Chloe's first week in the mansion felt like walking on eggshells. The vast space might have been luxurious, but it was also suffocating. Every corner reminded her she didn't belong here—whether it was the crystal chandeliers, the priceless art lining the walls, or the constant presence of silent, efficient staff who seemed to materialize out of thin air.
She spent most of her time in the east wing, sketching by the large bay windows or exploring the sprawling gardens. It was a temporary distraction, but every now and then, her thoughts wandered to Sebastian and their arrangement.
As promised, Sebastian kept his distance. He was rarely home during the day, always locked in meetings or off managing his empire. When he was around, his presence was like an icy gust of wind, and their interactions were limited to clipped conversations over dinner or the occasional sarcastic remark in passing.
Chloe also discovered the downsides of being married to a billionaire. The tabloids caught wind of the "secret marriage," and while they didn't have any photos or juicy details, speculation ran rampant. Headlines like "Reclusive Tech Mogul Weds in Secret Ceremony!" and "Who Is Mrs. Kane?" plastered gossip sites, leaving Chloe anxious about being recognized whenever she ventured outside.
One afternoon, she found herself in the library, flipping through a dusty tome she had no real interest in. The door creaked open, and she looked up to see Mrs. Hargrove, the head housekeeper, entering with a warm smile.
"Mrs. Kane," she said gently, "I've brought tea. Thought you might need a bit of company."
Chloe sighed. "First, please call me Chloe. Second, I think 'company' is the last thing your boss wants me to have."
Mrs. Hargrove chuckled, setting the tray down on the table. "Don't mind Mr. Kane. He's not as cold as he seems."
"Really?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Because he gives glaciers a run for their money."
The older woman smiled knowingly. "Let's just say, he's had his share of troubles. But you might be good for him, Chloe."
Chloe snorted. "I doubt that. He barely tolerates me."
"Perhaps," Mrs. Hargrove said, pouring the tea. "But sometimes, it's the people we least expect who shake things up for the better."
Chloe didn't know how to respond to that. She spent the rest of the afternoon sipping tea and thinking about the enigmatic man she'd accidentally married.
---
Two weeks into their arrangement, Chloe was rudely reminded of the terms she'd agreed to.
Sebastian appeared in her room one evening, a garment bag slung over his shoulder. He dropped it onto her bed without ceremony.
"What's this?" Chloe asked, eyeing the bag suspiciously.
"Your dress for tonight's gala," Sebastian said. "We're expected to make an appearance."
Chloe frowned. "A gala? You didn't mention anything about a gala."
"You agreed to accompany me to events," Sebastian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Be ready in an hour."
Before she could protest, he was gone, leaving her to glare at the garment bag. She unzipped it reluctantly, revealing an elegant emerald gown. The fabric shimmered in the light, and the cut was both sophisticated and daring.
Chloe stared at it, a knot forming in her stomach. She didn't belong in a world of designer gowns and glittering galas. But she'd agreed to play the part, and she wasn't about to back out now.
---
An hour later, she stood at the top of the grand staircase, her hair styled and the gown hugging her in all the right places. The heels pinched her feet, and the jewelry Sebastian had sent up felt heavy on her neck, but she had to admit she looked the part.
Sebastian waited at the bottom, his black tuxedo tailored to perfection. His eyes flicked up to her, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw a flicker of surprise in his expression.
"You clean up well," he said, his tone neutral.
"And you look exactly how I expected," Chloe replied, descending the stairs with as much grace as she could muster.
He smirked. "Let's get this over with."
---
The gala was held in a glittering ballroom filled with New York's elite. Chloe felt every pair of eyes on her as they entered, her hand resting lightly on Sebastian's arm. Whispers followed them—questions about the mysterious woman who had somehow landed the city's most unattainable bachelor.
Sebastian guided her through the crowd with practiced ease, his demeanor cool and aloof. Chloe tried to follow his lead, smiling politely and nodding at the right moments, but she couldn't ignore the sharp stares from the other women in the room.
At one point, Sebastian stepped away to speak with a business associate, leaving Chloe momentarily alone. She took a deep breath, retreating to the edge of the room to escape the scrutiny.
"You're braver than I thought," a voice said behind her.
Chloe turned to see a stunning brunette in a crimson gown, her expression both amused and curious.
"Excuse me?" Chloe asked, unsure how to respond.
"Marrying Sebastian," the woman said, her red lips curving into a smile. "Not many women would dare."
Chloe forced a smile. "Well, I like a challenge."
The woman's gaze sharpened. "Just be careful. Sebastian doesn't let people in easily. And when he does, it usually doesn't end well."
Before Chloe could respond, Sebastian reappeared, his hand lightly touching her back. "Is everything all right?"
"Just fine," Chloe said, though her mind raced with questions.
As the night wore on, Chloe began to see cracks in Sebastian's cold exterior. The way he shielded her from probing questions, the rare moments of genuine concern in his eyes—it all left her wondering who Sebastian Kane really was.
For now, she had a role to play. But something told her this arrangement was going to be far more complicated than either of them had anticipated.
--