The Third week of my marriage didn't feel the way I thought it would.
It wasn't bad.
But it wasn't right either.
Everything looked perfect on the outside—just like yesterday. The house was quiet, spotless, and too big for just the two of us.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeve of my dress for the third time.
"Wear something decent,my parents will be visiting" Alexander had said earlier.
"Why am I just hearing about their visiting? I said in a cool but surprised voice"
He smiled and said,"I was informed their on their way an hour ago"
He didn't explain why he was just telling me.
He didn't need to.
I changed twice before settling on this. Something simple. Something safe.
Something I hoped wouldn't make him look at me that way again, when I tried to tell him he was wrong not to inform me earlier when he found out his parents were on their way here.
I exhaled slowly and stepped out of the room.
He was already downstairs.
Of course, he was.
Alexander Sterling was never late.
He sat at the dining table, going through something on his phone, his expression calm as always. Like nothing ever disturbed him.
I walked closer, my steps careful without even realizing it.
"Good morning," I said softly.
He looked up immediately.
"Morning," he replied after a few seconds, with his beautiful smile.
"You look stunning as usual,I was so lucky to have you as my wife"he stood up to draw out a chair at the table for me.
I sat down across from him, folding my hands on my lap, smiling at his complement.
Breakfast was already served.
I hadn't seen anyone bring it in.
He picked up the spoon,and started eating.
Are we not supposed to wait for them to get here? I asked.
"Who"?
Surprised! Your parents,I said.
"Oh! They couldn't make it,they had to go for a meeting on their way here, maybe some other time" he said casually as he continued eating.
"Why didn't you tell me? I asked.
"I didn't think it was necessary,beside I just told you now"
I looked at him for a moment.
"Don't make this a big deal…. okay I'm sorry,if that's what you wanna here"he said in a firm tone.
I picked up my spoon, but I could feel it—that quiet tension sitting between us.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
Just… there.
"You should eat more," he said suddenly.
I paused. "I am eating."
His eyes finally lifted to mine.
Not harsh.
But not gentle either.
"You barely touched your food yesterday."
My grip tightened slightly around the spoon.
"I wasn't very hungry."
A short silence followed.
Then—
"Try."
Just one word again.
Simple. Calm.
But it didn't feel like a suggestion.
I forced a small nod. "Okay."
And just like that, I took another bite.
Not because I wanted to.
But because it felt easier than refusing.
After breakfast, I stood up to clear the table.
"I'll do it," I said.
His voice stopped me immediately.
"Leave it."
I turned back. "It's fine, I can—"
"I said leave it."
Still calm.
Still controlled.
But this time… firmer.
My words got stuck in my throat.
"…Okay."
I stepped back slowly, letting my hands fall to my sides.
A staff member walked in almost immediately, as if they had been waiting for that moment.
I watched silently as they cleared everything.
Something about it felt strange.
Like I wasn't supposed to do anything.
Like everything had already been decided for me.
Later, I picked up my phone and sat by the window.
The sunlight felt warm against my skin, but it didn't reach whatever I was feeling inside.
I opened my contacts.
I wanted to call someone.
Anyone.
Maybe my best friend.
Maybe just to hear a familiar voice.
But before I could press the call button—
"Who are you calling?"
I looked up, startled.
Alexander was standing there.
I didn't even hear him walk in.
"No one," I said quickly. "I was just—"
"If you need something, you can tell me."
I blinked.
"I know, I just thought—"
"There's no need to involve outsiders."
Outsiders.
The word felt… heavy.
I forced a small smile. "I just wanted to check in."
His gaze stayed on me for a second longer than necessary.
Then he nodded once.
"Alright."
But something about the way he said it made me put my phone down anyway.
I didn't call.
It wasn't anything serious.
Nothing I could point at and say, this is wrong.
But it kept happening.
Small things.
Frequent things.
The way he decided without asking.
The way he watched.
The way I kept adjusting myself without even thinking about it.
I told myself it was normal.
That maybe… This was just how marriage worked.
That maybe… I just needed time to get used to him.
But deep down—
I suddenly felt his presence beside me as I was lost in my thoughts.
He sat beside me, caressing my hair slowly and
softly, kissing my forehead. Then a call came in,a business call.
So he stood up from me and went to his study room to discuss the business leaving his other phone beside me.
That was when his phone buzzed beside me.