MARRIED TO THE STRANGER

CHAPTER 3

Treasure woke up to the faint sound of chirping birds outside her window. The sun had barely risen, casting a pale glow across her room, but sleep had evaded her most of the night. She sat up, pulling the heavy quilt tighter around her shoulders, the weight of the previous day pressing down on her chest like a physical burden.

Her mother’s knock on the door was soft but insistent. “Treasure, darling, it’s time to prepare for the day. There’s much to do.”

“Coming,” Treasure mumbled, her voice raspy from lack of sleep. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet meeting the cold hardwood floor. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for what was to come.

The house was bustling with activity when she descended the stairs. Servants moved swiftly, arranging flowers, polishing silver, and setting up what appeared to be an elaborate breakfast spread. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee and buttered pastries, but the sight only made Treasure’s stomach churn.

Her father was seated at the head of the dining table, sipping his coffee and scanning through a newspaper. He looked up briefly when she entered. “Good. You’re up. Jake will be joining us for breakfast shortly.”

Treasure froze mid-step. “He’s coming here?”

“Of course,” her father replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “This isn’t a vacation, Treasure. The sooner you two spend time together, the smoother things will go.”

She wanted to protest, to demand why her feelings were being treated like inconsequential footnotes in her own life. But her father’s tone left no room for argument.

The knock on the door came precisely at eight. Gregory James strode to the entrance with his usual commanding air, opening it to reveal Jake Roberts. He was dressed more casually today—dark jeans and a tailored blazer—but he still exuded the same intimidating presence that had left Treasure uneasy the day before.

“Jake,” her father greeted warmly, shaking his hand. “Come in. We’re delighted to have you join us this morning.”

Jake nodded, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room before landing on Treasure. She felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the vase of lilies on the table.

“Miss James,” Jake said, his voice low and deliberate as he addressed her. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” she replied, her voice barely audible.

Jake took the seat across from her at the long dining table, his movements deliberate and smooth. The tension in the room was palpable as the servants brought out the dishes—fluffy scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, and warm croissants. Treasure picked at her food, unable to stomach more than a few bites.

Her father, however, seemed unfazed by the awkward atmosphere. He launched into a conversation about business, discussing ventures and opportunities that only he and Jake seemed to understand. Treasure sat silently, feeling like a child at the grown-ups’ table.

At one point, Jake turned to her. “What do you think, Treasure?”

She blinked, caught off guard. “About what?”

“The integration of our families’ businesses,” he said, his tone patient but probing. “Do you believe it will be beneficial?”

Treasure hesitated, unsure how to respond. She had no real understanding of their business dealings, and it was clear her opinion was irrelevant. Still, Jake’s expectant gaze made it impossible to remain silent.

“I... I suppose it makes sense,” she said finally, her voice wavering. “If it’s what my father believes is best.”

Jake’s lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Diplomatic answer.”

Her cheeks burned, and she looked down at her plate, wishing she could disappear.

After breakfast, Jake suggested a walk in the garden. Treasure had no choice but to agree, though every fiber of her being wanted to retreat to the safety of her room. The garden was sprawling and meticulously maintained, with rows of roses, towering hedges, and a marble fountain at its center. The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.

They walked in silence at first, the only sound the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Treasure kept her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

“Do you always let others decide your fate?” Jake’s question broke the silence, his tone neutral but cutting.

Treasure stopped, turning to face him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he said, his gaze piercing, “that you seem content to let your father dictate every aspect of your life. Do you ever push back? Or is compliance easier?”

Her chest tightened, a mix of anger and embarrassment flooding her veins. “You don’t know anything about me or my life,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Then enlighten me,” Jake said, his tone softening slightly. “Why go along with this arrangement if it’s not what you want?”

She looked away, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Because I don’t have a choice,” she said quietly. “I never have.”

Jake studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. “There’s always a choice, Treasure. Some just come with higher costs.”

They continued walking, the tension between them thick but unspoken. For the first time, Treasure saw a glimmer of something in Jake’s demeanor—not pity, but understanding. It was fleeting, gone as quickly as it appeared, but it left her unsettled.

When they returned to the house, her father was waiting in the study. Treasure was dismissed, her presence deemed unnecessary for whatever business he and Jake needed to discuss. She retreated to her room, grateful for the solitude but haunted by Jake’s words.

She spent the rest of the day in a haze, her mind racing with questions she couldn’t answer. Jake was unlike anyone she had ever met—confident, assertive, and maddeningly perceptive. He saw through her defenses, challenging her in ways that left her both infuriated and intrigued.

As night fell, Treasure sat by her window, staring out at the moonlit garden. Her life was no longer her own, but for the first time, she wondered if it ever had been.

One thing was certain: Jake Roberts was not a man to be ignored or underestimated. And whether she liked it or not, her life was now inexorably tied to his.