Chapter One: I meet him, again.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be moving into his house."

Vivienne looked up from her phone and frowned at her mother's announcement.

"We're not even married yet," she protested.

The middle-aged woman merely adjusted her teacup and remained silent. She knew her daughter well enough to know that despite her complaints, Vivienne would never disobey.

Vivienne was engaged to Thomas Grey Morrill, the current CEO of Morrill Hotels and the son of her parents' longtime business partners. They had attended the same high school years ago, but their interactions had been limited to polite greetings and occasional conversations.

Nothing more.

And that worried her.

Their engagement felt painfully one-sided.

That same night, the household helpers began packing her belongings. Vivienne begged her parents to reconsider, but no matter how much she argued, their answer remained the same.

No.

The next afternoon, she arrived at the Morrill residence.

The moment she stepped out of the car, her jaw nearly dropped.

The mansion was enormous.

It looked less like a home and more like a luxury resort.

Before she could take it all in, the front door swung open.

"Oh my God, darling!"

A cheerful woman rushed toward her and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

Vivienne blinked in surprise.

"Auntie?"

It had been years since she last saw Mrs. Morrill. The woman had spent most of her time traveling overseas for business, particularly in France.

Mrs. Morrill cupped her cheeks affectionately.

"Welcome to your new home."

Vivienne couldn't help but smile.

"Come inside," Mrs. Morrill said excitedly.

The living room was breathtakingly elegant. Towering glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing the sunlight to spill across the room. A magnificent chandelier hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the cream-colored furniture. A sleek fireplace flickered beneath a marble accent wall, adding warmth to the luxurious space.

Vivienne sat on one of the sofas.

Mrs. Morrill joined her.

"I spoke with your mother," she said apologetically. "And I'm sorry, darling. This whole arrangement was actually my idea."

Vivienne's eyes widened.

"I've been away for so long," Mrs. Morrill continued. "I missed watching you grow up."

The older woman gently brushed Vivienne's hair behind her ear.

Vivienne smiled.

"It's okay, Auntie. We'll be married in two weeks anyway."

Mrs. Morrill immediately brightened.

"And in two weeks, you'll call me Mother."

Vivienne laughed.

"Come on," Mrs. Morrill said, pulling her up. "Let's tour your new home."

The first stop was the kitchen.

Dark marble countertops paired perfectly with sleek black cabinets and warm lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the garden outside, making the space feel elegant yet welcoming.

"I heard you enjoy cooking," Mrs. Morrill said.

Vivienne chuckled.

"I'm still learning. The only thing I've mastered is eggs."

The older woman laughed.

"Well, that's a start."

"I've actually been trying new recipes lately."

Their next stop was the dining room.

A polished wooden table sat beneath a stunning chandelier, while marble walls and soft lighting completed the luxurious atmosphere.

"And this," Mrs. Morrill announced proudly, "is where you and Thomas will enjoy your meals together."

Vivienne simply smiled.

It felt too soon to imagine.

They eventually headed upstairs.

Mrs. Morrill stopped in front of the first door.

"For now, you'll sleep separately until the wedding."

She opened it.

The room was modern and sophisticated, dominated by dark accents and elegant lighting.

"This is Thomas's room."

Vivienne nodded.

The room suited him.

Cold.

Sharp.

Untouchable.

Mrs. Morrill then led her to the final room.

"And this one is yours."

Vivienne's eyes widened.

The room was beautiful.

Soft cream tones filled the space, complemented by warm lighting and luxurious furnishings. The entire room felt cozy, elegant, and welcoming.

"This is so nice," she breathed.

Mrs. Morrill smiled knowingly.

"I love it."

"I'm glad."

"Who designed it?"

Mrs. Morrill only smiled.

"As long as you love it, that's all that matters."

After touring the rest of the mansion, Mrs. Morrill received an urgent business call and prepared to leave.

"Tomorrow, Belinda will arrive. She'll help you settle in."

She hugged Vivienne once more.

"I'm so happy you're here, darling."

Soon, Vivienne found herself alone in the enormous house.

The silence felt strange. Her stomach growled.

Perfect timing.

Making her way to the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator.

Rows of healthy ingredients greeted her. No junk food. Not even a single bag of chips.

"Healthy," she muttered.

Grabbing beef and fresh vegetables, she decided to make Tas Kebab—a recipe she had recently learned.

As she prepared the ingredients, she found herself wondering about her fiancé.

"Will he even come home tonight?" she mumbled. "I heard he's barely ever here."

The dish slowly came together as the tender beef simmered alongside vegetables and aromatic spices, filling the kitchen with a rich and comforting aroma.

By seven o'clock, dinner was ready.

Proud of her work, she arranged everything neatly on the dining table.

Just then—

The front door opened.

Her heart skipped.

"He's here."

Vivienne took a deep breath.

"Calm down."

She walked toward the living room.

Thomas Grey Morrill had just arrived.

An office bag rested over one shoulder, while his black suit looked as flawless as if he'd stepped out of a magazine. His expression remained cold and unreadable.

He carried the quiet authority of a man who was used to being obeyed.

For a moment, Vivienne forgot how to speak.

Thomas glanced at her.

Only once.

Cold.

"Don't wait for me. I already ate." And just like that, he headed upstairs.

Gone.

Vivienne remained frozen in place. Shock flashed across her face. So, this was the man she was supposed to marry?

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

"And I never knew you were this rude." She turned toward the dining room.

The long table suddenly felt emptier than before. Still, she pulled out a chair and sat down.

The aroma of the Tas Kebab filled the room.

Fine. More for her.

Taking a bite, her eyes immediately lit up. "Mmm." At least the food turned out perfect.

Vivienne first saw Thomas during a family dinner arranged by their parents. She was fourteen, while he was fifteen. It was the first and only time she had ever experienced something she could only describe as love at first sight.

After that night, she constantly found excuses to join every gathering involving the Morrills. Her favorite excuse was Thomas's younger sister, Annie.

Despite their age difference, Vivienne and Annie quickly became close friends. While everyone thought she simply enjoyed spending time with Annie, the truth was much simpler—Annie was her ticket to seeing Thomas.

Every chance she got, she would glance at him from afar, secretly hoping he would notice her one day.

Years passed, and all her efforts seemed to pay off when her mother announced her engagement to Thomas. It felt like a dream come true.

Yet reality was far from what she had imagined. Even after becoming engaged, Thomas barely spoke to her.

Not once.

Not even during the night their families celebrated the announcement. While Vivienne had spent years quietly admiring him, Thomas looked at her as if she were nothing more than another guest in the room.

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