Emma woke to silence
Not the gentle kind that comes with peace
But the heavy kind that settles in your chest like a stone
The sheets were smooth
Untouched
The bed too perfect
Like no one had truly slept in it
She sat up slowly and looked around the unfamiliar room
Everything was pristine
Designed
Controlled
No photos
No warmth
No sign of life
She stood and crossed the floor barefoot
Each step was soft against the marble
But each breath felt heavy in her throat
She opened the door carefully
The hallway stretched ahead like a tunnel
Cold light spilled through tall windows
No sound
No staff
Just the emptiness of wealth
She found the kitchen by following the faint scent of coffee
But there was no one there
On the long marble counter sat a single note
Typed
Clean
No name
Business meeting
Don't wait for me
– D
That was it
No good morning
No welcome to your new life
Just instructions like a boss to a secretary
Emma stood there for a while
Just holding the note in her fingers
Then she opened the fridge and found it full
Expensive food
Bottled water
Things she never bought herself
But nothing that felt familiar
Nothing that felt like home
She made toast with shaky hands
Sat alone at the long empty table
And ate one bite at a time like her body might forget how to move if she stopped
After breakfast she wandered through the penthouse
Room after room of silent beauty
Polished floors
Artwork worth more than her entire childhood
Views of the city that looked like they belonged to someone else
When she found the study
She stopped at the door
Inside was a room of deep wood and leather
Books lined the walls in perfect order
The desk was spotless
But the fireplace had ashes
Recent
She stepped inside and ran her hand along the back of the chair
She imagined Damon sitting there
Alone
Always alone
And for a moment she wondered what he thought about when the world stopped watching him
She heard the elevator chime in the distance
Her breath caught
She stepped out of the study and down the hallway
Damon walked in
Perfect again
Suit sharp
Expression flat
He looked at her once
You're up early
She swallowed
It's past nine
He nodded once
Did you sleep
Barely
He didn't ask why
Didn't say he had too
He walked past her into the living room and began loosening his tie
There's a charity event tonight
We'll attend together
She blinked
Tonight
He looked at her again
Expression unreadable
You are my wife now
You'll be expected to act like it
She held her hands together tightly
I don't even know what I'm supposed to say at things like that
You don't have to say anything
You just have to stand beside me and smile
Like you did yesterday
There it was again
That reminder
That this was a role
A position
Not a relationship
He looked away
You'll be fitted for another dress
Something appropriate for the press
I have dresses
Not ones that match this life
The words hit her harder than they should have
He didn't mean them to hurt
But they did
She turned away before he could see her eyes
The afternoon passed slowly
The stylist arrived
Measured her again
Talked about designers she had never worn
Fabrics she couldn't pronounce
They gave her heels that pinched her feet
And lipstick that dried her lips
By the time evening came
She looked like someone else entirely
Damon walked into the room wearing a tailored black tuxedo
He said nothing at first
Just stared at her for a long moment
Then he offered his arm
She took it
Even though her hands trembled
The car ride was quiet
City lights flashed past the tinted windows
But inside the silence stretched
Emma finally spoke
What is this charity event for
Children's medical research
Her heart caught
That's good
He glanced at her
You'll be expected to speak with the sponsors
Be polite
But don't promise anything
She nodded
Understood
This wasn't about kindness
This was business wrapped in good intentions
When they stepped into the ballroom
Flashes exploded
Cameras
Reporters
Eyes
Damon leaned in slightly
Smile
She did
Just like he told her
The room was full of money and power
Every handshake felt like a deal
Every compliment a currency
Emma stayed close to Damon
She smiled
She nodded
She laughed at things she didn't understand
Then she saw her
A woman with red lips and knowing eyes
She walked up to Damon like she had done it a hundred times
Damon
The woman purred
Emma watched his jaw tighten slightly
Veronica
It's been too long
Not long enough
The woman looked at Emma then
And smiled a smile that wasn't kind
So
This is the new wife
Pretty
In a quiet way
Emma held her breath
Damon stepped slightly in front of her
We're leaving soon
Veronica raised an eyebrow
So soon
But I haven't even said hello properly
You've said enough
Then he turned
His hand found Emma's without warning
And for the first time
He held it
Firm
Protective
They left the ballroom minutes later
Emma didn't speak in the car
Neither did Damon
But his hand never let go of hers
And for one fleeting second
She wondered if the ice around his heart
Had cracked
Just a little