Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Episode 5:
928 Words
Written by Rhemita Stories
Episode 5 – The Mansion of Thorns
Rain pelted the glass walls of Andrian Knight’s mansion like the sky itself was warning her.
Elena stood at the massive doorway, clutching her small suitcase, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned the sound of thunder.
Everything about the house screamed power. The marble floors gleamed, the chandeliers shimmered with a golden glow, and the silence was so heavy it pressed on her lungs.
“Follow me,” Andrian said flatly, not even sparing her a glance. His deep voice filled the space like a command the walls obeyed.
He walked ahead, tall, broad-shouldered, hands tucked casually into his pockets. Elena trailed behind, the echo of her heels following him like a reluctant shadow.
The mansion wasn’t just luxurious—it was intimidating. Every inch of it was perfect, cold, and lifeless… just like the man who owned it.
When they reached the grand staircase, Andrian stopped abruptly.
“You’ll stay in the east wing,” he said, turning to face her. His eyes—icy gray and unreadable—met hers, and Elena felt her chest tighten.
“East wing?” she repeated nervously.
“Yes.” His tone hardened. “It’s far enough from my quarters. I value peace and order. Don’t disturb either.”
Elena clenched her fists. “You make it sound like I’m a stranger.”
“You are,” he replied sharply. “And it’s best you remember that.”
She bit back the sting in her throat. “You agreed to this marriage too, Andrian. You don’t get to treat me like a—”
“Like what?” His gaze darkened, stepping closer until she could feel his breath on her face. “A woman who’s here because her father owes me millions?”
The words hit her like a slap. She froze, humiliation burning her eyes.
Andrian smirked, voice dropping to a low whisper. “Don’t pretend this was fate. It was business.”
Her chin trembled, but she raised it anyway. “Then let’s keep it that way, Mr. Knight. Business only.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. He admired her stubbornness—even if it annoyed him. “Good. Then we’ll start with the rules.”
He took a folded paper from his inner pocket and handed it to her.
Elena frowned, unfolding it. Her pulse quickened as her eyes scanned the words:
Rule 1: You are to stay within the east wing unless instructed otherwise.
Rule 2: You will attend all public events with me. We will appear as a happy couple.
Rule 3: No personal questions. No emotional outbursts.
Rule 4: You will dine when I dine. You will speak when I speak to you.
Rule 5: You will never, under any circumstance, talk about the past.
She lowered the paper slowly. “You wrote me a manual?”
Andrian’s lips curved in the faintest smirk. “Think of it as survival instructions.”
Elena glared at him. “You can’t control every part of my life.”
He stepped closer again, voice dangerously calm. “You’d be surprised what I can control, Mrs. Knight.”
Her breath caught. The way he said Mrs. Knight—taunting, yet deep—sent a shiver through her.
“I’ll follow your rules,” she managed, forcing her voice to steady. “But don’t expect me to obey forever.”
Andrian leaned closer, eyes burning into hers. “Sweetheart, you won’t even last a week.”
He brushed past her and strode down the hallway, leaving her trembling and furious.
---
Later that night, Elena sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the mansion’s moonlit gardens through the window.
Her wedding ring glinted coldly under the light, mocking her.
She missed her father—despite his mistakes. She missed Maya, her loud, caring best friend who would’ve told her to punch Andrian in the face already.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Maya:
> "Are you okay? He’s not being a jerk, right?"
Elena’s eyes watered as she typed back.
> "Define jerk."
Seconds later, Maya’s reply came with a sticker of a crying cat holding a bat.
> "Want me to come save you?"
Elena smiled weakly through her tears. “I wish you could,” she whispered to herself.
Just then, the door opened.
Andrian stood there, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, looking far too casual for her heart to behave.
Her pulse jumped as he entered without permission.
“I didn’t say you could come in,” she said quietly.
He ignored her. “Rule six,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “Always answer when I enter.”
“I didn’t know that was a rule,” she snapped.
“It is now.”
Her anger flared. “You can’t just keep making them up!”
He crossed the distance between them in two strides. “Watch me.”
His hand brushed a strand of hair from her face. The touch was brief but electric, like lightning between storm clouds.
She froze. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
Andrian’s gaze lingered on her lips for a heartbeat too long before he stepped back. “Because I can.”
And then he was gone, leaving her breathless and confused.
Elena’s heart thudded in her chest long after he left.
She hated him. She should hate him.
So why did her stomach twist every time he looked at her like that?
---
🌹 To Be Continued… 🌹
- Writer
