Chapter 5
1027 Words
Sienna’s POV
Campbell led me through the grand corridors of his estate with a sense of effortless dominance, his pace unhurried yet purposeful. I followed, my mind still buzzing from my encounter with Devon. Seeing him squirm under the realization of his own decisions had been… satisfying. But now, as I trailed after my new husband, something else gnawed at me—curiosity.
Why did Campbell marry me? Why me, specifically?
We entered an elegant lounge bathed in warm golden light, the kind of room designed for quiet power plays rather than relaxation. A butler had already prepared tea on a sleek glass table, the scent of chamomile and bergamot filling the air. Campbell gestured for me to sit, then settled into the armchair opposite me with a practiced ease.
I studied him as he poured himself a cup, his fingers steady, his movements precise. Everything about him screamed control.
I leaned back, crossing my legs. “Why did you marry me?”
Campbell barely paused as he stirred his tea. “Straight to the point. I like that.”
“I doubt you married me because of my conversation skills,” I shot back.
He smirked, lifting his cup to his lips. “No, I didn’t.”
I arched a brow, waiting.
He exhaled, as if debating whether he should indulge me. Then, he set his cup down and met my gaze. “I needed a wife.”
“That much is obvious.”
He tilted his head slightly, the amusement in his eyes deepening. “And I wanted to prove a point.”
I frowned. “To whom?”
Campbell leaned back, his long fingers tapping against the armrest. “My stepbrother.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Your stepbrother?”
“Yes.” He spoke the word as though it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“And what exactly were you proving?”
“That I always win.”
His tone was calm, cool, as if he were merely stating a fact rather than boasting.
I scoffed. “So I was… what? A chess piece in some family feud?”
He gave me a slow, considering look. “Not just any piece. The queen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Flattery doesn’t suit you.”
“No? A shame. I hear women like that sort of thing.”
I took a sip of my tea, narrowing my eyes at him. “Let’s not change the subject. Why did marrying me prove anything to your stepbrother?”
Campbell sighed, stretching out his legs. “My uncle was the original CEO of Nicholas Automobiles. When he passed, he left control of the company to me. But there was one condition—if I wasn’t married by the time I turned thirty, my stepbrother, Damien, would have the right to challenge my position.”
I stared at him. “So this marriage was about keeping your company?”
“More or less.”
I let that sink in. Of all the reasons I had imagined, this wasn’t one of them. “And you never intended to get married?”
He gave me a lazy smile. “I don’t like commitments.”
“That’s… reassuring.”
He chuckled. “Relax. I don’t expect anything from you.”
I set my cup down, watching him carefully. “Then why me? You could have married anyone.”
“True. But you were convenient.”
I bristled. “Convenient?”
Campbell’s gaze darkened slightly. “Think about it. You had no one. No family to interfere, no ties to complicate things. And,” his lips quirked, “you were already in a coma. It made things… simple.”
My stomach tightened. I wasn’t sure whether to be angry or impressed. “That’s… disturbingly realistic.”
“I’m a businessman, Sienna.” He leaned forward slightly. “I make decisions based on logic, not emotions.”
I studied him, searching for cracks in the perfect mask he wore. “And what about now?”
He tilted his head. “What about now?”
“You said you don’t like commitments. But you married me. Even if it was for business, it’s still a commitment.”
Campbell smirked. “Marriage is only a commitment if you make it one.”
I scoffed. “How romantic.”
“I try.”
I shook my head, taking another sip of tea. “So what happens now?”
Campbell’s gaze flickered to the window, as if considering his answer. “Now, we play our roles. You’ll accompany me to events, smile when necessary, and continue making Devon regret every choice he’s ever made.”
I smirked despite myself. “And in return?”
“You get power, freedom, and the satisfaction of watching your ex-husband grovel at your feet.”
I tapped my fingers against my knee. “And when you turn thirty?”
His smirk widened. “We’ll renegotiate.”
I let out a dry laugh. “You really do treat everything like a business deal, don’t you?”
“It’s worked for me so far.”
I couldn’t argue with that.
For a moment, we sat in silence, the tension between us shifting—no longer argumentative, but something else. Something almost… playful.
I set my cup down. “You know, you could have just told me this from the start.”
Campbell’s eyes glinted. “Where’s the fun in that?”
I shook my head. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet,” he mused, “you’re still sitting here.”
I exhaled sharply, standing. “Enjoy your tea, Nicholas.”
He watched me with an expression that almost looked like amusement. “I think I just might.”
As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
“Sienna.”
I glanced over my shoulder.
“You’re handling this well,” he said casually. “I expected… more resistance.”
I smiled faintly. “I’m just a fast learner.”
His smirk deepened. “Good.”
I left the lounge with an odd sense of satisfaction.
Campbell Nicholas might be a man who always won.
But so was I.
- Writer
