Ashley had barely stepped off the plane when she saw the men in suits lined up as if she were some sort of royalty. She glanced at them, studying their stance. Unlike the men who worked for her father, these men looked far more organized in their perfectly tailored, uniform suits.
"Miss," came a voice from her side.
She glanced at the guard who had traveled with her. He lowered his head slightly and motioned with his arm, signaling her to keep moving.
"Tch." She clicked her tongue. "Can I at least change?"
She was still practically in her wedding dress. She could've changed in the restroom, but she'd been too busy trying to process how she went from expecting a date with her lover… to getting married and flying across the globe to meet her husband for the first time.
Make that make sense.
"We do not have much time," the guard behind her said. "Please."
Ashley rolled her eyes and reluctantly moved forward, walking in a wedding dress like some kind of clown. By the time she reached the arrival area, she couldn't tell whether people were staring because of her dress or because of the large entourage escorting her.
Once she got into the car, she irritably pulled the veil off her head and tossed it aside. She glanced at the driver and the man in the passenger seat.
"Where is he?" she asked impatiently. "Your boss. Is he waiting for his beloved wife?"
As expected, they didn't answer.
Ashley instantly gave up, leaning against the window and staring outside.
What else do I know about this organization I just married into?
She tried to recall everything she knew, but there wasn't much. The information was general, impersonal. Nothing about the man himself.
To make it worse, Marshal sent me here alone.
If these two drove her somewhere else and killed her, no one would come to rescue her. No one would even care.
Lost in thought, she suddenly blurted out, "What's he like?"
This time, she caught the driver glancing at her through the rearview mirror. Ashley arched a brow and met his gaze, but he quickly looked away. Her face soured as she sighed.
"Whatever." She waved a dismissive hand. "If you're going to kill me, just make it quick. I'd prefer not to know."
The men in front couldn't help but glance at each other. Even the one in the front passenger row looked back at her briefly before exchanging a look with the driver.
Disbelief was clear in their eyes. This was their boss's wife?
She was… not what they expected.
Honestly, she felt like a defective product compared to what had been advertised.
Fortunately, she couldn't hear their thoughts.
*****
The drive was long enough for Ashley to eventually fall asleep. When she woke, the car was slowing down as massive gates opened for their convoy.
"Hmm?" She rubbed her eyes and sat up. "We're here already?"
When the vehicle stopped, a man approached and opened her door.
"Miss," he called, offering his hand.
Ashley looked at it and ignored it. She stepped out on her own, lifting her gaze to the massive mansion, the grand fountain before it, and the long, sweeping driveway.
Her attention shifted when an older butler approached her.
"Miss."
She turned and found a petite elderly man standing straight before her. A monocle rested over one eye, and his smile was warm and welcoming. His neatly trimmed hair made him appear younger than his age.
"Welcome to the manor," he said kindly. "My name is Nolan. If you need anything, I am at your service."
Ashley gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"It was a long journey. Why don't we go inside?" Nolan continued as he began walking, and she followed. "Since it's late, I'll lead you to your room first. Or would you prefer to eat? We've prepared the dishes we heard you liked—"
"What room?"
Nolan paused. "Your room, Miss."
"Like…" she cleared her throat, brows lifting. "My own?"
Nolan chuckled. "The Don's room is yours, Miss."
The moment he said that, her face instantly soured. Right then and there, she lost interest in everything.
"Okay!" she said brightly, nodding. Let's get this over with.
Once inside, Nolan suddenly slowed and turned to face her.
"But tonight, the master is not home. He's on a business trip," Nolan said with a smile. "So you'll be alone tonight, Miss. However, I'll inform him that you were looking for him—"
Nolan's words abruptly stopped when Ashley reached out and clasped his hand.
"Please." She smiled sweetly, like a proper lady of the house. "I know my husband is a busy man. For him to miss his own wedding… I'm sure it must be important."
Her smile widened. "If you tell him anything, please tell him to take as much time as he needs. No rush."
She wouldn't mind if they never met in this lifetime.
"I see." Nolan nodded with a polite smile.
As she withdrew her hand, she heard a small noise from the mezzanine.
Looking up, she saw a small child peeking, only to run away the moment she made eye contact.
"Huh?" She frowned. "Who's that?"
"That's…" Nolan exhaled as she looked back at him. "The Young Master."
Ashley blinked… and blinked again.
"That's the Don's son," Nolan clarified. "I believe that was disclosed during negotiations with the Di Carpios."
You think?!
All she could do was smile — even though internally, she was cursing her father to hell. She didn't even know she was getting married, and now she was apparently a mother too?
What was next? Early menopause?
"Are you alright, Miss?" Nolan asked gently.
"Yep." She nodded. "It's just that…"
She glanced upstairs. "It feels like someone pressed fast-forward on my life this morning."
"I see." Nolan chuckled. "This way, Miss."
"Hmm." She followed him upstairs. As they walked, the small boy peeked out again from the opposite hallway, watching her carefully.
When Ashley suddenly turned back, he quickly shut the door.
She paused, brow rising.
Oh, well.
Shrugging, she continued to the master bedroom.
The room was vast and minimalist — white, grey, and black tones. Clean lines. Cold elegance. The bed was enormous, easily large enough for ten people if they were efficient.
"That door leads to the bathroom," Nolan explained. "Inside, you'll find a connecting walk-in closet. We've prepared toiletries and a change of clothes. We'll arrange your belongings soon. For now, I hope you rest well."
"Thanks," Ashley replied.
Nolan bowed slightly and turned to leave.
"Wait, Nolan."
He stopped and looked back.
"About that kid."
"Yes?"
"What's he like?"
Nolan hesitated as sadness flickered in his eyes.
"The Young Master is… a good child. He simply doesn't speak."
"He's mute?"
"No." Nolan shook his head. "He chooses not to."
"Oh."
"But you need not worry. The master prefers that you settle in first."
Ashley nodded, watching Nolan leave.
"A child who chooses not to speak…" she murmured. She thought about it, but decided she didn't want to think too much about it.
Instead, she looked around the room. Its grandeur did nothing to comfort her.
"So this is my reality now," she muttered with a dry laugh.
She threw herself onto the bed, arms spread, feet dangling off the edge.
"One minute I'm free as a bird. Next, I'm trapped in a marriage." She covered her eyes with her arm. "What a life!"
*****
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the world, a man stood at a distance, watching an entire building burn to the ground. His presence was heavy and commanding, his eyes brooding.
"Boss," a man approached, holding out a phone. "Sir Gustav is on the line."
Lucian took the phone and pressed it to his ear.
"Gustav." His baritone voice was cold, harsh even.
"Sir, the Miss has arrived. Nolan has shown her to her room."
Lucian listened quietly.
"And she said to take your time," Gustav added. "Nolan told her you were on a business trip."
"Take my time?" Lucian repeated, a dark chuckle escaping him. "Gustav."
"Yes, sir?"
"What do you think of her? My wife?"
There was a moment of silence on the line before Gustav spoke again.
"I think she's a little different from expected," Gustav explained, and hearing nothing but silence, he added, "A little reckless."
The corners of Lucian's mouth curled into a devilish smirk. His eyes gleamed against the reflection of the flames.
"Is that so?" he hummed, lifting his gaze as the building collapsed in fire. "I'm coming home."
Gustav furrowed his brows. "Boss, aren't you supposed to stay in there for a while?"
"I've taken as much time as I needed."