Chapter 4: The Perfect Husband
633 Words
Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the Sterling Mansion.
For the first time since their wedding, Harlow woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
She rubbed her eyes in confusion before stepping downstairs.
Ryan was already in the dining room.
He wasn't working.
He wasn't on his phone.
Instead, he was quietly setting the breakfast table.
Harlow stopped in her tracks.
"...Ryan?"
He looked up and gave her a small smile.
"Good morning."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Good... morning."
Ryan pulled out the chair beside him.
"Come. Breakfast is getting cold."
Harlow blinked.
This was the same man who had barely spoken to her for weeks.
She slowly sat down.
"You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to."
His answer was simple.
Almost natural.
For the rest of breakfast, Ryan actually talked to her.
He asked about her hobbies.
Her favorite food.
The books she enjoyed reading.
He listened carefully to every answer.
Harlow couldn't stop smiling.
Maybe...
He was finally opening his heart.
The following days were completely different.
Ryan began coming home earlier.
Some evenings, he even took Harlow out for dinner.
One night, they walked through Central Park under the city lights.
Another evening, they attended a charity gala together.
Whenever photographers asked them to pose...
Ryan gently wrapped an arm around Harlow's waist.
The newspapers immediately praised them.
"America's Most Elegant Couple."
"The Sterling Marriage Everyone Admires."
Harlow couldn't help smiling every time she saw the headlines.
She believed she had been blessed with a husband who was slowly falling in love with her.
One rainy afternoon...
Harlow was reading in the library when Ryan entered carrying a small box.
"I saw this while passing a boutique."
He placed it in front of her.
"I thought you'd like it."
Harlow opened the box.
Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with tiny sapphire stones.
"It's beautiful."
Ryan smiled.
"It reminded me of your eyes."
Harlow looked up at him in surprise.
"You noticed?"
Ryan nodded.
"I notice more than you think."
Her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you."
She stood on her toes and hugged him without thinking.
Ryan's body stiffened for a brief second.
Then...
He slowly hugged her back.
Harlow closed her eyes.
She had never felt so safe.
Ryan gently rested his chin on top of her head.
"You're happy?" he asked quietly.
She smiled against his chest.
"Very."
"Good."
That evening...
Ryan stood alone in his private office.
Damian Cole Harrison entered without knocking.
"You've been acting like a completely different person lately."
Ryan poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"I know."
"You almost look like you're in love."
Ryan let out a quiet laugh.
"In love?"
Damian folded his arms.
"Then what are you doing?"
Ryan stared out of the window.
"I'm earning her trust."
Damian frowned.
"For what?"
Ryan's expression turned cold again.
"So that when the time comes..."
"...it will hurt even more."
The room fell silent.
Damian looked at his best friend with concern.
"Ryan... are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
Ryan didn't answer.
He simply looked at the family photograph lying inside his desk drawer.
His jaw tightened.
"I haven't forgotten."
Upstairs...
Harlow carefully placed the silver bracelet into her jewelry box.
She smiled as she replayed every moment of the day.
Ryan's smile.
His gentle voice.
His embrace.
For the first time...
She allowed herself to dream.
Maybe one day...
She wouldn't be his wife only on paper.
Maybe one day...
She would become the woman he truly loved.
Outside her bedroom, Ryan quietly closed the door after making sure she was asleep.
His expression lost every trace of warmth.
He whispered to himself,
"Don't fall for her, Ryan."
"Remember why you married her."
Without another glance, he walked away into the darkness.
- Writer
