The car ride to Sebastian Kane's mansion was no less awkward than the previous one. Chloe sat stiffly, arms crossed as she glared out the window. She could feel Sebastian's presence like an oppressive storm cloud beside her, but she refused to acknowledge him.
When the car turned down a private drive flanked by towering oak trees, Chloe couldn't help but gasp. At the end of the drive stood a sprawling modern mansion, all sharp angles, glass walls, and perfectly manicured landscaping. It looked more like an art gallery than a home.
"Of course you live in a Bond villain's lair," she muttered.
Sebastian glanced at her, unimpressed. "It's practical."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Yeah, practical for a billionaire who doesn't want to be disturbed by the common folk."
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the entrance. Before Chloe could reach for the door handle, a uniformed butler opened it for her, offering a polite nod. "Welcome, Mrs. Kane."
"Don't call me that," Chloe said instinctively, then winced when the butler raised an eyebrow. "I mean, thank you. Uh, hi."
Sebastian brushed past her, walking briskly toward the house. "Come on. We don't have all day."
Chloe followed reluctantly, stepping into a cavernous foyer that gleamed with marble and polished wood. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, refracting sunlight across the pristine floors. The air smelled faintly of lavender and something expensive she couldn't quite place.
"You'll be staying in the east wing," Sebastian said, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "Your things will be brought up shortly."
"My things?" Chloe asked, bewildered. "How do you even know where I live?"
Sebastian didn't break stride. "I have resources."
"Right, of course you do," Chloe muttered, glaring at his back. "Remind me to change my locks once this nightmare is over."
He ignored her, leading her up a grand staircase and down a hallway lined with abstract art pieces. He stopped in front of a set of double doors and pushed them open, revealing a guest suite larger than her entire apartment.
The room was a vision of understated luxury—soft neutral tones, plush furniture, and a wall of windows that overlooked the sprawling gardens. A king-sized bed dominated the center, its crisp white linens looking untouched and far too inviting.
"This will be your room," Sebastian said curtly. "Mine is on the opposite side of the house. I suggest we keep it that way."
"Trust me, I have no interest in playing house with you," Chloe snapped, dropping her bag onto the bed. "I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine."
Sebastian tilted his head, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "You'll find that difficult, considering the terms of our agreement."
Chloe scowled. "Oh, don't worry, Mr. Kane. I'll be the perfect little trophy wife. Smile at your fancy parties, nod at the right people, and stay invisible the rest of the time. Does that sound good enough for you?"
"Perfect," Sebastian said, his tone clipped. "Dinner is at eight. Be presentable."
Before Chloe could fire back, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving her standing there fuming.
She flopped onto the bed, staring up at the vaulted ceiling. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
---
Later That Evening
Chloe spent the next few hours wandering the mansion, partly to get her bearings and partly because she couldn't stand being cooped up in her room. Every turn revealed more luxury—an indoor pool, a private theater, and even a library that looked like it belonged in a castle.
Despite the opulence, the house felt cold and impersonal. It didn't take long for Chloe to realize that, for all its grandeur, it wasn't a home. It was a cage.
At precisely eight, she made her way to the dining room, dressed in the only semi-decent outfit she'd brought—a simple black dress that was too casual for the setting but would have to do.
Sebastian was already there, seated at the head of the long table, scrolling through his phone. He didn't look up as she entered.
"You're late," he said flatly.
Chloe glanced at the clock on the wall. "By two minutes. Relax, Time Lord."
Sebastian finally looked up, his eyes narrowing as they scanned her. "That's what you're wearing?"
Chloe bristled. "Sorry I didn't get the memo about the black-tie dress code. Next time, I'll rent a ball gown."
Before Sebastian could respond, the butler appeared, carrying a tray of appetizers. Chloe plopped into a chair halfway down the table, as far from Sebastian as she could manage.
The meal passed in strained silence, punctuated only by the clink of silverware. Chloe could feel Sebastian's gaze on her occasionally, but she refused to look at him.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "Do you always eat in silence, or is this your special way of making me feel unwelcome?"
Sebastian set down his glass of wine, his expression unreadable. "I'm not in the habit of making conversation with people who bring chaos into my life."
Chloe scoffed. "Oh, please. Like your life wasn't already a soap opera before I showed up."
Sebastian's lips twitched, almost as if he wanted to smile but wouldn't let himself. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Maybe not," Chloe said, leaning back in her chair. "But I do know one thing: you're not nearly as scary as you think you are."
Sebastian arched an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly. "And you're not nearly as innocent as you pretend to be."
The tension crackled between them, neither willing to back down. Chloe realized with a jolt that she might have underestimated him—not just his arrogance, but the sharp mind lurking behind those cold blue eyes.
This was going to be a long three months.
---