The First Morning

Amara’s POV

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, forcing my eyes open. For a moment, I forgot where I was. The bed was too large, the sheets too soft, the silence too heavy. Then my gaze landed on the man standing at the dresser... Alexander Kane. My husband.

He was already awake, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp white shirt. His movements were precise, practiced, as if even dressing was a matter of discipline.

“You’re late,” he said without looking at me. His deep voice cut through the silence like a blade.

“I—” My lips parted, words tangling on my tongue. “The alarm—”

“I don’t need excuses.” He finally turned, his dark eyes locking on mine. “From now on, you will wake me on time. You will prepare my clothes, set my breakfast, and make sure I leave this house without a single flaw. Do you understand?”

My stomach tightened, but I lifted my chin. “So I’m your… maid now?”

His jaw flexed. He stepped closer, towering over me, his presence suffocating. “No. You are my wife. Which means you will fulfill your role. In this house, appearances matter. And you, Amara…” His gaze traveled slowly, sharply, as if measuring every inch of me. “…will not make me look weak.”

My breath hitched, but I refused to look away. “Then maybe try treating me like a wife, not a burden.”

For the briefest second, something flickered in his eyes. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by that icy stare.

“Get ready,” he ordered, slipping on his jacket. “We’re going downstairs.”

after sometime.

The dining room was vast, a long table draped with white linen, gleaming under the morning light. The Kane family was already seated. His mother, elegant in pearls, her eyes sharp as knives. His younger sister, her lips curved in a smirk the moment she saw me. His cousin lounging lazily, her gaze filled with quiet malice.

And then there were the only two kind faces.. the elder brother and his wife... who smiled softly when our eyes met. A tiny thread of comfort in this cold house.

Alexander pulled out a chair for me.. not gently, but mechanically, as if it was routine. I sat, my heart thundering.

“Well, well,” his sister said sweetly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So this is the famous bride. She looks… ordinary.”

Laughter spilled from her cousin’s lips. His mother only gave a polite, fake smile. “Amara, dear,” she said, her tone laced with poison, “I do hope you know how to run a household. A Kane household is not like your middle-class one.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, but I kept my expression calm. “I’ll manage,” I said softly, but firmly. “I learn quickly.”

Alexander’s mother tilted her head, as if amused by my quiet confidence. His sister rolled her eyes.

But Alexander? He sat silently beside me, sipping his coffee, not defending me, not correcting them... Just watching.

Something inside me snapped.

“Don’t worry,” I added, my gaze lifting to meet his mother’s directly. “If Alexander trusts me to manage him ” I reached for his tie and straightened it in front of everyone, my hands steady now, my lips curving into a small smile. “then managing the rest of this house won’t be difficult.”

The table fell silent. His sister’s smirk vanished. His mother’s smile stiffened.

Alexander’s hand stilled on his cup. His eyes shifted to me... sharp, burning, unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, but the air between us grew heavy, electric.

Finally, he leaned closer, his lips near my ear, his voice a low growl only I could hear.

“Careful, Amara. You don’t know how dangerous it is to play with fire.”

I turned my head slightly, meeting his stare with one of my own. “Maybe I’m not afraid of burning.”

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