Sold to the scarred CEO

Chapter 2: When Stranger Met Mask

I didn’t sleep.

How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the CEO’s mask, the way the light caught the silver edges, the coldness in his gaze. I heard the sound of the lock clicking, the finality of it. I felt the weight of the contract, the signature that wasn’t mine, binding me to a man I didn’t know.

Morning came slowly, gray light filtering through the thick window. I was still on the floor, my back stiff, my mind foggy. I stood, stretching, and walked to the door.

Still locked.

I knocked. Hello?

No answer.

I knocked again, louder. Can someone open the door?

Silence.

I was starting to panic when I heard footsteps approaching. Slow, deliberate. The lock clicked, and the door swung open.

The CEO stood there, dressed in the same black suit as yesterday, his mask in place. He held a tray in one hand, which he pushed past me onto a small table by the window.

Breakfast, he said.

I stared at the tray. Toast, eggs, fruit, coffee. It looked normal. Almost kind.

Are you going to lock me in again? I asked.

He paused, his hand on the doorknob. Do you plan to run?

I don’t know yet.

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then I’ll leave it unlocked. For now.

He turned to leave, but I stopped him. Wait.

He glanced back. Yes?

Why are you doing this?

Doing what?

Being… civil. I gestured to the tray, the open door. You bought me. You locked me in. Why are you being nice?

His mouth twitched, that almost-smile again. I’m not nice. I’m practical.

Practical how?

If I treat you like a prisoner, you’ll act like one. If I treat you like a wife, you might start believing it.

The words hit me like a slap. I’m not your wife.

Legally, you are. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. The contract was signed. The marriage was registered. You’re mine.

Not by choice.

Choice is overrated. He reached out, brushing his fingers along my jawline. I flinched, but he didn’t pull away. You’ll learn to choose me. Eventually.

I stepped back, breaking his touch. Don’t touch me.

He lowered his hand, his expression unchanged. As you wish.

He turned and walked out, leaving the door open behind him.

I stood there for a moment, my heart racing. Then I walked to the tray, picking up the coffee. It was still warm.

I drank it slowly, staring out the window. The grounds below were vast, manicured, beautiful. And completely inescapable. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements precise, watchful. There was no way out without being seen.

I finished the coffee, set the cup down, and walked out of the room.

The mansion was even more imposing in the daylight. High ceilings, marble floors, portraits of people I didn’t recognize lining the walls. The air was cold, sterile, like a museum.

I wandered the corridors, exploring. There were doors everywhere, but most were locked. I found a library, a dining room, a study. All beautiful, all empty.

I was heading back toward my room when I heard voices.

I froze, pressing myself against the wall. The voices were coming from a room down the hall, the door slightly ajar.

can’t keep her here forever, a man was saying. It’s not sustainable.

I can do whatever I want, the CEO’s voice replied, cold and sharp. She’s mine.

She’s a person, not a possession.

Not anymore.

I peeked through the crack in the door. The CEO was standing by the window, his back to me. Another man stood across from him, younger, with the same sharp features but softer eyes.

His half-brother.

I’d heard the rumors. The CEO had a half-brother, the product of his father’s second marriage. They were estranged, hostile. The brother had tried to take control of the company after the fire that scarred the CEO’s face. He’d failed.

Let her go, the brother said. She’s not part of this.

She’s everything part of this. The CEO turned, his mask glinting in the light. She’s the key to securing my position. To protecting what’s mine.

From who?

From everyone.

The brother shook his head. You’re paranoid.

I’m alive. You’re not. That’s the difference.

The brother’s jaw tightened. I’m not giving up.

Then you’ll lose.

The brother turned, walking toward the door. I stepped back quickly, hiding in the shadows. He passed by without seeing me, his expression grim.

The CEO remained by the window, still as a statue.

I waited until the brother’s footsteps faded, then slipped back toward my room.

I needed to think. I needed to plan.

But as I walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched.

I glanced over my shoulder. The corridor was empty.

But somewhere, in the shadows, the CEO was watching.

And he was planning something.

Something that involved me.

I reached my room, closing the door behind me. I leaned against it, my heart racing.

I was trapped.

But I wasn’t helpless.

I would find a way out.

I had to.

Because if I didn’t…

I’d become exactly what he wanted.

His wife.

His possession.

His forever.

And I wasn’t sure I could survive that.