Married To A Stranger

Chapter 15

Cloud’s Point of View

I stood by the window of my office, staring out at the city lights. My mind was still clouded with anger after the call with Mr. Hernandez. The audacity of that man, demanding a divorce as if Shaina was some pawn to be discarded.

I clenched my fists.

They had hurt her enough.

Sofia and her father had played their games for too long, and now they would face the consequences.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I said.

Shaina stepped inside hesitantly, her fingers twisting the hem of her sweater. I could still see the emotions from earlier in her eyes—hurt, frustration, but also something else… determination.

“Are you okay?” she asked quietly.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “I should be asking you that.”

She walked toward me, stopping just a few feet away. “I know you’re angry, but… I don’t want you to make decisions just because of me.”

I turned to face her. “Shaina, this isn’t just about you. They tried to manipulate you, hurt you, and now they want to control your life all over again. I won’t allow it.”

She looked down, biting her lip. “It’s just… I don’t want you to destroy their company just for revenge.”

I studied her carefully.

“You still care about them?” I asked.

She let out a small, bitter laugh. “No. I care about who I used to be—the girl who kept hoping they’d love me back.”

My chest tightened at her words.

She had spent her whole life being cast aside by the very people who were supposed to protect her. Yet, she still hesitated to seek revenge.

I took a step closer. “Then let me do it for you,” I said softly.

She met my gaze, surprised.

“This isn’t just about business, Shaina. This is about making sure they can never hurt you again,” I continued. “I won’t let them.”

For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Then, slowly, she nodded.

“Okay,” she whispered.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Good.”

I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers.

“You should rest,” I murmured.

She hesitated before squeezing my hand slightly. “Only if you come with me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you asking me to sleep next to you again?”

Her face turned red. “I just—I mean, last time I had a nightmare and—”

I chuckled, pulling her closer. “Shaina, you don’t have to explain.”

She glared up at me. “I wasn’t explaining.”

I smirked. “Of course.”

Rolling her eyes, she turned and walked toward the bedroom. I followed without hesitation.

Tonight, I wouldn’t let her face her fears alone.

And from now on, she never would.

Cloud & Shaina’s First Night

The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows along the walls. Shaina sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers tangled in the fabric of her nightgown, heart racing as Cloud stood in front of her.

There was no rush, no words—just the silent pull between them, undeniable and electric.

Cloud reached out, his fingers gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you afraid?” he asked softly.

Shaina swallowed, searching his gaze. “No,” she whispered.

His lips quirked into the faintest smile. “Then why are you trembling?”

She didn’t answer—she didn’t need to. Instead, she reached for him, fingers trailing over the buttons of his shirt before she looked up at him again. Cloud’s eyes darkened, a silent permission lingering in his gaze.

And then, he kissed her.

It was slow at first, patient, but the moment she melted into him, the restraint unraveled. His arms tightened around her, pulling her against him as the kiss deepened, their breaths tangling in the space between them.

Cloud lifted her effortlessly, laying her onto the bed with reverence, as if she were something fragile, something precious. His hands traced the curve of her waist, fingers memorizing every inch of her as his lips left a trail of fire against her skin.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured against her ear, his breath warm, his voice thick with restraint.

Shaina met his gaze, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. “Don’t stop.”

A groan escaped his lips as he kissed her again, deeper this time, as if he had been waiting for this moment forever. Clothes slipped away between whispered breaths, hands exploring, discovering.

Cloud moved with patience, with devotion, as if committing every part of her to memory. And when they finally became one, it was more than just passion—it was a silent promise, a surrender, a beginning.

The night stretched on, lost in soft gasps and whispered names, until exhaustion finally pulled them under.

By the time morning arrived, Shaina stirred, her body wrapped in warmth. Cloud’s arm was draped over her waist, his steady breathing fanning against her skin.

She turned slightly, watching him, realizing just how much had changed between them.

And for the first time, she wasn’t afraid of what came next.

Sofia’s Point of View

I slammed my phone onto my desk, seething.

Cloud had just humiliated my father, and worse—he had completely shut me out.

Not only was I no longer allowed in his mansion, but now our business was on the verge of collapsing because of his influence.

This was all because of her.

Shaina.

I gritted my teeth.

I had spent my entire life being the perfect daughter, the favorite, the one everyone admired. And yet, somehow, she was the one who ended up married to Cloud.

I should’ve been the one standing by his side.

I should’ve been the one he protected.

I needed to fix this.

I took a deep breath, composing myself.

Fine. If Cloud wanted to treat me like an outsider, I would make sure she was removed first.

I smirked, picking up my phone again.

“Prepare everything,” I said into the receiver.

If Shaina thought she had won, she was about to learn the hard way—

I always got what I wanted.