, Xavier. I could see it in that room. The board respects you. You're not alone in this, no matter what Thomas tries to do."
He looked down at her hand on his arm, his eyes softening, and for a brief, intense moment, she could sense an unspoken vulnerability beneath his carefully constructed armor. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice low. "You don't know how much that means to me."
The warmth in his gaze lingered, drawing Elizabeth closer in ways she hadn't anticipated. She felt her breath hitch as she became acutely aware of his closeness, the charged space between them.
But then Xavier straightened, his professional demeanor reasserting itself. "Let's get out of here," he said, offering her a faint smile. "We've done enough damage for one day."
Elizabeth followed him out of the boardroom, her thoughts swirling with a mix of pride and confusion. Being by Xavier's side today had shown her another side of him—one that was fiercely protective, determined, and willing to fight for what he believed in. But it had also revealed something about herself: she wanted to be part of this. Not just because of the contract, not even out of loyalty, but because, against all odds, she cared about him.
Later that evening, as they returned to the estate, Xavier invited her to join him in his private study, a space she'd never entered before. The room was warm and intimate, filled with bookshelves and a crackling fireplace that cast a soft glow across the room.
"Wine?" he offered, pouring a glass for each of them before she could answer.
She accepted it, feeling the warmth of the drink spread through her, loosening the tension from the day. They sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the soft crackling of the fire. It was a rare, quiet moment, a respite from the weight of the family's expectations and the tension that Thomas's presence had stirred.
After a long silence, Xavier spoke, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "You know, Elizabeth, I wasn't expecting any of this. Not you, not… feeling like I have someone I can trust again." He paused, looking down into his glass as if gathering his thoughts. "For so long, it's been me against the world. Even when I took over the company, there was always this… sense of isolation. But with you here, I don't feel that anymore."
Elizabeth's heart pounded in her chest. She'd sensed his loneliness before, glimpsed it in the cracks of his armor. But hearing him admit it made her feel closer to him than she ever thought she could. "I know what you mean," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think I'd ever feel like I belonged somewhere again. But here, with you, it's different. I feel like… maybe I could."
Their eyes met, and in that moment, the tension that had been building between them since their marriage became undeniable. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek. She could feel the warmth of his touch, the steady beat of his heart in the silence between them.
Before she could fully process what was happening, he leaned in, his gaze intense, and she felt her heart leap. His lips met hers in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened, fueled by the unspoken emotions that had been simmering between them for so long.
When they finally pulled apart, she could see a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, and it mirrored the feelings coursing through her.
"Elizabeth," he murmured, his voice raw. "I know this wasn't part of the plan. But… maybe it doesn't have to be just a contract anymore."
She held his gaze, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what she was feeling. She'd agreed to this arrangement with the idea of remaining detached, keeping her heart out of it. But now, with him sitting here, looking at her with an honesty she'd never seen before, she realized she was already in deeper than she'd ever intended.
"I… I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her own confusion and desire. "I didn't think this would happen either, but… maybe you're right. Maybe we don't have to keep pretending."
The words felt like a risk, a step into the unknown, but the warmth in Xavier's gaze gave her the courage to let them hang in the air.
He took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Let's take it one day at a time. No more pretending, no more walls. Just… us, for as long as it feels right."
Elizabeth felt a wave of relief and exhilaration wash over her. She knew there were still so many unanswered questions, so many challenges they'd have to face. But for now, here in the warmth of the study, with Xavier's hand in hers, she felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this unconventional beginning could lead to something real.
They sat together in comfortable silence, watching the flames dance in the fireplace, each of them daring to hope that their story might just be beginning.