MARRIED TO THE COLD CEO BY MISTAKE

The Morning After

Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden streaks across the sleek marble floor. Sarah blinked awake in the guest room Damien had insisted she use, her head still buzzing from last night — the music, the whispers, the dance, and… him.

She told herself it was all an act. A perfectly staged performance to shut down gossip. But the way his hand had lingered on her back, the way his voice had dipped when he called her mine… that hadn’t felt like acting.

Pulling on a silk robe, she stepped into the hallway. The penthouse was silent except for the faint clink of glass from the kitchen. Damien stood at the counter in a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, coffee in one hand, his phone in the other.

Without looking up, he said, “You’re up early.”

“I could say the same.”

He smirked, finally meeting her eyes. “I’ve been up for hours. Deals don’t wait.”

Sarah crossed her arms. “Is protecting me part of your deals now?”

His gaze sharpened. “Last night wasn’t about protection. It was about sending a message. People need to know where you stand.”

“And where’s that exactly?”

Damien set his cup down and stepped closer, his height casting her in shadow. “Right here. By my side. Whether you like it or not.”

Before she could respond, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, and for the briefest moment, his expression changed — just a flicker, but enough for Sarah to notice. Concern? Anger? Fear?

“What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” he said too quickly, slipping the phone into his pocket. “Finish your coffee. I’ll have the driver take you wherever you need to go.”

But as he moved toward his office, Sarah caught sight of a file clutched in his other hand. The name printed across the top made her stomach tighten.

Sarah Parker – Confidential

Her breath caught. Why would Damien have a confidential file on her?

Before she could think, Damien turned, catching her looking. His expression was unreadable. “Curiosity can be dangerous, Sarah.”

And then the door to his office shut with a soft, final click, leaving her in the quiet penthouse with more questions than answers.