The silence in the courtroom was suffocating, broken only by the scratch of the pen as Ryan signed the marriage certificate. His name looked bold and deliberate against the crisp white paper, and when it was my turn to sign, my hand trembled for a fleeting moment before I pressed the pen down.
It was done.
I was no longer Enisa Khalid, the girl who spent years dreaming of a perfect future with Rehan. I was now Mrs. Enisa Romero, wife to a man I barely knew and uncle to the one who had shattered my heart.
"Well, that's that," Ryan said, his voice as calm as if he had just closed a business deal instead of agreeing to a marriage born out of spite and desperation. He leaned back slightly, slipping his hands into his pockets, his expression unreadable.
I nodded, unsure what to say. The bouquet in my hands suddenly felt heavy, its sweet fragrance turning cloying. This wasn't how today was supposed to go.
"Why did you do it?" I asked finally, my voice barely above a whisper. Ryan tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve. "Why did you ask?"
"Because I needed to," I shot back, my words sharper than I intended. He chuckled, a low, amused sound that made me bristle. "Fair enough. Let's just say I don't enjoy family drama, and marrying you seemed like the quickest way to stir up a hornet's nest."
His bluntness caught me off guard, and I stared at him, unsure whether to be insulted or grateful for his honesty.
"So, this is revenge for you too?"
"Call it what you want," he replied with a shrug. "But if we're doing this, we need to set some ground rules."
We left the courthouse together, stepping into the grey afternoon that still carried the scent of rain. Ryan's car a sleek black sedan that seemed to reflect his personality elegant, controlled, and slightly menacing waited at the curb. He opened the passenger door for me, a surprisingly gentlemanly gesture that felt out of place in the chaos of the day.
"Where do you live?" he asked once we were both seated, his voice cool and detached.
I hesitated. The apartment I shared with Liyana was out of the question. The thought of returning there and seeing her smug, guilty face made my stomach churn.
"Just take me to your place," I said, the words tumbling out before I could reconsider.
He raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
The ride from the courthouse was quiet, filled only with the hum of Ryan's sleek black car as it maneuvered through the streets. I sat stiffly in the passenger seat, clutching the ivory roses that now felt like a cruel joke. The man beside me was as composed as ever, his dark eyes focused on the road ahead, giving nothing away.
When the car finally stopped, I looked up and froze. The villa before me was breathtaking. A sprawling estate nestled on a private hill, the mansion gleamed under the soft glow of the setting sun. Its architecture was a seamless blend of classic elegance and modern luxury, with tall white columns, expansive glass windows, and perfectly manicured gardens that stretched as far as the eye could see. A grand fountain sat at the center of the circular driveway, its waters dancing in the golden light.
This wasn't a home, it was a statement.
Ryan stepped out first, handing his keys to a valet who appeared instantly. He turned to me, his expression calm but with a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he noticed my wide eyed stare.
"You coming, Mrs. Romero?" he asked, the corner of his mouth tugging into a small smirk.
I blinked and nodded, stepping out of the car. The marble steps leading up to the villa's entrance seemed endless, but I climbed them with as much composure as I could muster.
The double doors opened before we reached them, revealing a team of staff waiting inside. At least half a dozen servants stood in neat rows, their uniforms crisp and their postures straight. A middle aged man with salt and pepper hair stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Welcome back, sir," he said before his gaze shifted to me. "And to you, madam. I am Elias, the head steward. Please let me know if you require anything during your stay."
I barely managed a nod, the surrealism of the moment threatening to overwhelm me.
Inside the Villa
The interior of the villa was even more impressive than its exterior. High ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors that reflected every light, and walls lined with art pieces that I could tell were worth more than my entire life savings. The main living area opened up to a view of an infinity pool that seemed to stretch into the horizon, blending seamlessly with the sea beyond. The space was luxurious yet strangely cold, devoid of personal touches.
"Your room is upstairs, last door on the left," Ryan said, breaking the silence as he handed his jacket to one of the waiting staff. "Dinner will be served in an hour if you're hungry."
I turned to face him, crossing my arms. "Is this how it's going to be? You giving orders and me nodding along?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I wasn't aware I needed your permission to explain the basics of living here." The man was infuriatingly calm, as if my presence in his life was just another line item on his endless to do list.
"I want answers, Ryan," I said, stepping closer. "You agreed to marry me, but I don't even know why. What's in this for you?" He took a step back, creating a deliberate distance between us. "What's in this for me is none of your concern. You wanted an escape, and I provided one. Let's leave it at that."
"Convenient," I muttered, my voice dripping with sarcasm. He ignored me, turning to Elias. "Make sure she has everything she needs." Then, without another word, he disappeared up the grand staircase, leaving me alone in a house that felt more like a palace.
The First Night
The room Elias led me to was fit for royalty. A king sized bed with plush bedding sat at the center, flanked by nightstands adorned with fresh flowers. The adjoining bathroom was larger than my entire apartment, complete with a freestanding tub that overlooked the gardens. I ran my fingers along the edge of the bed, the softness of the fabric feeling foreign against my skin. This was my life now a gilded cage.
As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ornate ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just made a deal with the devil. Ryan Trent Romero wasn't just a man he was an empire in human form, commanding power and wealth that could crush anyone in its path.
But beneath his calm exterior, I sensed something darker, something he wasn't showing me yet. And I couldn't help but wonder had I stepped into his world, or had he lured me into a carefully set trap?