The carriage ride back to the estate was silent. Lina sat beside Damian, her emerald gown shimmering faintly in the moonlight that filtered through the window. Her gloved hands rested on her lap, her fingers tapping idly against one another as she stole glances at him.
Damian, however, sat stiffly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but his mind was anything but calm.
Aurora.
He had seen her if only for a fleeting moment. That brief glimpse had set his entire world spinning. How was she there? Why? And who had brought her?
“Damian,” Lina’s voice broke through his thoughts, sweet and measured, like a woman who knew her power.
He didn’t respond, his eyes still on the window.
“Damian,” she repeated, her tone firmer now. “You’ve been quiet all night. What’s wrong?”
Finally, he turned his head, meeting her gaze with cold, detached eyes. “Nothing,” he said shortly.
She tilted her head, her lips curving into a small smile. “Nothing? On our wedding night? Surely that can’t be true.”
“I’m tired,” he said, his voice flat. “It’s been a long day.”
“Hmm.” Lina studied him for a moment, her smile unwavering. “You’ve been distant all evening. Even during the ceremony. I hope you’re not already regretting this arrangement.”
Damian’s lips tightened, but he said nothing.
Lina chuckled softly, leaning closer to him. “I’ve worked too hard for this, Damian. Don’t think I’ll let you pull away now.”
Her words grated on his nerves, but he kept his expression neutral. “I’m not pulling away,” he said calmly. “I told you-I’m tired.”
The Bride’s Persistence
When they arrived at the estate, Damian stepped out of the carriage first, extending a hand to Lina out of obligation rather than affection. She took it gracefully, her smile never faltering as they walked into the grand mansion.
The staff greeted them with polite bows, offering quiet congratulations as the newlyweds passed through the main hall.
“Prepare the master bedroom,” Lina instructed one of the maids, her voice firm but sweet.
The maid nodded quickly and hurried off, leaving Damian and Lina alone in the dimly lit hallway.
Lina turned to Damian, her emerald eyes gleaming in the soft light. “Well, husband,” she said, her tone playful. “Shall we retire for the evening?”
Damian looked at her, his expression unreadable. “You go ahead,” he said. “I need a moment.”
Lina raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her gaze. “A moment? For what?”
“To think,” he replied shortly.
She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against his arm. “Think about what? We’re married now, Damian. This is supposed to be the happiest night of our lives.”
Damian’s gaze hardened, and he gently removed her hand from his arm. “Just go to the room, Lina,” he said, his voice low but firm.
For a moment, she hesitated, her smile faltering. Then she laughed softly, shaking her head. “Fine,” she said. “But don’t keep me waiting too long.”
She turned and walked toward the bedroom, her steps confident despite the tension in the air.
Tension in the Bedroom
When Damian entered the bedroom, Lina was waiting for him. She had changed out of her wedding gown and now wore a delicate silk robe, the emerald fabric shimmering faintly in the candlelight.
“Finally,” she said, her voice teasing. “I was beginning to think you’d fallen asleep in the hall.”
Damian said nothing, his expression cold as he closed the door behind him.
Lina approached him slowly, her bare feet gliding silently across the plush carpet. “You’ve been so tense all night,” she murmured, placing a hand on his chest. “Let me help you relax.”
He stiffened at her touch, his jaw tightening. “Don’t,” he said flatly.
Lina’s hand froze, her smile faltering. “Don’t?” she repeated, her tone incredulous.
“I’m not in the mood,” he said, stepping away from her.
Lina stared at him, a mixture of confusion and frustration flickering in her eyes. “Not in the mood?” she repeated. “Damian, this is our wedding night. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound right now?”
“I don’t care how it sounds,” he said coldly. “I told you I’m tired.”
Her frustration bubbled over, and she crossed her arms, her expression sharp. “Tired? Or distracted?” she asked. “You’ve been acting strange ever since the party. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing is going on,” Damian said, his voice icy.
“Don’t lie to me,” Lina snapped, her tone rising. “I know you, Damian. Something happened tonight. What was it? What’s bothering you?”
Damian’s gaze darkened, and he stepped closer to her, his towering presence making her pause. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do,” he said quietly, his voice dripping with menace.
Lina’s breath hitched, but she refused to back down. “I know enough,” she said, her voice steadier now. “And I know you’re hiding something.”
“Drop it,” Damian said sharply.
“Or what?” she challenged, her eyes narrowing. “You’ll sulk in silence like a child? We’re married now, Damian. You can’t just shut me out whenever you feel like it.”
“I can do whatever I want,” he said coldly.
The words hung in the air like a slap, and Lina’s lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension crackling like a storm waiting to break.
A Fractured Bond
Finally, Lina took a step back, her expression hardening. “Fine,” she said, her voice icy. “If you want to sulk, go ahead. But don’t think I’ll sit here and play the obedient little wife while you brood in the corner.”
Damian’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “Good,” he said. “Because I wouldn’t want you to waste your time pretending to be something you’re not.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she took a sharp breath. “You’re a bastard, Damian,” she said, her voice trembling with anger.
“And you’re a liar,” he shot back.
Lina’s hand twitched, as if she wanted to slap him, but she held herself back. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked to the bed, sitting down on the edge with her arms crossed.
“You’ll regret this,” she said softly, her tone laced with warning.
“Perhaps,” Damian said, his voice calm. “But not tonight.”
Alone with His Thoughts
After a long, tense silence, Damian left the room, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hall. He made his way to his study, pouring himself a glass of whiskey and sinking into the leather chair by the fireplace.
The flames danced in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across his face. He took a slow sip of the whiskey, the burn in his throat grounding him.
Aurora’s face haunted his thoughts, the image of her fragile figure burned into his mind.
“Where are you?” he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.
The glass in his hand trembled slightly, and he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to steady it. He had to find her.
But for now, he was trapped.
And Lina… Lina would learn soon enough that this marriage wasn’t a victory.
It was the beginning of her downfall.