The Billionaire’s Contract Wife 🔥

Chapter 7: Lessons & Tension

“No, no, no! That is all wrong!” Madame Victoria snapped, shaking her head in frustration. “When you hold a teacup, you do not grab it like you are holding a bottle of water! Your fingers must be elegant, delicate — like this!”

Elena sighed, adjusting her grip on the small, fragile cup for the tenth time. Her arms were tired, her feet ached from walking back and forth in high heels, and her brain was full of endless rules: how to sit, how to stand, how to speak softly, how to eat without making a sound. It had been hours of intense training, and Madame Victoria was not an easy teacher.

“You must remember,” the woman continued, walking around Elena like a hawk, “people judge you before you even speak. A Cole wife carries herself with confidence and power. You are not just a woman; you are an image, a brand. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Madame,” Elena replied softly, though inside she felt like screaming. I am still human, she thought. Not a doll.

Just then, the heavy wooden door opened. Both women turned to see Julian walk in. He had returned from the office, still in his sharp suit, looking tired but as commanding as ever. His eyes went straight to Elena, checking her out from head to toe.

“How is it going?” he asked, his voice calm but serious.

“Slow,” Madame Victoria answered honestly. “She is learning, but she has a lot of bad habits from her old life. It takes time to polish rough stone into a diamond.”

Julian walked closer, stopping right in front of Elena. He looked down at her, his dark eyes searching hers. He noticed how tired she looked, the slight frown on her face, and the way she held her hands tightly together. For a moment, the coldness in his gaze softened just a little.

“Take a break,” he said suddenly, turning to Madame Victoria. “That is enough for today. You may go.”

The coach looked surprised but nodded, gathered her things, and left the room quickly, closing the door behind her.

Now they were alone again. The silence between them was thick and charged with electricity.

Elena rubbed her sore shoulders, avoiding his eyes. “You hired her to turn me into a robot, didn’t you?” she asked quietly. “Someone who only does exactly what you say.”

Julian stepped closer, invading her personal space. He lifted a hand, and for a second, Elena thought he might touch her face. Instead, he reached past her and picked up the book of rules she had dropped on the table.

“I hired her to protect you,” he said low, his voice sending shivers down her spine. “Because out there, people like Aunt Clara are waiting for you to make one mistake. One wrong move, and they will tear you apart. I am not making you a robot, Elena… I am teaching you how to survive in my world.”

He looked deep into her eyes, and his voice dropped even lower.

“And believe me… you need all the protection you can get. Especially from me.”