Desired not owned by the billionaire

Chapter4

**Mia's POV**

“Yes,” Vale said firmly. “No falling in love.”

My lips curved into a slight, ironic smile. “Is that supposed to be a rule for me… or for you?”

Vale didn’t respond. Somehow, his silence was the only answer I needed.

I grabbed the pen, my fingers hovering over the paper for a long moment. My heart pounded as doubt flooded my mind. Then, before I could overthink it, I signed. Vale watched me intently, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

“Welcome,” he said quietly, “Mrs. Vale.”

As I placed the pen down, a dangerous whisper echoed in my heart: *This wasn’t going to stay fake for long.*

“I’ll take my leave now,” I said, my mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. *What have I done?*

Hours later, as the workday ended, Vale insisted, “Let me drop you off.”

I knew I shouldn’t say it, but I couldn’t hold back. “By morning, the official page will announce our engagement.”

I was stunned at how fast everything was moving. “Are you serious?” I asked, stepping out of his car and shutting the door a little too loudly.

---

The next day arrived faster than I wanted. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit for work and rethinking the huge decision I had made. I took a deep breath. *I have to buckle up for the drama that’s about to unfold.*

The news didn’t stay quiet for long. It exploded across every platform.

I was sitting at my desk when the entire office atmosphere suddenly shifted. Whispers spread like wildfire, curious stares followed me everywhere, and my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing with notifications.

The office door slammed open. Ria stormed in, her heels clicking like gunshots across the marble floor, her expression dark with pure rage.

“MIA!” she shouted my name like a curse.

The entire office froze. Before I could even react, she was standing right in front of my desk.

“You?” She let out a bitter laugh. “This is your plan? Sleeping your way to the top?”

I stood up quickly, trying to steady my nerves. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ria leaned closer, her voice dripping with venom. “You think he actually chose you?” she whispered. “You’re just convenient.”

“Enough.”

Vale’s cold, commanding voice cut through the tension like a knife. He stepped between us, placing himself protectively in front of me. “Watch how you talk to her.”

Ria’s eyes widened for a split second before hardening with fury. “To *her*?” she scoffed. “Are you really defending her in front of everyone?”

Vale didn’t hesitate. “The woman you’re trying to embarrass is my wife.”

A heavy, shocked silence fell over the entire office.

Ria’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. “This isn’t over,” she said softly. “Not even close.”

She turned on her heels and stormed out, fury radiating from every step.

I let out a shaky breath. “Thank you so much for helping me,” I said quietly.

Vale responded by pulling me into a gentle hug. “It’s okay,” he murmured.

But I could still feel it in the air—the war had just begun.

---

Later that evening, Vale said, “I would love for you to move in with me—for security reasons. Ria could be dangerous, and you are my wife now.”

He said it with a satisfying smile that made my stomach flutter.

That night, after a long and exhausting day, I stood in front of Vale’s mansion with my suitcase beside me. “This is insane,” I muttered under my breath.

“You’ve said that a lot,” Vale replied calmly.

Inside, everything was perfect—*too* perfect. Cold marble floors gleamed under the lights, high ceilings gave the space an intimidating grandeur, and expensive art adorned the walls. Yet it felt strangely empty, like no one truly lived there.

“Your room is upstairs,” Vale said.

“My room?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

I crossed my arms. “We are married, remember?”

That made him pause—just for a second.

Then he asked quietly, “Do you want to share a room?”

The air between us suddenly shifted, growing thick with tension.

I stepped closer, just enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. “You’re the one who made the rule,” I said softly. “No feelings.”

Vale’s jaw tightened. “And I follow my rules.”

But his eyes… his eyes said something completely different.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The silence of the massive mansion felt too loud, too heavy. I got up and wandered downstairs. I didn’t expect to find him standing by the large window, his shirt slightly undone, lost deep in thought.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked.

Vale turned slowly. “No.”

Our eyes met, and suddenly it felt exactly like that first night again—the pull, the electricity.

“You regret it?” I asked.

“Which part?” he replied.

“This… me?”

He stepped closer. “Not even for a second.”

My breath hitched. This was dangerous.

---

Days passed, but nothing felt normal. We went through the motions of our contract—appearing together publicly, maintaining the image of a happy couple. I tried to avoid him, but it was getting harder every day.

I guess I was falling for him.