The Last Name He Stole

RULES OF THE MARRIAGE

Maya didn't sleep.

The words painted on the garden wall haunted her long after the security team had scrubbed them away.

THE REAL ADRIAN KINGSTON IS COMING HOME.

Whoever had written them wanted one thing—to make everyone in the mansion afraid.

And judging by Adrian's reaction...

...they had succeeded.

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, but they brought Maya little comfort.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the diamond ring on her finger.

Just forty-eight hours ago, it had symbolized a business arrangement.

Now it felt like evidence.

A knock came at her door.

"Mrs. Kingston?" James' calm voice echoed through the room. "Mr. Kingston would like you to join him for breakfast."

"I'm coming."

The dining room was unusually quiet.

Adrian sat alone at one end of the table, already dressed in a charcoal suit. A steaming cup of black coffee rested beside him, untouched.

He looked as though he hadn't slept either.

As Maya entered, he stood and pulled out a chair for her.

"Good morning."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Is it?"

A faint smile crossed his face.

"I suppose not."

Breakfast was served in silence.

Fresh fruit.

Toast.

Eggs.

Coffee.

Neither of them seemed interested in eating.

Finally, Adrian set down his fork.

"We need to talk."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

He folded his hands on the table.

"Last night should never have happened."

"You mean the break-in?"

"Yes."

"And the message?"

His jaw tightened.

"That too."

Maya leaned forward.

"Then tell me the truth."

"I can't."

"Can't... or won't?"

He held her gaze.

"There are things you don't know because knowing them would put you in danger."

She let out a humorless laugh.

"I'm already in danger."

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Then Adrian reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and placed a thin blue folder on the table.

"What is this?"

"Our marriage agreement."

"I've already signed it."

"This is an updated version."

She frowned.

"Updated?"

"I've added a few rules."

Maya opened the folder.

The first page read:

SUPPLEMENTARY TERMS OF THE KINGSTON MARRIAGE AGREEMENT

She looked up.

"You're serious?"

"Very."

She continued reading.

Rule One: Never leave the estate without informing me or my security team.

Rule Two: Do not speak to the media without my approval.

Rule Three: Never enter the west wing of the mansion.

She paused.

"The west wing?"

"It remains locked."

"Why?"

"I won't discuss it."

She continued.

Rule Four: If anyone asks questions about our marriage, answer as though it is genuine.

She looked at him again.

"So we're acting."

"We agreed to that from the beginning."

"Did we?"

He nodded.

"The public must believe this marriage is real."

She closed the folder.

"And if I refuse these new rules?"

"You won't."

His confidence irritated her.

"You seem very sure of yourself."

"I'm trying to keep you alive."

The words hung between them.

This time...

She believed him.

After breakfast, Adrian insisted on giving Maya a tour of the estate

.

"You've seen very little."

"I've seen enough to know this place has too many secrets."

He ignored the comment.

The mansion seemed even larger in daylight.

They passed a private library filled with leather-bound books.

An indoor swimming pool.

A ballroom that hadn't been used in years.

A conservatory overflowing with exotic flowers.

Everything was immaculate.

Yet Maya noticed one thing.

There were security cameras everywhere.

Every hallway.

Every staircase.

Every entrance.

"Do you always live like this?"

Adrian followed her gaze.

"Like what?"

"Like someone is always watching."

He answered without hesitation.

"Someone usually is."

As they reached the east garden, laughter drifted through the air.

Claire stood beside a marble fountain, speaking with two elegantly dressed women.

The moment she noticed Maya, her smile disappeared.

"Well."

She folded her arms.

"The new Mrs. Kingston."

Maya smiled politely.

"Good morning."

Claire looked her up and down.

"I expected diamonds."

"I'm comfortable without them."

"Of course you are."

The two women beside Claire exchanged amused glances.

Claire stepped closer.

"You must be overwhelmed."

"A little."

"I can imagine."

She lowered her voice.

"This family eats outsiders alive."

Before Maya could reply, Adrian appeared beside her.

"Claire."

His voice was cold.

"What did I say about bothering my wife?"

Claire smiled sweetly.

"I was welcoming her."

"I heard enough."

For a brief moment, Maya thought they might argue.

Instead, Claire leaned closer to Maya and whispered,

"Don't trust everything he tells you."

Then she walked away.

Maya watched her leave.

"Does everyone in your family enjoy speaking in riddles?"

Adrian sighed.

"You'll get used to it."

"I don't want to get used to it."

That afternoon, Maya decided to unpack the last of her belongings.

Most of the boxes contained books, family photographs, and teaching supplies.

Near the bottom of one box lay a framed picture of her mother.

She picked it up gently.

"I did it, Mom," she whispered.

"I saved the center."

A tear escaped before she could stop it.

A soft knock interrupted her.

She quickly wiped her eyes.

"Come in."

To her surprise, it wasn't James.

It was Evelyn.

The elderly woman smiled kindly.

"I thought you might need company."

Maya returned the smile.

"I think I do."

Evelyn's eyes landed on the photograph.

"Your mother?"

"Yes."

"You resemble her."

"I've been told."

Evelyn hesitated.

Then she asked quietly,

"Has anyone told you why the Kingston family chose you?"

Maya frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"There were many women Adrian could have married."

"He said he wanted someone outside his world."

Evelyn looked away.

"Did he?"

Something in her voice unsettled Maya.

Before Maya could ask another question, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Evelyn's expression changed instantly.

"I shouldn't have come."

She hurried toward the door.

As she reached it, she whispered over her shoulder,

"Whatever happens..."

"...don't let them separate you from the truth."

Then she was gone.

Maya stood frozen.

One warning after another.

One secret after another.

And not a single answer.

That evening, as the sun disappeared behind the mansion, Maya walked onto her balcony.

A cool breeze swept through the gardens.

Everything looked peaceful.

Until she noticed a figure standing near the iron gates.

A man.

Tall.

Dressed entirely in black.

He wasn't moving.

He was simply...

Watching the mansion.

Watching her.

Their eyes met.

Slowly, the stranger lifted one hand.

Not to wave.

To point.

Directly...

At Adrian's bedroom window.

Then, without a sound, he disappeared into the darkness.

Maya's heartbeat thundered in her chest.

She rushed back inside.

By the time she reached the hallway, she heard the mansion's alarm system blaring.

Someone had entered the estate.