CHAPTER 9
Kate couldn't sleep.
The black envelope sat beside her lamp, mocking her with silence. Her eyes kept going to it, again and again. Check the basement. That was all it said. But it had her heart racing like a drum.
By 2 a.m., she was out of bed. She was Barefoot. Wrapped in a robe. She stepped out quietly. The whole mansion was dark. Cold air hit her arms as she walked past the staircase and moved toward the east corridor.
She hesitated.
Then took the first step down.
Basement door was half shut. She pushed it slowly. It creaked.
She stepped in. The air was damp. She took the stairs, one at a time.
Halfway down, There were voices.
She froze.
"I warned you, Will. This is risky," a voice said. Deep and Firm.
"I know what I'm doing," William's voice replied.
Kate moved closer, hiding behind the stair rail.
"You think she won't find out?" the man asked.
"She won't," William said. "Not if everyone keeps their mouths shut."
"You're playing with fire. If this leaks—"
"I said I'll handle it."
The other man exhaled. "And if she does find out?"
There was a pause.
"She won't leave. She can't," William said coldly.
Kate's mouth dropped open.
"You're keeping something from her," the man said.
"She doesn't need to know," William replied.
"You married her. She deserves—"
"It's not about deserve."
Then William added, "She's in this because of her uncle. Not me. I'm just doing what needs to be done."
Kate stepped back. Her head was spinning.
What was he hiding?
Next morning, she sat at the breakfast table, staring into her tea. Her hands were cold. William walked in, straight, calm, as usual.
"You're quiet," he said.
"I didn't sleep much," she replied.
He looked at her. "Bad dreams?"
She nodded, but didn't speak more.
"You'll get used to the silence here," he said.
"I'm not sure I want to."
He didn't reply. He Just picked up the newspaper and sat.
She studied his face. It was Calm and Cold. Not a single crack was shown.
But last night, she heard it—he was hiding something big. Something that had to do with her.
She stood up. "I'm going for a walk."
He didn't look up. "Don't go past the gate."
She stopped. "Why?"
"Because I said so."
She stared at him.
"Control," she whispered.
"What?"
"That's all you care about."
He folded the paper slowly. "Don't test me, Kate."
She walked out.
Later that day, she found Grayson in the hallway. He was Alone.
"Grayson," she whispered.
He paused. "Ma'am?"
"I heard you and William last night."
His eyes widened. "You were in the basement?"
"Tell me the truth. What is he hiding from me?"
"I can't."
"You can."
He looked around. "It's not safe to talk here."
"Then take me somewhere."
He hesitated. Then nodded.
They met in the garden shed, away from the cameras.
Grayson kept his voice low. "He made a deal. A risky one."
"What kind of deal?"
"Before the wedding. With the government. With foreign investors. Your family company is just part of it."
Kate's breath caught. "So this isn't just marriage. It's a setup?"
"It's business, ma'am. He needed you."
Kate stepped back. "He used me."
Grayson didn't answer.
"Is it illegal?"
"No. But... if the truth comes out, it could destroy his empire."
Kate leaned against the wall. "So that's why he acts cold. That's why he controls everything."
"He's protecting something bigger. Something dangerous."
"And I'm just a piece."
Grayson looked at her. "You're more than that now. That's the problem."
"What do you mean?"
He didn't reply.
That night, William came to her room.
She didn't let him in fully. Just opened the door halfway.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I don't know."
He looked at her. "What did Grayson tell you?"
She didn't answer.
He sighed. "You were never meant to hear any of that."
"Then what was I meant for? Decoration? Cover? Shield?"
He looked away. "I didn't want this to be complicated."
"But it is. You made it that way."
He stepped closer. "Kate…"
"Don't," she said.
He paused. Then quietly said, "Just stay out of things that don't concern you."
She stared at him. "Then stop dragging me into them."
She slammed the door.
At midnight, she sat on her bed. Wide awake. Everything felt wrong. Every moment with William was twisted, controlled, and planned.
But this time, she wasn't going to be quiet.
He thought she couldn't leave. That she had no power,But he forgot one thing. She had nothing to lose.
Kate couldn't sleep again.
Everything was spinning in her head. William's secrets. Grayson's warnings. Her own heart. They were all spinning and twirling like a tornado.
She sat by the window, staring into the night, hugging her knees.
A soft knock, She turned.
The door opened slowly. William stood there. No suit. Just a plain shirt and trousers. He was Barefooted.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I saw the light on," he said.
"So?"
"You didn't come down for dinner."
"I wasn't hungry."
He nodded.
"You can go," she added.
He stepped inside instead.
She frowned. "I said you can go."
"I know what you said."
He walked to the window. Looked out.
"I used to hate nights," he said.
She looked at him, confused.
"My father used to shout at night. Break things. Scare my mother. I used to hide in closets."
Kate didn't speak.
"Now I work all day. But at night, I can't sleep."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
She stood. "William, what is this?"
He turned. "I don't want to lie to you."
"You already did."
"I had to."
She folded her arms. "Did you ever feel anything for me? Even a little?"
He looked at her. "I didn't plan to."
She stepped closer. "But?"
He looked away. "But you make it hard not to."
She blinked fast. Her chest rising in a rhythmic vibe.
"You confuse me," she whispered.
"You scare me," he said.
They were inches apart now. Breathing heavy. The air felt too thick.
He reached out slowly, Touched her hair and picked Just one strand of her hair.
"I shouldn't," he said.
"But you are," she whispered.
Their eyes met, making something unspoken spark between them. He leaned in,Her heart pounded.
Then— He pulled back.
"I can't," he said.
She stepped back. "Of course."
He turned away. "Goodnight, Kate."
"Goodnight, William."
He paused at the door. "One day... maybe."
And then he was gone.
She stood still. Shaking like a twig leaf.
Her hand touched her lips. He hadn't kissed her. But it felt like he had.