ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
A beautiful lady stepped inside, dragging a silver suitcase behind her. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her smile was bright enough to light the whole room.
"How come nobody told me about my brother's engagement?"
Her voice carried through the hall like a playful accusation.
Victoria gasped. "Isabelle?"
Richard hurried toward her and wrapped her in a warm hug, laughing softly as he kissed her forehead.
I stood there quietly, watching the reunion. Alex took a step forward, his expression unreadable as always.
"Welcome, little sis."
His tone was neutral… too neutral. But the young lady named Isabelle didn't seem to mind. She flung her arms around him and squeezed him tight.
Then her eyes finally landed on me.
"Oh… so you're the mysterious girl who captured my brother's heart."
My stomach twisted. I managed a smile… a forced one.
"I'm Elena."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, as if she already knew every rumor about me.
Before I had the chance to say anything else, Nathan walked in.
"Isabelle? Wow, you're back!"
He hugged her happily, the way an older brother would greet his younger sister. But Isabelle did something unexpected. She leaned closer, her voice soft and teasing.
"You grew taller, Nathan… and even more handsome."
Nathan froze. He cleared his throat and stepped back a little.
"Don't do that. I don't suit you."
Everyone laughed. Even Richard chuckled. Victoria pressed a hand to her chest, amused.
But when I looked at Alex… nothing. No smile. No reaction. Just coldness.
I turned back to Isabelle just in time to see her laughter fade for the shortest second. Forced. Like she was hiding something.
Only I seemed to notice.
I tucked that thought away as she climbed the stairs, saying she needed to drop her luggage. Once she was gone, the house fell back into its earlier rhythm.
"Elena, dear, come to my room when you're free," Victoria said gently.
I nodded.
Later, when I walked to her room, the door was open. I saw Isabelle and Victoria sitting together, talking. Victoria looked up when she noticed me and smiled warmly.
"Isabelle, give us a few minutes, alright?"
Isabelle frowned, a small pout on her lips. "Why can't I stay with the girls? I've waited so long to feel this again."
Victoria was about to insist, but I stepped forward.
"Let her stay, Mum. It's okay."
Victoria hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
She ushered us inside and closed the door. Isabelle sat beside me, hugging a pillow, and Victoria took the chair opposite us.
There was a silence… a knowing silence. Victoria's eyes softened as she looked at me.
"Elena… I know your relationship with my son is not as perfect as it seems."
My breath caught. I looked down quickly.
"I… it's not like that…"
She raised her hand gently, stopping me.
"You don't have to explain. I understand you. I've been there."
I blinked. Been there?
Did she mean… she had been in a fake relationship too?
But she continued before I could speak.
"Alex's father… Richard… he was exactly like Alex when we first met. Cold. Strict. Rules everywhere. Emotions kept locked away."
She smiled to herself, remembering.
"But the funny thing about men like them is that when they finally love… they love deeply."
I swallowed hard. That wasn't my reality. Alex didn't even like me. I knew that more than anyone.
Victoria's eyes lifted back to mine.
"Even if your marriage isn't real… I still want you as my daughter-in-law. I want you to stay by his side. I believe his heart will soften one day."
My chest tightened. I wasn't expecting this… this soft warmth… this motherly concern. I have a mother, but hearing it from Victoria felt different. It felt… sincere.
"I will try my best," I said quietly.
And I meant it. Just… not for the romantic reasons she hoped for. I had to stay until the contract ended. If I left, Alex would make me pay for everything I owed.
Victoria nodded with a relieved smile.
But when I turned my head, Isabelle was watching me too closely. As if she had questions she didn't want to ask out loud.
As if she knew something I didn't.
I stepped out of Victoria's room, letting the door fall softly behind me. I had barely taken two steps down the hallway when I heard footsteps following me.
"Hey."
I turned. Isabelle stood there, a soft smile on her face, her hands clasped behind her back like she wasn't sure how close she could get.
I smiled back. "Hi."
"I just realized something," she said, walking closer. "I haven't introduced myself properly."
She stretched out her hand toward me. "I'm Isabelle. Alexander's younger sister."
I took her hand gently. "I'm Elena."
"I know," she said with a small, genuine laugh. "And I'm really happy you're here. Honestly, apart from Mom, there's no one else around for me to talk to. Alex is always at work and…" She sighed dramatically. "Even when he's here, it's like talking to a statue. That one answers with zero emotions."
A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.
Finally, Someone who understood exactly what I had been dealing with.
"At least now I know I'm not the only one who notices," I muttered under my breath.
"Oh, I notice everything," Isabelle said proudly, flipping her hair. "Trust me, Elena, if you need anything or if you just want to talk… about life, stress, boys, dresses, your sanity… anything at all, I'm available."
Her sincerity warmed me.
"Thank you. And… I'm really happy you're back."
Isabelle's smile softened. She reached out and held my hand between both of hers.
"I'll support you, okay? That's what girls do. We look out for each other."
My chest tightened a little.
I nodded. "Okay."
She gave my hand one last squeeze and let go. "I'll take my leave now. Take care, Elena."
"You too, Isabelle."
She walked away with light steps, humming as she disappeared around the corner.
I exhaled and turned toward the staircase. The moment I stepped onto the first step, I froze.
Alex was coming up the stairs, with his hands in his pockets.
His steps were slow, controlled, silent but heavy enough to drag my attention upward. His eyes lifted and locked onto mine, sharp, unreadable, cold.
My heart jumped. Why does it happen all the time? This is frustrating. I said to myself
Immediately, I turned around, pretending I needed to go somewhere else, anywhere else.
Nope. Not dealing with him right now.
"Elena."
His voice slid across the hallway like ice. I stopped instantly. My hand twitched at my side.
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
I turned back slowly, forcing a smile that felt painfully awkward. "Y…yes?"
Alex stopped two steps away from me, gaze fixed, jaw tight.
"Meet me in my study."
My stomach dropped. "Oh… okay."
His eyes didn't leave mine, like he was checking if I understood he wasn't asking, he was commanding.
I nodded quickly. "I…I'll be there."
He didn't say anything else. He just walked past me, brushing the air close to my shoulder, the cold presence of him lingering long after he passed.
I stood there for a second, gathering what was left of my courage before heading toward the study.
My hand hovered over the study door for a moment before I finally pushed it open.
Alex was already there, sitting in the leather chair behind the desk, legs crossed, fingers resting against his chin.
He didn't look up immediately… which somehow made it worse.
I stood there like an idiot, stiff, awkward, and unsure of what to do with my hands.
Why was I even standing?
Why was I waiting for him like some lost child?
He finally raised his eyes, and the weight of his stare pinned me in place.
"Sit down," Alex said, his tone smooth but cold. "Stop acting like a child and behave like an adult for once."
I swallowed the irritation that rose in my chest.
In my mind, I was already calling him stupid for making me wait for him to "allow" me to sit, something he always did.
Still… I forced myself to walk forward and sit in the chair opposite him.
He leaned back slowly, eyes narrowing slightly.
"What did my mother talk to you about?"
My heart skipped.
I knew it.
If I told the truth, that Victoria knew something, that she could sense the fake relationship, Alex would blame me. Again. Somehow. He always did.
So I played it safe.
"She… she was just asking about the wedding preparations," I said softly. "About the wedding gown and… she wants us to go out soon to check styles and all that."
Alex didn't blink.
He just stared.
Long.
As if he was peeling the truth out of my face with his eyes.
My palms grew sweaty, but I kept my smile steady.
Finally, he looked away and nodded once.
"Fine."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slightly.
"Just make sure," he said quietly, too quietly, "that none of our secrets get exposed."
My heart lurched into my throat.
Our contract.
"If anyone finds out about it," Alex added, his voice turning sharper, colder, "you will pay for it. In any way I choose."
I swallowed hard.
"Okay."
He didn't say anything else, didn't dismiss me, and didn't even look at me again.
But I didn't wait.
I stood up quickly, bowing my head slightly even though he wasn't looking.
"I'll go now."
I rushed out of the study, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible.
My heart was racing, my palms trembling slightly, not from fear…
But from irritation.
I hated this.
I hated how my body reacted to him sometimes, the accidental attraction, the stupid rush I felt whenever his eyes locked with mine. I didn't want it. I didn't want any of it.
As I walked down the hallway, my thoughts burned hot in my chest.
You think because you're a billionaire, you can rule my life?
Asshole.