THE VOWS WE NEVER WANTED

Chapter 5 – Boundaries and Battles

Aria didn't get much sleep that night.

As she rolled about on the enormous bed, she kept thinking about her first actual encounter with Kieran. The steel in his gray eyes, the way he had filled the gap between them like a quiet threat, the way his voice had fallen.

He had warned her that she wouldn't prevail.

He didn't know her, however.

Aria Lancaster was never a loser.

By dawn, she was even more determined than before.

Kieran was going to have a harsh shock if he believed she would cower in this marriage.

The silk of her nightgown brushed her skin as she slipped out of bed and headed toward the window. The estate grounds, immaculate, under control, and unspoiled, extended in all directions before her. Similar to everything else in the universe of Kieran Blackwood.

Her stomach churned.

It was more than simply a home.

It was a stronghold.

She was also imprisoned inside it.

She pressed her fingers into the drape.

No.

She refused to be controlled by him.

Okay, if Kieran wanted to stay out of the way. But like a bird in a cage, she wouldn't sit here and wait for the year to end.

She would somehow disturb his idyllic existence.

She would begin today as well.

Aria found the dining room deserted.

With the same enraged indifference, she anticipated seeing Kieran already sitting at the long, polished table, sipping his morning coffee.

However, he was absent.

Instead, Kieran's right-hand man, Nathaniel Calloway, stood by the big windows, sipping his coffee and leafing through a file.

As she walked in, he looked up. "Good morning," said Mrs. Blackwood.

The name made Aria wince.

Nathaniel grinned. "You'll need to adjust to it."

Ignoring the remark, she sat down at the table. In front of her was a platter of toast and fruit, everything in perfect order and unopened.

She reached for the coffee and said, "Where is Kieran?"

Nathaniel put down his file. "A business meeting. He departed early.

Anger and relief fought inside her.

She was relieved that she wouldn't have to deal with him at all.

She was irritated since she didn't like that he created all the regulations without even informing her.

She sipped her coffee, allowing the warmth to ease some of her annoyance. "So, what precisely am I expected to do throughout the day?"

Nathaniel's forehead raised. "Do you want a schedule from me?"

Aria gave an eye roll. What does Kieran expect? Should I spend a year sitting here and gazing at the walls?

Nathaniel grinned. "You'd be the first woman to ever gripe about having all the luxury you want."

Aria's jaw tightened. “Luxury isn’t important to me.”

After examining her for a while, Nathaniel groaned and put down his coffee.

With a more relaxed tone, he replied, "Mrs. Blackwood, you can do whatever you want." Enter the city. Keep working on your designs. Go about your life.

She scowled. "Is there no catch?"

Nathaniel was unsure. Then—

"Just avoid doing anything that would make him feel embarrassed."

Oh.

It was there.

Aria's fingers gripped her cup more tightly. Naturally.

This has to do with appearances. About Kieran using her as a stand-in while maintaining his impeccable reputation.

Her mouth tightened.

Is a picture-perfect wife what he wants?

She would be careful not to be that.

Aria left the mansion for the first time since coming there that afternoon.

She had to breathe.

She needed to rediscover who she was.

She was driven directly to her studio, Lancaster Design House, located in the center of New York City.

The familiar buzz of sewing machines, designers pacing between fabric racks, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee flooded her breath as soon as she entered through the sleek glass doors.

She lived on this planet.

And she forgot about the jail she had been thrown into for a few lovely seconds.

As soon as she entered, her closest friend and public relations manager, Camilla Hayes, virtually ran toward her.

"Aria! What on earth? I've spent days attempting to get in touch with you!

Camilla grabbed Aria's wrist and pulled her inside her office before she could even respond.

Camilla's eyes widened in disbelief as soon as the door closed.

"You're married."

With a sigh, Aria fell onto the sofa. "Avoid reminding me."

Camilla raised both of her hands. "Are you not going to explain? You're getting an award one minute, and then I wake up to news stories referring to you as Mrs. Blackwood.

Aria scowled. "It's difficult."

Camilla's eyes narrowed. "Give me a try."

"My father was in trouble," Aria answered after hesitating for a while. Kieran provided an answer.

Quiet.

Camilla's face became serious. "And by solution,' you mean that he purchased you?"

Aria felt a knot in her gut.

That's precisely what took place.

With a disappointed groan, Camilla slipped onto the sofa next to her. "Aria, this is unfair."

Aria gritted her teeth and smiled. "Has life ever been equitable?"

Camilla gave a headshake. "I still find it hard to believe. Blackwood, Kieran. How many rumors are there about that individual, do you know?

Aria let out a loud sigh. "I promise I'm picking things up quickly."

Camilla examined her intently. "Now what?"

Aria's hands tightened.

"Now?" she said in a firm voice. "I live. And I try to make his life as hard as I can.

Camilla smiled. "I recognize that Aria now."

After spending the day in the real world, Aria felt lighter when she returned to the estate later that night.

However, she realized something was off as soon as she entered the front doors.

Because Kieran was anticipating her arrival.

He seemed to have just come from work as he stood close to the stairway, his suit jacket slung over one arm and his tie unfastened.

His eyes were inscrutable and piercing.

Aria was not going to be intimidated by him.

She kicked off her shoes and said, "You're home early."

Kieran remained still.

There was a hint of edge in his quiet voice.

"You kept your departure a secret from me."

Her heart skipped a beat. "I was unaware that I needed permission."

He clenched his jaw.

"You do not," he said. "However, it would be prudent to notify me the next time."

Her forehead raised. "For me to avoid embarrassing you?"

Quiet.

Kieran then stepped forward slowly.

Aria gasped, but she refused to back down.

He muttered, "You don't have to like this marriage." "But you'll honor it."

In her ears, her pulse roared.

This served as a warning.

A reminder that he still had the upper hand.

Aria, however, had no fear of him.

Her voice was forceful yet kind as she raised her chin.

"We'll check on that."

His jaw muscle twitched.

Neither of them moved for a second.

Then Kieran turned and left without saying another word.

Aria was left standing in the dark hallway, her pulse racing.

He had been challenged by her.

And Kieran Blackwood never lost.