Married To My Father's Enemy

Chapter Seven: The Distance Between Us

The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of the mansion, but it did little to warm the chill in Aisha’s chest. She woke up to find Xavier gone again. No note. No message. Just silence — thick and heavy, like the walls themselves were closing in.

Aisha sighed, sitting up in the massive bed that no longer felt like hers. Each day in this house felt like a prison sentence. And the strange part was that sometimes, what hurt more than Xavier’s cruelty… was his absence.

She pushed off the sheets and made her way downstairs. The mansion, as always, was spotless and eerily quiet. The maids avoided her gaze, moving like shadows through the hallways. She was the wife of the master of the house — yet everyone treated her like a ghost.

As she stepped into the dining room, Mia, the housekeeper, appeared nervously at the doorway.

“Good morning, madam,” Mia greeted softly.

“Is he back?” Aisha asked without meaning to.

Mia shook her head. “Mr. Kane left for the city early this morning. He said he wouldn’t be returning until evening.”

Aisha bit her lip, her stomach twisting. She shouldn’t care. She didn’t want to care. And yet… she did.

“Thank you, Mia,” she said quietly.

Mia hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say something, but she thought better of it and left.

Aisha sat alone at the long, polished dining table. The untouched breakfast mocked her. She picked up a fork but quickly dropped it again, appetite gone.

---

Later That Day

The stillness was broken by the soft chime of the doorbell. It was rare for anyone to visit unannounced. Aisha frowned and made her way to the front door. She wasn’t prepared for the figure standing there.

A tall, elegant woman dressed in a designer suit, sunglasses perched atop her head, and a cold, practiced smile on her lips.

Aisha’s heart clenched. She didn’t know who the woman was — but the way she carried herself, like she owned the world — it reminded her so much of Xavier.

“Can I help you?” Aisha asked cautiously.

The woman removed her sunglasses, revealing sharp, steel-gray eyes.

“You must be Aisha,” she said smoothly. “I’m Eleanor Kane. Xavier’s mother.”

Aisha’s stomach dropped.

Of course.

She stepped aside reluctantly, allowing Eleanor to enter. The older woman moved through the house like she owned it, her heels clicking against the marble floors.

“I thought it was time we met properly,” Eleanor said, taking a seat in the lounge without waiting to be invited.

Aisha remained standing.

“I won’t pretend I approve of this… arrangement,” Eleanor continued. “I warned Xavier years ago to stay away from your kind.”

“My kind?” Aisha repeated, bristling.

“Ambitious girls,” Eleanor sneered. “Gold-diggers. Opportunists who latch onto powerful men for status and comfort.”

Aisha’s fists clenched at her sides. “I didn’t ask for this marriage.”

“But you accepted it,” Eleanor countered smoothly. “And now you’re here, living off my son’s wealth, enjoying privileges you didn’t earn.”

Aisha took a deep breath. “With all due respect, Mrs. Kane, I didn’t come here to fight with you. Whatever you think of me, I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Eleanor’s cold smile faded. “If you’re smart, you’ll walk away now, while you still can. Before Xavier destroys you.”

Aisha’s heart pounded, but she met the woman’s glare without flinching.

“I’m not afraid of your son,” she said quietly.

Eleanor rose gracefully, adjusting her sunglasses. “You should be, dear. Because unlike me… he won’t give you a warning.”

With that, she left, leaving Aisha standing alone, trembling but proud.

---

That Night

When Xavier finally returned, it was well past midnight. Aisha heard the sound of his car in the driveway but made no move to greet him.

She waited in her room, pretending to be asleep when he entered. She could feel his presence in the dark, hear the soft sigh he let out before undressing and slipping into bed beside her.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, to her shock, Xavier spoke.

“I met with the board today,” he said quietly.

Aisha didn’t move, but she was listening.

“They’re trying to force my hand. Zara’s been spreading lies. Threatening to take what’s mine.”

Aisha’s throat tightened. “And what do you expect me to do about it?”

He sighed. “Nothing. Just… stay close.”

Aisha rolled onto her side, facing away from him. “Funny. You seem to prefer being alone.”

She felt his hesitation, then his hand lightly brushed her arm. It was the first tender touch since their wedding night.

“I never wanted to drag you into this, Aisha.”

“Too late,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

The distance between them was both physical and emotional. But for the first time, Xavier’s touch lingered a little longer… as though he was afraid to let her go.