Don't Mess With Her.

Chapter 3

The room was grander than anything Wendy had ever seen in her life. Gilded furniture with intricate carvings lined the walls, a crystal chandelier sparkled above her, and the silk curtains swayed lightly in the breeze from the slightly open balcony door. She sat stiffly on the edge of the enormous canopy bed, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her white satin nightgown brushed against her knees, its smoothness a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.

Her gaze swept across the room. It was so lavish, so cold, and so impersonal. It wasn’t a room for love; it was a display of wealth. Of course, she thought bitterly. What else can you expect from the Nelson family?

The Nelsons weren’t just wealthy; they were untouchable. A dynasty built on money and power, they controlled more than just businesses—they controlled lives. And now, they controlled hers. Wendy bit her lip, her mind drifting to her mother. At least now her hospital bills would be covered. That was the only silver lining she could cling to.

But how was she supposed to survive in a marriage like this? A loveless union built on lies and convenience? Wendy’s chest tightened as the weight of her reality pressed down on her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. She snapped her head up, her heart pounding.

He entered.

Henry Nelson, her husband, strode into the room with an air of authority that made Wendy instinctively straighten her posture. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, the top two buttons of his white shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his chiselled features illuminated by the warm glow of the chandelier. He was the kind of man who commanded attention without trying.

But he didn’t even spare her a glance.

Wendy gulped down hard lumps that formed in her throat, her eyes following him as he walked to the dresser, removed his cufflinks, and set them down with precision. She couldn’t help but admire him. He was devastatingly handsome, the kind of man who could make any woman weak in the knees. And yet, he was completely unattainable.

How am I supposed to live with someone like this? she thought.

Henry finally turned, his piercing gaze landing on her for the first time that night. Wendy’s breath caught in her throat.

“Evelyn Owen,” he said, his tone cold and formal. “Don’t think for a second that you’re part of this family. You’re here for one reason and one reason only, to care for my grandfather.”

Wendy froze, her mind reeling. Evelyn Owen. That name felt like a dagger every time it was spoken. It wasn’t hers, but it had to be. For as long as this marriage lasted, she had to be Evelyn.

“Do you hear me?” Henry’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

She nodded quickly, her voice trembling. “Y...yes, I heard you.”

He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Good. Because I don’t have time for games. Stay out of my way, do your duty, and maybe we won’t have a problem.”

Wendy nodded again, her throat too dry to speak.

Henry stared at her for a moment longer, his gaze unreadable. Then he turned, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked toward the en-suite bathroom. Wendy’s eyes involuntarily followed him, and her stomach twisted with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name.

This man… she thought, her heart racing.

She couldn’t believe it. This was the same man from the club. The man who had pulled her into his world of chaos and left her with a memory she couldn’t shake. But he didn’t recognize her. Of course, he wouldn’t. He had been so drunk that night, so lost in his haze, that he probably didn’t even remember what had happened.

And now, here she was, sitting on his bed, wearing his ring, pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

The bathroom door opened, and Henry emerged, now dressed in a pair of grey lounge pants and a fitted black t-shirt that clung to his muscular frame. He glanced at her briefly before walking to the balcony, sliding the glass door open, and stepping outside.

Wendy let out a shaky breath, her hands gripping the edge of the bed. Her thoughts were spinning. She couldn’t tell him the truth, not without risking everything. If the Nelson family discovered the deception, they would destroy her stepfamily. Her mother’s treatment would be stopped, and she couldn’t let that happen.

But how was she supposed to face him every day, knowing what had happened between them?

Henry’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Why are you still sitting there? Go to bed.”

Wendy flinched, looking up to find him standing in the doorway, his arms crossed.

“I… I was just…” she trailed off, unsure of what to say.

“Just go to bed,” he repeated, his tone impatient.

She nodded, standing on shaky legs as she moved to the other side of the bed. Sliding under the covers, she felt the coolness of the silk sheets against her skin. She lay stiffly, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

Henry stayed by the balcony for a while longer before finally closing the door and turning off the lights. Wendy felt the bed dip as he lay down beside her, the space between them vast and cold.

Her heart raced as she listened to his breathing, trying to calm the storm inside her. But then, out of nowhere, his voice cut through the silence.

“This marriage is nothing more than a deal,” he said, his tone low but firm. “Don’t expect anything from me, Evelyn.”

Wendy gulped down nothing, her chest tightening. “I understand.”

“Good.”

The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. Wendy closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. But as her thoughts swirled and her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much more complicated.

And as Henry lay beside her, so close yet so distant, she couldn’t help but wonder: How long could she keep up this act? Will he ever love her for who she is?

But this man is so attractive and she can't help but imagine being loved by him.

What if he finds out it was her that night? He may be willing to love her and be responsible for her like he promised.

Yes! She has to make use of this opportunity. Maybe they were destined to be together, after all. She has to let him know; who knows…it may turn from a loveless to a love-filled marriage