He didn't wait for me to respond . Rick turned around and left the room like his words weren't still crashing around in my head . The door clicked shut behind him , and I stood there for a second too long , trying to breathe . My chest felt too tight and my throat too dry . I sat on the edge of the bed , elbows on my knees , hands in my hair . I didn't know if I was angry or just tired , maybe both . It felt like everything I thought I could control had slipped out of my fingers without warning and now I was stuck in a house that wasn't mine with a man who didn't want me . This was far from the Rick I knew and it felt like he was going to give me hell from just being here and I didn't know how to deal with it . The door creaked open again and I looked up fast , heart jumping but it wasn't Rick . " Mommy ! " Lena's voice broke through my haze . She rushed in , followed by two staff members trailing behind her . Her little sneakers padded across the carpet as she ran straight into my arms . I hugged her tight , closing my eyes and breathing her in . Her arms wrapped around my neck . I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the wetness on my cheek . I wiped it quickly . " I went everywhere , " she said excitedly , pulling back just enough to look at me . " They showed me a garden and a big room full of glass things and a hallway with shiny horses on the wall ." I gave her a small smile and brushed her curls back from her face , " did you like it ? " She nodded , bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet , " they even gave me a cookie , a big one ! And juice ! Mommy , this place is like a magic castle ! " I hugged her again , tighter this time . " Listen to me , okay ? From now on , you don't go anywhere unless you tell me first , not with staff , not with anyone . You always tell Mommy , understand ? " I knew she had been having fun but not knowing where she was has felt like my whole world had come crashing down . She looked at me and nodded slowly , " okay ." I turned to the staff behind her , my tone sharper , " that goes for you too . I don't care what he said . Nothing happens with my daughter without my approval . " " Yes , ma'am ," they said quietly , before turning and walking out of the room . Lena curled up beside me on the bed . I watched her eyes light up as she told me about the statues and the garden maze . I smiled , but it ached . She was so happy here , surrounded by things I never had growing up , spoiled in a way she deserved and Rick had no idea she was his . He was spoiling her without knowing what she meant to him , the irony made my stomach knot tighter . 1/3 8:42 pm Chapter 11 55 vouchers That night , we stayed curled up in bed , just the two of us . I read her two stories before she drifted off to sleep , her small hand still clutching the edge of my sleeve . I stared at the ceiling in the dark . I'd locked up my restaurant . I hadn't planned for this , I never wanted to be in this position but I had offered myself up for this marriage thinking I was helping him but now I wasn't even sure who I was trying to protect anymore , Rick , my daughter , or myself . The next morning , I was still half - asleep when the knock came . It wasn't one staff member , it was four of them . They filed in with boxes and garment bags and a tray of what looked like skincare . I sat up in bed , pulling the blanket around me as they opened things without asking . " Good morning , Mrs. Sterling ," one of them said and I cringed at the name choice , they weren't joking around for real , they were treating this marriage like it was a real thing , " we'll be preparing you today for the public event . Mr. Sterling has given instructions ." I blinked , " public event ? What kind of event ? " I knew he said I would be a accompanying him last night but I had zero clues what this was going to look like , or how public it was meant to be . One of them , a woman with her hair in a tight bun , gave me a polite smile . " I'm sorry , ma'am , but only the boss gives those answers ." Before I could push further , they were already guiding Lena away , assuring me she'd be taken to the private playground and watched over " like a hawk . " I didn't like it , but I let them . Lena skipped out of the room like this was just another vacation . They got to work on me right after . Makeup , hair , dress fittings . I didn't say much . I just sat still , staring at myself in the mirror as they transformed me . The dress was off - shoulder satin in a rich ivory shade , fitted perfectly to my body with soft gold embroidery across the waist . My hair was pulled up into an elegant twist , a few curls left to frame my face . The makeup was subtle but polished , highlighted cheekbones , warm nude lips , soft brown eyeshadow that made my eyes look sharper than they felt . When they were done , I barely recognized the woman in the mirror . My heart started beating faster again . Not from panic this time but from the unfamiliar weight of the image in front of me . I looked like the wife of a billionaire , domeone who belonged in this world but I didn't feel like her . I descended the stairs slowly , the staff guiding me down as if I didn't know how to walk in heels . I held onto the railing tighter than I needed to . Rick was already downstairs . He was standing near the main room , dressed in a black suit , no tie , shirt unbuttoned just enough to make it feel too casual . His arms were crossed , his posture relaxed . He looked up …. and paused . For the first time , I saw his expression falter . 2/3 8:42 pm E Chapter 11 55 vouchers His eyes scanned me from head to toe , his jaw twitched slightly , he didn't say anything right away , but the look in his eyes changed . Just for a second . I saw the flicker of surprise . " What ? " I started before I could stop myself , " do I look that terrible ? " He reached me in two strides , " no , " his voice was lower , almost husky , " you look so fucking hot . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!