James' POV

Marriage.

A useless contract.

That was all it was.

The grand cathedral was packed with politicians, billionaires, and mafia families from across Europe. Every guest kept their head lowered whenever I walked past.

Fear.

Exactly how it should be.

I adjusted the cuff of my black suit, expression unreadable. My men stood around the church like statues, armed beneath their jackets.

"This alliance is necessary, Boss."

I ignored Marco.

Necessary.

I hated that word.

I didn't need a wife.

I didn't need love.

I only needed power.

Then...

The church doors opened.

Every conversation died.

She stepped inside.

Kate Kim.

White mermaid gown wrapped around her body like it had been designed only for her. Silver embroidery shimmered under the sunlight, and the long train followed behind her gracefully.

Beautiful.

...

That was the first and last compliment I would ever give.

She walked with confidence.

No fear.

Not even when every mafia boss in the room stared at her.

Interesting.

I'd spent weeks reading her investigation file.

Age: 26.

Daughter of billionaires.

Refused director position for three years.

Speaks ten languages.

IQ above average.

Sleeps barely three hours because of chronic insomnia.

No scandals.

No weakness...

Except caring too much about earning everything herself.

She stopped beside me.

Didn't even look at me.

Good.

I didn't want her to.

The priest spoke.

Our families watched.

The vows meant nothing.

When it was time...

"I do."

My voice was cold.

Short.

She answered a second later.

"I do."

Same tone.

No emotion.

Good.

This marriage would stay professional.

Nothing more.

---

Kate's POV

What a wonderful day...

To ruin my life.

The dress felt heavy.

Not because of its weight.

Because every crystal stitched into it reminded me I wasn't here by choice.

Mother smiled proudly.

Father looked relieved.

Business first.

Daughter second.

Nothing new.

I looked toward the man waiting at the altar.

James Wang.

Twenty-eight.

Italy's most feared mafia boss.

Cold.

Cruel.

Responsible for more deaths than newspapers would ever print.

People called him a monster.

Looking at him now...

I understood why.

Black suit.

Perfect posture.

Sharp jawline.

Dark eyes without warmth.

Like he wasn't marrying someone.

Like he was signing another business contract.

Fine.

I wasn't interested either.

When I stood beside him, I felt his presence immediately.

Cold.

Silent.

Heavy.

The priest talked for what felt like forever.

Neither of us listened.

When he finally said, "You may kiss the bride."

James looked at me.

No affection.

No hesitation.

He leaned forward.

A light kiss.

Barely lasting a second.

Only because tradition demanded it.

The guests applauded.

I wanted to laugh.

How ironic.

Everyone celebrated.

Only the bride and groom looked like they were attending a funeral.

---

James' POV

The reception was loud.

I hated noise.

Politicians wanted photographs.

Businessmen wanted partnerships.

Mafia leaders wanted my attention.

I gave none.

Across the ballroom...

Kate stood alone.

Holding a glass of water.

Not wine.

She politely rejected every man and woman trying to speak with her before returning to silence.

She wasn't pretending.

She genuinely preferred being alone.

Strange woman.

Marco walked beside me.

"Boss... should I tell Madam to stand beside you for the family photo?"

I looked at her.

She looked back.

Neither of us moved.

"...Tell her."

Marco nodded nervously.

A minute later...

She stood beside me.

Exactly one step away.

Maintaining distance.

Smart.

The photographer smiled awkwardly.

"Sir... perhaps... hold your wife's hand?"

I turned slowly.

The entire room became silent.

The photographer immediately regretted speaking.

Kate sighed quietly.

Then...

Without looking at me...

She extended her hand.

"I don't like repeating things," she said calmly. "Let's finish the photographs."

...

I stared at her hand for a second before taking it.

Warm.

Steady.

Not shaking.

Everyone else feared me.

My wife didn't.

For the first time...

Kate Kim became someone I wanted to understand.

James' POV

The reception lasted another two hours.

Pointless conversations.

Forced smiles.

Business disguised as celebration.

I hated every second.

I walked toward the exit without saying a word.

The hall immediately became silent.

Kate followed behind me, maintaining a respectable distance.

Good.

Neither of us wanted to pretend.

Outside...

A black armored Rolls-Royce waited.

I opened the rear door.

Not for romance.

Because the bodyguards expected it.

She looked at me for a second.

"...Thanks."

I didn't answer.

She got inside.

I sat opposite her.

The convoy started moving toward my estate.

Silence filled the car.

My phone rang.

Marco.

I answered.

"What?"

"Boss... the Rossi family attacked one of our warehouses."

"Losses?"

"Three men."

I looked out the window.

"Handle it."

"They're asking for your orders."

"Leave no one alive."

"...Understood."

The call ended.

I looked across the car.

Kate hadn't reacted.

No fear.

No questions.

She simply continued looking outside as if she hadn't heard a death sentence.

Interesting.

---

Kate's POV

So...

He really was everything people said.

Cold.

One sentence.

Three people died.

Another family would disappear tonight.

And he spoke about it like discussing tomorrow's weather.

I folded my hands on my lap.

There was no point arguing.

I couldn't change him.

The city lights disappeared as the car entered a private mountain road.

Ten minutes later...

Massive black gates slowly opened.

Beyond them stood a mansion that looked more like a fortress.

Armed guards.

Snipers on rooftops.

Security cameras everywhere.

"Welcome home, Boss."

Everyone bowed the moment James stepped out.

No one dared look directly into his eyes.

I stepped out after him.

Every servant lowered their heads.

"Good evening, Madam."

Madam.

The title felt strange.

James kept walking without waiting for me.

Typical.

---

James' POV

Inside the mansion...

"Boss."

The head butler approached.

"Your room is ready."

"Our rooms."

He blinked.

"...Excuse me, Boss?"

"Separate."

No explanation.

No discussion.

The butler immediately nodded.

"Yes, Boss."

Kate finally spoke.

"I prefer separate rooms too."

Good.

At least we agreed on something.

The butler led her upstairs.

I headed toward my office.

Before entering, I stopped.

"Marco."

"Boss."

"Double the security around her."

He looked confused.

"...You think someone will target Madam?"

"They'll target my wife."

"...Yes, Boss."

I entered my office and closed the door.

Protection wasn't kindness.

She carried my surname now.

If someone touched her...

They challenged me.

Nothing more.

---

Kate's POV

The bedroom was larger than my parents' living room.

Everything was elegant.

Cold.

Like its owner.

A maid carefully placed my suitcase inside.

"If Madam needs anything, just press this bell."

"Thank you."

She smiled nervously before leaving.

The room became quiet.

Too quiet.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

My fingers brushed over the novel lying in my handbag.

Reading usually helped.

Not tonight.

The silence reminded me of another sleepless night.

Insomnia.

I changed into comfortable clothes and looked at the clock.

1:47 AM.

No sleep.

As expected.

I walked onto the balcony.

The night air was cool.

Far below, I noticed movement.

James.

He stood alone in the garden, speaking to no one, cigarette between his fingers as several guards waited at a distance.

He looked... tired.

Not weak.

Just... exhausted.

For a brief moment, he looked up.

Our eyes met across the darkness.

Neither of us smiled.

Neither of us looked away immediately.

Then he crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe, turned around, and disappeared back into the mansion.

Without a single word.

James' POV

6:00 AM.

I hadn't slept.

Nothing unusual.

The reports on my desk kept growing.

Weapons.

Shipments.

Territories.

Names.

Traitors.

Another knock echoed through my office.

"Come."

Marco entered.

"Boss... breakfast is ready."

"I'll eat later."

He hesitated.

"...Madam is already downstairs."

I looked up.

"She woke up?"

"The maids said... she never slept."

...

So the report was correct.

Severe insomnia.

I closed the file.

"I'll be there."

---

Kate's POV

The dining table was ridiculously long.

Big enough for thirty people.

Only one seat was occupied.

Mine.

A maid placed breakfast in front of me.

Fresh fruit.

Toast.

Coffee.

I smiled politely.

"Thank you."

Before I could take a bite...

Heavy footsteps echoed through the room.

James.

Every servant immediately straightened.

"Boss."

He ignored them and sat at the opposite end of the table.

At least fifteen chairs separated us.

Comfortable.

A servant poured coffee.

James took one sip before speaking.

"You didn't sleep."

I looked at him.

"You investigated me."

"I asked a question."

"I answered it."

Silence.

He continued eating.

So did I.

The room was quiet except for the sound of cutlery.

After a minute...

He spoke again.

"Doctor."

I frowned.

"What?"

"You'll see one."

"No."

It came out immediately.

His eyes narrowed.

"It wasn't a request."

"It wasn't my agreement either."

Another silence.

The servants looked terrified.

I placed my cup down carefully.

"I've had insomnia for years. I manage it myself."

"You call this managing?"

"I still work."

"You don't sleep."

"I survive."

Our eyes locked.

Neither of us looked away.

Finally...

He stood.

"You're stubborn."

I gave a small nod.

"So are you."

Without another word, he left the dining room.

---

James' POV

She argued with me.

Calmly.

No shouting.

No fear.

Just facts.

Most people trembled when I raised my voice.

Kate simply answered back.

Annoying.

...

Interesting.

Marco caught up with me.

"Boss... today's schedule."

"Speak."

"Meeting with the Romano family."

"Cancel."

"They'll be offended."

"I don't care."

"And..."

He hesitated.

"Madam asked if there was a library in the mansion."

I stopped walking.

"A library?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She finished the novel she brought."

...

She had been here less than twelve hours.

She was already looking for books.

I almost scoffed.

"Take her."

"Personally?"

"No."

He looked relieved.

"But..."

"If anyone disturbs her..."

I looked at him coldly.

"...they answer to me."

"Understood, Boss."

---

Kate's POV

The library stole my breath.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves.

Rolling ladders.

Thousands of books.

Classics.

History.

Psychology.

Business.

Philosophy.

Even rare first editions.

I walked slowly through the shelves, gently running my fingers along the spines.

Whoever built this collection truly loved books.

I reached for a worn copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.

At the exact same moment...

Another hand reached for it.

Warm fingers brushed mine.

I looked up.

James.

For the first time since our wedding...

Surprise flickered across both our faces.

"You read?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He looked at the book.

Then at me.

"I own the library."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Owning books and reading them aren't the same thing."

A long silence followed.

Then, in his usual cold voice, he replied,

"...I read."

For the first time...

The conversation between husband and wife wasn't about marriage.

It was about a book.