Chapter 5
1197 Words
Arianna’s POV
The room feels smaller after that message arrives. Colder. The walls seem to close in around us like they have secrets too.
Zach does not speak. He just stares at the shattered phone on the floor as if he can force it to give answers by will alone.
I sit up slowly. My hand slips from his, and it feels like losing heat in winter.
“What did you see?” I ask.
He does not move. His body is tense. Rigid. My question hangs between us like a warning.
“Zach,” My voice is softer than I want. “Tell me.”
His jaw flexes hard. For a moment, he looks like he might lie. Like every other man who has chosen silence over truth. But then he meets my eyes.
“It was us,” he says.
The air leaves my lungs.
“Us,” I repeat.
He nods once. “Someone took a picture of me carrying you inside a room. Probably tonight.”
A shiver crawls up my spine. There were cameras everywhere at the gala. Maybe even here. Watching us. Waiting for a slip.
I pull the sheets closer to my chest.
“So someone is spying on us.”
“Yes.”
“And threatening us.”
“Yes.”
A sharp exhale escapes me. I feel sick.
“This is because of Olivia, is it not?” I ask.
Zach presses his palms together like he is trying to hold himself in place. “There are people who want the company. People who used her and now want to use you.”
“I did not ask for any of this,” I whisper.
“I know.”
His voice is lower now. Almost gentle. It scares me more than his anger.
“What do they want?” I ask.
He looks at the wall for a long moment before saying, “They want leverage. A scandal. Evidence that can force me to give up control.”
I let that sink in. My stomach twists. “So they want to destroy us before we have a chance.”
His gaze finally returns to mine. Something fierce burns there.
“They will not win.”
I want to believe him. I want to feel safe beside him. But how can I when every corner of this room could be a threat?
“Zach,” My throat is tight. “I feel… watched.”
“You are,” he replies. “But you are safe with me.”
He thinks that should help. It almost does. Except I still feel like prey.
He reaches over to the lamp and turns it on. A soft glow spreads across the room. He stands and begins checking the walls, the curtains, the corners. Searching for hidden eyes.
“Do you think they are inside this house?” I ask.
“I think they could be anywhere.” He moves with sharp purpose. Controlled anger. “Security will sweep the estate first thing in the morning. No one gets near you without my permission.”
I swallow. “I am a prisoner.”
He turns. His eyes lock on mine.
“No. You are my wife.”
The word hits something deep inside me.
Wife.
It does not feel real. Not when he looks at me like I am a liability.
He returns to the bed and sits on the edge again. His shoulders lower a fraction. He looks tired. But his tired still feels dangerous.
“I will keep you safe,” he says.
“You cannot promise that.”
His eyes harden. “Watch me.”
I do not know whether to be comforted or terrified.
I look down at my hands. They shake. I hide them under the blankets.
“Do you believe me about the photo Olivia released?” he asks suddenly.
“Yes.” The answer comes before thought. “You are a lot of things but not stupid enough to let someone catch you cheating on your own wedding night.”
His eyebrow lifts slightly. “You think I am smart.”
I almost smiled. Almost. “I think you are impossible to manipulate.”
He leans closer. His voice drops. “Except maybe by you.”
Heat sparks between us again. It is always there. Waiting. Dangerous. His hand lifts like he might touch me. Brush my cheek. Pull me into him.
But he stops mid air and closes his fist instead.
“We should sleep.”
I lie back. My heart does not calm. Nothing feels calm.
He turns off the lamp then settles beside me. I can feel his warmth even though our bodies do not touch.
Minutes stretch out.
I try to sleep. I fail. My brain will not slow.
I whisper into the darkness. “Why me, Zach?”
He sighs softly. The sound is tired. Honest.
“I needed a wife for the contract. But I chose you because you have a spine made of steel even when the world kicks you.”
I blink at the ceiling.
“And because you will not break,” he adds.
I turn to face him. His features are shadows. “You do not know that.”
“I know it better than you do.”
Silence again. He seems to drift, but my thoughts keep spinning.
If someone took that picture, how far would they want to go? How far will they go to hurt him? How far will they go to hurt me?
I did not even realize I was shaking until Zach shifts closer. His hand brushes my arm.
He whispers, “Come here.”
I hesitate. Fear says no. My heart says yes.
I move toward him.
His arms wrap around me slowly. Carefully. Like I might break if he holds too tight. My cheek rests over his heartbeat. It is fast. Strong. Real.
I breathe him in. Heat spreads through me like wildfire.
But comfort is a trap. Safety is a lie.
I whisper against his chest. “You cannot control everything.”
He lowers his chin to the top of my head. “I can control enough.”
“Arrogant.”
“Confident.”
I feel the smallest smile touch my lips. It is stupid. Everything is stupid. We are strangers pretending to be united.
His thumb traces a slow line on my back. The sensation sends a shiver right through me.
“We will face this together,” he says quietly. “From now on.”
I want to believe him so badly it hurts. Maybe I need someone to fight for me. For once.
I close my eyes but then
A loud bang echoes from downstairs.
We both freeze.
Someone is in the house.
Zach sits up instantly and pulls me with him. His voice is a low command.
“Stay behind me.”
Fear chokes me. I grab his arm.
“What if they came for me,” I whisper.
His jaw tightens. “Then they just made the biggest mistake of their lives.”
The bedroom door handle begins to turn.
My heart stops.
- Writer
