Chapter4
1109 Words
Sienna’s first morning as Alex Harrington’s wife felt strange.
It wasn’t because the bed was uncomfortable.
It wasn’t because the penthouse was too big.
But because, for the first time in her life, she woke up and realized that someone with whom she shared no blood ties was now living under the same roof as her.
Alex Harrington, who was now her husband.
Even if only on paper.
Sienna stared at the ring on her finger for a few seconds before finally getting out of bed.
She still wasn’t used to it.
Yesterday, she was just Sienna Anindya, an ordinary woman.
Today, her name was officially listed as the wife of the CEO of Harrington Holding.
It was all happening too fast.
Sienna got out of bed. Then she made her way to the kitchen. Without being told, the girl with her hair pulled back in a ponytail opened the fridge. She looked inside. Her hand reached in to grab a few slices of bread and some jam. This morning, she planned to make toast for breakfast.
Hearing activity in the kitchen piqued Alex’s curiosity. He immediately walked over there. Sienna hadn’t realized Alex was watching her.
“Who gave you permission to mess up my kitchen?”
Sienna jumped in surprise. When she turned around, she saw Alex standing there with her hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry… I just wanted to make breakfast. That’s all.”
Sienna bit her lower lip.
“Don’t do that again.”
“Okay.”
Sienna looked down, not daring to meet the man’s gaze.
“Maybe we should have breakfast first. I’ve already made two pieces of toast,” Sienna added softly, afraid her employer would get upset again.
“No need. You eat on your own.”
After that, Alex went back to his room.
**
After breakfast, Alex handed her some documents.
“Here’s the apartment access card. Here’s the account for household expenses.”
Sienna looked at the black card placed on the table.
“I don’t need this.”
Sienna looked at him.
“Those are perks that come with being Mrs. Harrington.”
Sienna pushed it back toward him.
“But I don’t need them.”
“You’re my wife.” The words just slipped out.
They both fell silent. Because they both knew it was all legally true.
Alex took a breath.
“At least use it for expenses related to our public life.”
Sienna thought for a moment. Then she took the card.
“All right.”
Alex nodded. Only then did he realize one thing. She was different from other women—who usually saw all those perks as opportunities.
That afternoon, Sienna went to the hospital.
Her mother’s surgery was scheduled for that day.
She sat in the waiting room, her hands clenched tightly.
A few hours later, the doctor came out.
“Miss Sienna.”
Sienna immediately stood up.
“How is my mother?”
The doctor smiled.
“The surgery went smoothly.”
Sienna breathed a sigh of relief. Finally…
Tears fell uncontrollably.
“Thank you, Doc.”
She called Alex. She didn’t know what had moved her. Sienna just wanted to thank him.
“How’s your mom?”
That was the question Sienna heard when she answered the phone.
Sienna fell silent.
“You know?”
“I got a report from the hospital.”
Of course.
Alex always knew so much.
But this time, Sienna didn’t feel bothered.
“Everything went smoothly. Thanks to you.”
There was a brief silence.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“Still.”
Alex didn’t answer.
But this time, Sienna wasn’t bothered.
“Everything went smoothly. Thanks to you.”
There was a brief silence.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“Still.”
Alex didn’t reply.
But before the call ended, Sienna heard Alex’s voice.
“Take care of yourself.”
A simple sentence.
But it made Sienna fall silent, taking it in deeply.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Our contract has only just begun.”
Sienna let out a long sigh. Once again, her employer was emphasizing their status. What else could she possibly expect from him?
**
Sienna returned to the penthouse.
She found a small box on the table.
“What’s this?”
Alex, who was working in the living room, answered without looking up.
“From Clara.”
Sienna paused.
“Your mom?”
“Yes.”
She opened the box.
A simple yet expensive-looking necklace.
There was a small card inside.
‘To Sienna. Welcome to the Harrington family. I hope you feel at home with us. — Clara’
Sienna read the message.
“She’s so kind.”
Alex finally looked up.
“Who?”
“Clara’s mom.”
Alex’s expression didn’t change.
“She really knows how to win people over.”
Sienna looked at him.
“You don’t like her.”
Alex was silent.
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you didn’t deny it either.”
A few seconds passed.
*Then Alex said, “Clara is an unpredictable woman.”
But Sienna could sense that there was something she didn’t know.
The night was growing late.
Sienna stood on the penthouse balcony. The city looked beautiful from up high. But her mind was still full of questions. Alex was an unpredictable man.
Cold, and unpredictable.
Distant, yet always observant.
She married him for the sake of a child.
Alex wasn’t the man she’d imagined. He was a man full of mystery.
And without them realizing it… Slowly, the agreement they’d made began to change.
A change taking place between two people who’d hurt each other.
**
At Harrington Mansion, Clara sat in her private room.
Erick stood by the window.
“Did she receive the gift?”
“Yes.”
“How did she react?”
Clara smiled slightly.
“She liked it.”
Erick nodded.
“Then?”
Clara gazed at the Harrington family photo displayed on the table.
“She’s no ordinary woman.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.”
Clara gently touched the photo frame.
“It actually makes her more interesting.”
Erick waited.
“People with principles are usually easier to predict.”
Clara smiled.
“Because they always believe they’re doing the right thing.”
Erick fell silent.
Clara picked up a cup of t
ea.
“Let her enjoy her role.”
“And after that?”
Clara looked out the window.
“After that, we’ll move on to the next part of the plan.”
- Writer
