Married To A Stranger

Chapter 6

Shaina’s Point of View

I spent the rest of the morning locked in my room, trying to push down the frustration bubbling inside me.

Cloud had made it clear—this marriage was nothing more than a transaction. He didn’t care about me, didn’t even acknowledge me unless necessary. And Sofia… she was going to be a problem.

A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Madam," a soft voice called.

I walked over and opened the door to find a maid standing there, hands clasped in front of her.

"Mr. Whitley has requested your presence in the study," she informed me politely.

I frowned. "Did he say why?"

She shook her head.

I sighed. So now he decided to acknowledge my existence?

Without another word, I followed her down the long, empty hallways until we stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. The maid gave a small bow before leaving me alone.

I hesitated before knocking lightly.

"Come in."

Cloud’s deep voice carried through the door.

I pushed it open, stepping inside. The study was massive—floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, and a large mahogany desk sat in the center. Cloud was leaning against it, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto me the moment I entered.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

He studied me for a moment before speaking. "We have a dinner to attend tonight."

I blinked. "What?"

He straightened, walking toward one of the tall windows, his back to me. "An engagement I can’t avoid. As my wife, you’ll be attending with me."

I crossed my arms. "And I have no say in this?"

He glanced at me over his shoulder. "Did you think you would?"

My jaw tightened. "A little warning would have been nice."

"I’m giving you one now," he replied, completely unfazed.

I let out a slow breath, trying to control my growing irritation. "Fine. Where is this dinner?"

"At the Lancaster Hotel. It’s a private event for select business partners. Nothing extravagant."

I bit my lip. A business dinner. A night of pretending.

"Do I have a dress for this?" I asked, already guessing the answer.

He nodded toward the closet. "I had some options sent over. Pick whatever you like."

Of course, he had everything arranged.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"Shaina."

I paused, looking back at him.

His expression was unreadable, but his next words sent a shiver down my spine.

"Don’t embarrass me tonight."

I clenched my fists and walked out without another word.

The moment I stepped into the closet, I realized Cloud hadn’t been exaggerating—there were dozens of gowns neatly hung, all in varying shades of elegance.

I ran my fingers over the fabric, feeling the weight of my new reality press down on me.

This wasn’t just a dinner.

This was a test.

A test to see if I could keep up, if I could fit into this world he lived in so effortlessly.

I swallowed my nerves and grabbed a sleek black gown. If I was going to play this part, I might as well look the part too.

The ride to the Lancaster Hotel was silent.

Cloud sat beside me in the limousine, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable. He didn’t speak, didn’t glance my way, as if I wasn’t even there.

Fine. Two could play that game.

When we arrived, I quickly realized this wasn’t just a business dinner—it was a gathering of powerful people. The kind who controlled industries, the kind whose names carried weight.

A waiter guided us inside, and immediately, all eyes turned toward Cloud.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"So that’s him…"

"The hidden heir of Whitley Holdings…"

"I thought he didn’t attend events…"

"Who’s the girl with him?"

I forced myself to keep my head high, ignoring the weight of their stares.

Cloud, however, remained unaffected. He carried himself with a quiet dominance, his presence commanding the room without effort.

We had barely stepped inside when a familiar voice made my stomach twist.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

I turned—and there she was.

Sofia.

She stood in an emerald green gown, her lips curling in amusement as she looked between me and Cloud.

"Didn’t think I’d see you here," she mused, her eyes gleaming with something dangerous.

Cloud barely spared her a glance. "Should I care?"

Sofia’s expression faltered for a split second before she recovered, her smile never fading.

She turned to me, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You look nice, sister… though a bit out of place, don’t you think?"

I held my ground. "Funny, I was thinking the same about you."

A flicker of irritation crossed her face, but she quickly masked it.

"Relax, I’m just here to enjoy the evening," she said smoothly. "After all, these kinds of events aren’t really your scene, are they?"

Before I could reply, Cloud spoke—his voice calm but sharp.

"If you’re done wasting our time, we have better places to be."

Sofia’s eyes darkened for a split second before she stepped back, her gaze locked onto Cloud like a predator waiting for the right moment.

"Of course," she said with a slow smile. "Enjoy the evening, Mr. Whitley."

Cloud ignored her completely, placing a firm hand on the small of my back as he guided me forward.

The moment we walked past Sofia, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

"Ignore her," Cloud muttered low enough for only me to hear.

I looked up at him, surprised he had even acknowledged the tension.

For the first time since this marriage began, I saw something flicker in his expression.

Was it… protectiveness?

I wasn’t sure.

But one thing was clear—this night was only just beginning.

And Sofia wasn’t done playing her games.