Chapter 2: A House Without Warmth
832 Words
The first few weeks of marriage passed in complete silence.
Although Ryan and Harlow lived under the same roof, they seemed to exist in two different worlds.
Ryan left for work before sunrise.
Most nights, he returned long after midnight.
The dining table that could seat twenty people was almost always occupied by only one.
Harlow.
She tried not to let it bother her.
"He's probably busy," she whispered to herself every night.
After all, Ryan Sterling was the CEO of Sterling Corporation. Running one of America's largest companies meant endless meetings, business trips, and responsibilities.
Still...
She wished he would spare at least a few minutes for her.
One evening, Harlow decided to prepare dinner herself.
She spent hours in the kitchen, learning from the chefs and making Ryan's favorite dishes after secretly asking his assistant about his preferences.
The table was beautifully arranged.
Candles flickered softly.
She waited.
Eight o'clock.
Nine o'clock.
Ten o'clock.
Finally, the front door opened.
Ryan walked in, exhausted, loosening his tie.
For the first time since their wedding, Harlow smiled brightly.
"You're home."
Ryan glanced at the dining table.
"You cooked?"
"I wanted us to have dinner together."
"I already ate."
His calm reply shattered the excitement in her eyes.
"Oh..."
Ryan nodded once.
"Don't wait for me next time."
Without another word, he walked upstairs.
Harlow remained standing beside the untouched dinner.
After a few moments, she forced herself to smile.
"Maybe... next time."
The following morning, Harlow carried a cup of coffee into Ryan's office.
"I thought you might need this."
Ryan didn't even look up from his laptop.
"Leave it there."
She placed the cup gently on his desk.
"I was wondering... if you're free this weekend, maybe we could..."
"I'm busy."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask."
"I don't have time."
His answer came so naturally that it hurt more than if he had shouted.
She quietly nodded.
"I understand."
Ryan continued working.
Only after the office door closed did he look toward the untouched coffee.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
He didn't throw it away.
Days turned into weeks.
Harlow never stopped trying.
She waited for him every evening.
She asked if he had eaten.
She reminded him to take breaks.
She left handwritten notes wishing him luck before important meetings.
Ryan rarely responded.
Sometimes, he simply walked past her as though she wasn't there.
Yet Harlow refused to give up.
She believed every marriage needed patience.
One afternoon, Ryan's stepmother, Vivienne Charlotte Sterling, invited Harlow for tea.
"My dear," Vivienne said with a graceful smile, "it's time you learned how things work in this family."
Harlow smiled politely.
"I'd like that."
For the next hour, Vivienne appeared warm and welcoming.
She complimented Harlow's manners.
She praised her education.
She even spoke kindly about the wedding.
Harlow finally believed she had found someone in the Sterling family who accepted her.
She was wrong.
As soon as the servants left the room, Vivienne's smile disappeared.
"You really think you've become part of this family?"
Harlow blinked in surprise.
"I'm sorry?"
Vivienne stepped closer.
"Don't act innocent."
"I don't understand."
"You never will."
Her voice became cold.
"No matter whose wife you are... you'll never deserve the Sterling name."
Harlow lowered her eyes.
"If I've done something to upset you, I apologize."
Vivienne laughed softly.
"You apologize too easily."
She suddenly grabbed Harlow's wrist.
Before Harlow could react, Vivienne forced her hand toward the hot stove in the kitchen.
Harlow gasped.
The burning metal touched her palm.
She cried out in pain.
"Mrs. Sterling... please!"
Vivienne released her only after red marks appeared on Harlow's skin.
Tears filled Harlow's eyes.
"I've never disrespected you..."
"You don't have to."
Vivienne leaned close and whispered,
"I simply don't like you."
Before Harlow could answer, Vivienne suddenly let out a loud scream.
"Ryan!"
She deliberately stumbled backward and fell onto the floor.
At that exact moment, Ryan walked into the kitchen.
He rushed toward Vivienne.
"Mother!"
Vivienne held her arm, pretending to be in pain.
"Harlow... pushed me..."
Ryan slowly turned to look at Harlow.
She stood frozen, her burned hand trembling.
"I didn't..." she whispered. "Ryan, I swear..."
Vivienne wiped away fake tears.
"I only tried to welcome her into the family..."
Ryan's eyes darkened.
"Harlow."
She looked at him desperately.
"I didn't push her. Please believe me."
His gaze shifted briefly to her injured hand.
For one second...
He hesitated.
Then he looked back at Vivienne.
"I'll take Mother to the hospital."
His words struck Harlow harder than any slap.
"You... don't believe me?"
Ryan's expression remained unreadable.
"I believe what I saw."
Without another glance at Harlow, he helped Vivienne to her feet and walked away.
The kitchen fell silent.
Harlow looked down at her burned hand.
The pain in her skin was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
For the first time since their marriage...
She wondered if this house would ever become her home.
- Writer
