The Secret Bride

The Mansion

The Secret Bride

Chapter Three: The Mansion

The silence she left behind was heavy.

Amanda turned to Damon, her voice low. "Why did you defend me?"

He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Because you're mine. And no one disrespects what's mine."

Her pulse skipped. The words were possessive, controlling, but the way he said them- firm, protective- sent a confusing thrill through her.

She swallowed, forcing herself to speak.

"You don't mean that in the way a husband should."

"No," he admitted easily. "But if you're going to play Mrs. Steele, you will be treated as such. Whether by the staff, by the public, or by my enemies."

His words should have reassured her, but instead, they tangled her heart into knots.

Because deep down, she couldn't ignore the truth:

Amanda told herself she hated him.

She repeated it like a mantra every time Damon Steele's cold eyes swept over her, every time his commanding voice ordered her around like she was one of his stuff. This was just a contract. Just survival. Nothing more.

And yet, as she sat across from him in the limousine later that evening, watching the city lights blur past, her heart betrayed her.

He looked... untouchable. The sharp lines of his jaw, the perfect fit of his tailored suit, the way he carried himself with absolute control- it was impossible not to notice. Women would kill for glance from him, and here she was, his wife on paper.

His fake wife.

Amanda forced herself to look away, staring out the window. She couldn't afford to fall into dangerous fantasies.

"Stop fidgeting,"Damon said suddenly, his voice smooth but firm.

"I'm not fidgeting," She muttered.

"Yes, you are. you're nervous. It shows." His gray eyes flicked to hers.

"At events like this, weakness is blood in the water. My competitors will tear you apart if they sense it."

"Comforting," she shot back, crossing her arms.

A ghost of a smile curved his lips- so quick she almost missed it. "Don't worry. They'll never get the chance."

The limousine pulled up to a luxury hotel, where a charity gala was already in full swing. The red carpet stretched across the entrance, cameras flashing as socialites posed for photos.

Amanda's breath hitched. She wasn't ready for this.

Damon stepped out first, tall and commanding, and offered her hand.

She hesitated only a second before taking it. His grip was strong, grounding. The flashes exploded the moment they appeared together, voices shouting questions.

"Mr. Steele! who's the mystery bride?"

"Is it true you married in secret?"

"Mrs. Steele, how did you meet your husband?"

Amanda froze, blinded by the attention. but Damon leaned down, his lips near her ear, his breath sending a shiver down her neck.

" Smile, "he ordered softly.

Somehow, she obeyed.

The crowd gasped at the sight- the icy billionaire with a beautiful new wife at his side. They looked perfect together, like something out of a magazine.

Inside the ballroom, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and a string quartet played softly. Waiters moved gracefully between tables with champagne flutes. Amanda clung to Damon's arm, praying she wouldn't trip.

" You're doing fine," he murmured, his tone low enough that only she could hear.

She glanced up at him, startled. There was no mockery in his voice, no coldness. Just...reassurance.

Before she could respond, a silky voice cut in.

"Well, well. Damon Steele, the untouchable bachelor, finally chained."

A tall man approached, his smile charming but his eyes sharp. He was handsome in a polished way, with golden hair and a gleaming watch that screamed wealth.

"Victor." Damon's tone tone was flat, his jaw tightening.

The man's gaze slid to Amanda, and his smile widened." And who is this vision?"

" This is my wife," Damon said, his arm tightening around her possessively.

Victor's brows lifted. "Wife? Interesting. I never thought I'd see the day."

" He extended a hand to Amanda." Victor Hayes. Damon and I go way back."

Amanda shook it politely, thought his lingering grip made her uneasy." Amanda," she said quietly.

"Beautiful name," Victor said smoothly, his eyes flickering with something that made her skin crawl. "We'll have to get to know each other better."

Before she could reply, Damon's hand closed over hers, pulling her back against him. His eyes burned into Victor's with unmistakable warning.

"She doesn't need new friends, " Damon said coolly." Enjoy the evening, Hayes."

Victor chuckled darkly, releasing her hand.

"Careful, Steele. You might actually start to care for this one."

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd. Amanda exhaled shakily. "He seems... intense."

"Stay away from him," Damon said sharply.

Her eyes narrowed. Why? What's between you two?" Nothing you need to worry about," he replied, his jaw hard

She frowned. "I'm your wife now- whether real or fake, the public believes it.

If someone hates you, it affects me too. Don't you think I deserve to know?"

Damon's eyes met hers, stormy and untouchable. For a moment, she thought he might tell her. But then his expression shuttered.

"Not tonight," he said simply, guiding her away.

Hours later, when they finally returned to Steele Manor, Amanda kicked off her heels with a sign of relief.

"You handled yourself well," Damon said, loosening his tie.

She arched a brow. "Was that...a compliment?.

His lips twitched. "Don't let it go into your head."

Her heart skipped despite herself. She should hate him. She wanted to hate him. But every time he let his guard down, even for a second, she saw glimpses of a man she couldn't stop being curious about.

"Why did you really marry me?" she asked suddenly, the question slipping out before she could stop it.

Damon froze, his back to her. Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Finally, he turned, his eyes shadowed.

" Because I needed who wouldn't betray me."

The words hit her like a punch. There was pain in them, buried deep.

But before she could ask more, he stopped closer, his gaze dark and dangerous.

"Remember this, Amanda," he murmured, his voice low, almost a growl.

" This marriage is business. Nothing more. Don't confuse it with anything else."

And then he was gone, leaving her alone with a racing heart and a truth she couldn't ignore:

She was falling for a man swore he had no heart left to give.

Amanda spent the next morning wandering the halls of Steele Manor trying to familiarize herself with the labyrinthine rooms. Despite the luxury, the mansion felt cold, almost hostile- each hallway, each polished floorboard a reminder that she didn't belong here.

Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridors until she reached the library again. Books lined every wall, their leather spines worn with age.

She ran her fingers along one, tracing the letters, trying to ground herself in something familiar.

" Reading already?" Damon's deep voice startled her.

She jumped, clutching a thick volume to her chest."I-I didn't hear you come in."

He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, gray eyes sharp. " You shouldn't be wandering alone. This house has rules."

"I'm not a child," she shot back, thought her voice trembled slightly.

" No, but appearances matter," he said, stepping closer. His presence filled the room, dominating the space in way that made it impossible to look anywhere else.

Amanda swallowed, suddenly very aware of the proximity, the slight heat radiating from him. " So, what are the rules?"

"Simple." His gaze met hers, unwavering. " Behave in public. Obey in private.

Stay out of my affairs unless I ask for help. And- most importantly- don't fall in love."

Her heart skipped a beat at the last words, but she quickly scolded herself.

She won't fall in love. It's a contract. It's a job. Nothing more.