Valentina pov.
“You will be staying in the Master’s room from now on.”
My jaw nearly hit the floor at Martha’s words.
Did she just say that? No, it couldn’t be. Alexander was letting me sleep in his room… but why?
I shifted uncomfortably on the edge of the bed, swallowing hard as the maids worked swiftly, combing through my hair. My mind was spinning, drowning in unanswered questions.
I had just taken a bath-alone, despite Martha’s offer to help. The thought of her seeing my body right now was too mortifying. At first, I didn’t think much of it when she told me to use Alexander’s bathroom, assuming she simply didn’t want the hassle of walking back to my room while I looked like this.
But then, the real shock came. What I thought was just a maid bringing me fresh clothes turned into something entirely different. One by one, they carried in my entire wardrobe, unpacking my things as if this were now my permanent space.
Confused, I had asked Martha why.
And that was her answer.
What the hell?
“It is the master’s order for you to stay here. According to him, since you are both husband and wife, you should share the same room,” Martha said.
The corner of my mouth twitched at her words.
Wait a minute. When I had suggested this before, everyone had come up with one excuse or another to stop me from staying in Alexander’s room. And now, suddenly, I was supposed to stay here?
A shiver ran down my spine as last night’s events replayed in my mind.
Alexander’s words echoed, sending a fresh wave of unease through me.
“I’ve held back because I knew the moment I lost control, I wouldn’t stop-not until you were completely mine. But remember this… whatever happens tonight, you started it. And you just might regret it tomorrow.”
Shit. What had I gotten myself into?
It wasn’t that I regretted what happened between Alexander and me last night-if I was being honest-but everything was moving way too fast. One moment, he hated me, and the next, he suddenly wanted me to start staying in his room.
And let’s be real-I had a talent for getting under that man’s skin. What if, one day, I pushed him too far, and in a fit of anger, he just grabbed his gun and shot me?
Alexander was dangerous. I had wanted to sleep with him before I fully grasped the extent of that danger-before I realized he killed without remorse. And, well… I happen to value my life.
“Haha, Martha, I don’t think I’m ready to start staying in Alexander’s room just yet. I think you’re right-I should fully recover first. So, how about you tell the maids to take my things back?” I said with the sweetest voice I could muster, flashing her a hopeful smile.
Martha, however, remained unimpressed. She simply gave me a deadpan look before bowing slightly. “I’m sorry, madam, but it is the master’s order. You may speak to him about it, but I cannot disobey.”
I sighed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes or run my fingers through my hair in frustration. The last thing I wanted was to face Alexander, especially after what happened last night. For some strange reason, it felt like one of those awkward moments where you sleep with a complete stranger and have no idea how to act the next day. But I could handle it. I would simply tell him that I didn’t want to stay in the room with him.
“Alright then,” I exhaled, straightening my shoulders with a serious expression. “Where is he? I’ll go talk to him myself.”
“He’s at the dining table,” she answered smoothly.
Heh, Alexander was still human. If I didn’t want something, he couldn’t force it on me.
I suddenly stood up from the bed, startling the maid who had been fixing my hair. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my dress slightly, straightened my posture, and put on a brave smile before walking out of the room. Behind me, I could hear Martha let out a dramatic sigh before hurrying after me.
“Are you really going to allow her to go? Alexander, don’t you think you’re crossing the line too much?” I heard Daniel’s voice just as I reached the staircase.
I paused, my gaze drifting downward to the dining room. Alexander sat at the head of the table, his posture straight, his sharp eyes fixed on the envelope in his hand, tilting it slightly as if studying it. Beside him, Daniel stood tense, his glare directed at Alexander, though it was hard to tell if it had any effect. If it did, Alexander certainly didn’t show it.
Next to Daniel, Felix sat with his arms stubbornly crossed, his small face twisted in a scowl as he refused to touch his food, behind him stood Sebastian who looked at the scene with a nervous frown, his hand pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose. My eyes moved to the floor, where Jayden knelt with a bored expression, his gaze darting around, clearly searching for something-anything-to entertain him.
And then his eyes landed on me.
“Sister-in-law!” Jayden yelled, his eyes widening in relief the moment he spotted me.
I flinched at his sudden outburst, my hand instinctively clutching my chest as I shot him a glare. But before I could say anything, I became painfully aware of all the eyes now fixed on me-one gaze in particular making me freeze in place.
As if pulled by an invisible force, my eyes shifted on their own, and the moment they met Alexander’s, my breath caught in my throat. His stare was intense, piercing, stripping me of all the confidence I had just moments ago.
“Madam, I thought you were going to speak with Master. He’s right there-you should go.”
Martha’s voice from behind me made me blink, snapping me out of my daze. I turned to look at her, only to catch the subtle smile she tried to hide as she gestured toward the dining hall.
Damn it. Now that I was standing before Alexander, every memory of what happened yesterday came rushing back, hitting me all at once and making my body react all over again.
I hissed under my breath and turned around, ready to leave for my room, but Jayden’s voice suddenly rang out.
“Sister-in-law, wait! I need you to talk to Uncle for me-he’s mad about yesterday!”
I ignored him. Who the hell cared? He deserved whatever was coming to him for what happened.
Just as I was about to bolt upstairs, a cold voice froze me in place, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Come and sit.”
Alexander’s command was sharp and I whipped my head toward him so fast it was a miracle my neck didn’t snap.
He had set the envelope he was holding down, now waiting for me to obey. I didn’t want to, but I had no choice-that much I knew.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, I took a deep breath and descended the stairs, my steps hesitant, my heart pounding against my ribs.
There was an empty seat beside him and another beside Felix. Without hesitation, I chose the one next to Felix. Almost immediately, his pout vanished, replaced by a bright smile as he lifted his head to look at me.
I returned his smile, but before I could say a word, Alexander tossed the envelope onto the table in front of me.
I raised a brow, but he said nothing, expecting me to open it.
“Alexander, you bastard,” Daniel cursed as I picked up the envelope and pulled out its contents.
To my surprise, it was an engagement ceremony invitation.
“An engagement ceremony…” I muttered under my breath, but my body stiffened the moment my eyes landed on the names of the couple.
Especially the bride’s name.
Jessica Vance.