The bedroom was too quiet.
Aria stood near the edge of the bed, her hands clasped in front of her. The white dress the staff had helped her into felt heavy, tight in places it shouldn't be. The room smelled clean, cold, like nothing had ever happened here before.
She shifted her weight. "Is this how it's supposed to feel?"
Sebastian closed the door behind him.
The sound made her jump. "You startled me," she whispered.
"You can sit," he said.
She turned. "I'm fine standing."
"If you're going to keep shaking, you might fall."
"I'm not shaking."
"You are."
He loosened his tie and tossed it aside. "This won't take long."
Her chest tightened. "That's not very comforting."
"Comfort isn't part of the agreement," he said evenly.
He didn't respond further. He walked past her, unbuttoning his cuffs, his movements calm, practiced, like this was just another task. Every motion was precise, deliberate, controlled.
Aria swallowed. "Do you always sound like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're already somewhere else."
He glanced at her. "Don't start."
"I'm not trying to start anything," she said. "I just… this is our wedding night."
"And?"
"And I thought maybe it would mean something."
She hugged herself. "I just thought… maybe tonight would be different."
Sebastian stopped. "Different how?"
"I don't know," she said softly. "Less cold."
His jaw tightened. "You knew what you were marrying into."
"Yes," she said. "But I didn't know you'd make me feel like this."
"Like what?"
"Like I don't matter."
He stepped closer. "You matter where it counts."
Her breath caught. "And where is that?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached for the zipper of her dress.
She flinched. "Sebastian…"
"Relax," he said. "This is expected."
"I know," she whispered. "I'm just nervous."
"You don't need to be."
"That's easy for you to say."
He paused for a second, then continued. The dress slid down, pooling at her feet. She stood there, exposed, her face burning. Her hands shook as she pulled them over her chest.
"You don't have to look at me like that," she said.
"Like what?"
"Like I'm something you bought."
"That's exactly what this is," he replied.
The words cut deeper than she expected.
She wrapped her arms around herself. "You didn't have to say it."
"I don't lie," he said, his tone flat.
She climbed onto the bed when he gestured. The sheets were cool against her skin. She sat stiffly, hands clenched, unwilling to relax.
Sebastian removed his jacket, then his shirt. He didn't look at her much. When he did, his eyes were distant, unreadable.
"Sebastian," she said.
"Yes?"
"Do you hate me?"
"No."
"Then why does it feel like you do?"
He exhaled. "Feelings don't belong here."
She nodded slowly. "Okay."
Her voice was barely steady. "Should I… should I do something?"
"No."
"Tell me what you want."
"I want this done."
He moved closer. There was no tenderness in his touch. No reassurance. No gentle words. Just pressure, control, expectation.
Aria squeezed her eyes shut. The bed shifted beneath him. Her stomach knotted.
It hurt.
She gasped, fingers gripping the sheets. "Wait—"
"Don't," he said. "It'll be over soon."
Her breath broke. "Please—"
"Stop talking."
Tears slipped down her face. She stayed silent, biting her lip, forcing herself not to cry out.
When it was done, he pulled away and stood.
She lay there, staring at the ceiling, her body shaking.
Sebastian reached for his shirt. "I'll be in the study," he said lightly.
"That's it?" she asked quietly.
"Yes."
She turned her head. "No… nothing?"
He paused. "What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know," she said. "Something human."
"This wasn't about feelings," he replied. "You knew that."
Her voice cracked. "I thought you might care a little."
"That was your mistake."
She pushed herself up slowly. "I didn't think you'd make me feel this small."
"That wasn't my intention."
"Then what was?"
He met her eyes. "To complete the marriage."
Her voice broke. "Is that all I am to you?"
"For now," he said.
She laughed weakly. "You make it sound temporary."
"It is."
Her heart sank. "Temporary?"
He adjusted his cufflinks. "Until you do what you're meant to do."
"And what is that?"
"Give me an heir."
The room spun.
She whispered, "You never said it like that before."
"I didn't need to."
"You chose me just for that?" she asked.
"Yes."
She covered her mouth, tears falling freely now. "You could have told me."
"You wouldn't have agreed."
She shook her head. "You don't know that."
"I know enough."
He walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To sleep."
"Here?" she asked, a small hope in her voice.
"No."
The door closed behind him.
Aria sat alone on the bed, her chest aching. She pulled the blanket around herself and cried silently, her shoulders shaking.
She whispered into the empty room, "This is just the start."
She told herself it was fine. That this was just the beginning. That time would change him.
She wiped her face. "I can do this," she whispered.
She stood, changed into a robe, and walked toward the bathroom. Her legs felt weak. She barely recognized her reflection.
The woman staring back looked broken.
She touched the mirror. "Be strong," she said softly. "This isn't the end."
She washed her face, took slow breaths, and stepped back into the room.
Her hands lingered on the counter. "I can handle this," she whispered. "I have to."
Voices drifted from the hallway.
She froze. "Who's there?"
Sebastian's voice was low, sharp.
"Yes," he said. "The marriage is done."
Another voice replied, muffled.
"I know," Sebastian continued. "She's suitable."
Aria pressed herself against the wall, trying not to breathe.
A pause.
"If she fails, I'll replace her."
Aria's breath stopped.
She pressed her hand against the wall, her heart pounding.
Sebastian's footsteps moved away.
She slid down slowly, sitting on the floor, her knees drawn to her chest.
Her lips trembled. She whispered to herself, "How could he…?"
Replace her.
The words echoed in her head as the house fell silent.