Troubled Love

CHAPTER TWO: THE NEW MISTRESS

The only lips I had ever known belonged to Ethan."The thought of another man touching me or claiming me as his gave me chills.

I couldn't move, and Mr. Grey was already just an inch away from me.”

My heart pounded as his lips met mine, and instinct took over. I shut my eyes and forced myself to respond, moving just enough to make it seem real. The moment stretched unbearably long before I finally pulled away.

Smile. Act natural.

The words echoed in my mind like a command.

What's happening to me? Are the thoughts in my head getting louder, or is this really happening?

"Smile and act happy, Lisa. Everyone is watching," Mr. Grey’s voice was calm but edged with warning.

I blinked, nodding slightly. "Oh… okay."

He grabbed my arm gently but firmly, and we looked like the perfect happy couple for everyone to see.

As soon as we stepped outside, we were hit by a storm of camera flashes and loud reporters

The press. I should have expected this. Of course, the world would be watching. The Greys were powerful enough to command an entire city, and their influence stretched far beyond that. My existence had been a mystery until today, and now, everyone wanted a piece of me,the unknown bride.

"My chest felt heavy as my eyes met the crowd. The cameras, flashing lights, and all those people staring back at me—it was too much to handle. My breathing quickened, and my hands tightened as panic started to set in."

"Mr. Grey! How did you and Lisa meet?"

"Is she from a wealthy family?"

"Rumors say she comes from a poor background. Is this marriage some sort of charity case?”

The words hit me like a slap. A cruel, cutting reminder of my place in their world.

My eyes burned as humiliation settled deep in my bones.

"She’s my wife," Mr. Grey’s voice was sharp, controlled. "Not a charity case. And anyone who speaks against her will have to answer to me."

I froze.

No one had ever defended me before. The way he spoke… it was possessive, final."I felt a mix of emotions hit me all at once. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I had thought. He took my hand again, carefully leading me forward while his security team made space for us through the chaotic crowd."

His fingers brushed against my arm, adjusting my dress when it snagged.

"A jet-black Lamborghini. I'd only ever spotted cars like that in movies or on billboards, and now I was actually getting into one." I settled into my seat, trying to shrink into the corner as Mr. Grey slid in beside me.

"The screaming outside reduced as the car drove off. The heaviness I felt before lessened a little, but my hands were a bit shaky in my lap. I looked out the window and watched the crowd disappear."

Then, I felt it.

His hand.

It rested lightly on mine at first, a touch that almost felt… comforting. A part of me wanted to believe he was offering reassurance.

"He only grabbed me tighter.

'I thought you were smart,' he said, his voice low but full of anger.

A cold chill ran through me.

'Should I always remind you about the contract you signed?' he asked slowly and clearly."You couldn’t even smile properly. You looked miserable in the church.I had to remind you. And then, in front of the media? Imagine the headlines. ‘Billionaire’s Wife Looks Unhappy on Her Wedding Day.’ Do you know what that kind of news could do to me?"

"My heart was beating fast. I tried pulling my hand away, but he wouldn’t let go.

'Stop, you're hurting me,' I whispered, my voice trembling.

He finally let go, and I held my wrist close to my chest, feeling the sting from the red marks he left behind. His handprint was clearly visible on it."

"You better not let anyone see that," he warned, his tone devoid of any remorse.

I felt anger rising inside me. "Then maybe you shouldn't have grabbed me so roughly," I lashed out without thinking it through.

His reaction was instant.He grabbed my jaw and turned my face toward his, holding it just tightly enough to show he was clearly in charge.

"Watch your words," he said quietly, staring into my eyes. "We wouldn’t want another accident, would we?"

A sharp wave of fear rolled through me.

I swallowed hard and slowly shook my head. "No," I whispered.

His lips curled slightly. "Good girl."

I looked away and rested my head on the cold window, my body still shaking.

This was just the beginning.

The ride home was quiet. I was still in shock—I never expected this. Maybe I had judged him too soon.

Finally, we arrived at a fancy-looking gate. It was so grand and screamed wealth. I couldn't help but wonder what the inside would look like. Then I felt a weird sense of déjà vu hit me. Something about this gate,the way it made me feel, reminded me of a conversation I'd had in the past.

Kiki let out a dreamy sigh. “Damn. Look at that gate. You know you’ve made it when your house has a gate.”

I laughed, mouth full of chips. “I don’t need the whole mansion. Just the gate. Something dramatic to open every time I come home from my boring nine-to-five.”

Kiki nudged me. “Girl, please. You’ll have both. Watch,you’ll end up with some rich man falling at your feet.”

I smirked. “If by ‘falling’ you mean tripping over my unpaid bills,sure.”

Kiki raised a chip like a toast. “One day. Gates and all.”

But Kiki wasn’t here now. And this gate? It wasn’t mine.

I straightened my shoulders as the driver rolled forward. The mansion loomed ahead, beautiful and cold. Like the life I was stepping into.

"The gates slowly opened with a quiet sound, revealing a massive property that looked like its own little world. The mansion was big and impressive, with white stone walls that shone in the evening light. It was beautiful and felt unreal, like something out of a dream."

But this wasn’t a dream.

It was a prison.

"It felt like I was stuck in a fancy prison with no way out.

The car gently came to a stop, and before I could gather my thoughts and pull myself together, Mr. Grey stepped out and walked around to open the door for me.

He held out his hand, and just as his fingers touched mine, my mind drifted somewhere else."

I was back in Ethan’s arms, at the dance, his touch so familiar, so easy.We headed to the party, music bustling and the hall packed with jolly people.

"Ethan led me to the dance floor, when a slow music came on.

His eyes met my gaze, and I was lost in it. It drifted to nothingness; it felt like everything else disappeared.

I could only rest my head gently on his shoulder, as we swayed to the music.

'Can we go somewhere quiet?' he whispered."

“Lisa,” Mr. Grey’s voice cut through, pulling me out. His hand was still there, waiting.

I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. I wasn’t in Ethan’s arms anymore. This wasn’t that moment. But my pulse was still racing, my body betraying me.

I took his hand, the contact feeling cold, distant. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t.

I paused for a moment, then stepped out, making sure to avoid his eyes. He reached out for my gown, trying to help.

“Don’t. I can handle it,” I said quickly.

He ignored my protest and adjusted the dress anyway. I sighed, turning my attention to the towering structure before me.

The Grey Mansion was breathtaking,a masterpiece of architecture that stretched endlessly.

As I stepped inside,a line of staff members stood waiting for us, their gazes respectful as they bowed slightly in greeting.

One by one, they introduced themselves.

“Mama Lulu,” an older woman with a kind but firm expression, stepped forward. "I handle everything at home, and I’ll also be looking after the twins."

"Mr. Parker," said a tall man nicely dressed giving a small bow.“The butler.”

“Samantha, the cook,” a woman with a warm smile added.

“Mr. Brown, your personal driver,” another voice chimed in.

“Maria, the house cleaner,” a soft-spoken woman said.

“And I’m Jennifer, your personal assistant,” a young woman stated confidently.

Some outdoor staff were absent, but these were the ones I’d be seeing the most.

Mr. Grey’s voice cut through the formalities, his tone firm and authoritative.

“This is your new mistress. You are to respect and obey her. Any disrespect toward her is a direct insult to me, and it will not be tolerated.”

The staff nodded in unison.

I remained silent, still trying to process everything. This was my new home. And whether I liked it or not, I was now the mistress of the Grey Mansion.

As soon as Mr. Grey saw Martha and Rita standing under the car’s headlights, saying goodbye to the last guests, his face turned serious. Without saying a word to me, he quickly walked away, leaving the mansion.

I stood there, watching him go, my hands gripping my gown tightly in frustration. He hadn’t really talked to me since the wedding, and now he expected me to sit and wait for him?

“Come with me, dear,” Mama Lulu said softly, pulling me out of my thoughts. She gently placed her hand on my back and guided me toward the grand entrance of the Grey Mansion.

As we climbed the grand staircase, I let my fingers glide along the elegant railing. The whole house looked perfect, but to me, it just felt like a beautiful prison.

We walked through the hallway, each turn revealing more of the luxurious décor. Then I noticed a slightly open door with a warm light glowing inside.

“Is that a library?” I asked, pausing in front of it.

“Yes, dear,” Mama Lulu confirmed.

“Can we go in?”

She nodded and pushed the door open.

As soon as I stepped inside, I felt the warmth. It smelled like old books and polished wood—comforting and familiar.

I took a deep breath, sinking into one of the armchairs. “I could practically live here.”

Mama Lulu chuckled. “I know, child.”

But before I could lose myself in the room’s serenity, she straightened. “We have to leave now.”

"I let out a sigh and leaned my head back in the chair. But we just got here.

You'll have plenty of time to visit her later. For now, you need to get ready. Moreover, the twins miss you."

That got my attention. “River and Drew?”

She smiled."Sure, they've been waiting for you all day.

The thought of them made my heart hurt. As much as I wanted to remain hidden, I couldn't ignore how much I wanted to be with my babies."

“Get ready for what?” I asked as I stood.

“Dinner with Mr. Grey.”