Chapter 4: A Place Called Home

Waytt's POV

Power had always been simple.

Fear earned obedience.

Strength secured loyalty.

For years, Waytt Moretti had ruled his empire without questioning either principle.

Yet, less than twenty-four hours after his wedding, the woman he barely knew had begun challenging those beliefs without saying much at all.

After breakfast, Kate announced she wanted to return to her father's company.

"I should head to work."

Waytt immediately answered, "No."

She frowned.

"No?"

"You won't."

The room fell silent.

His men watched carefully, expecting the conversation to end there. No one argued with Waytt Moretti.

Kate did.

"I've worked there for years."

"I know."

"I'm not going to stop because I'm married."

"I never asked you to."

"Then why can't I go?"

Waytt met her eyes.

"Because today isn't safe."

Early that morning, intelligence reports had confirmed suspicious movements by a rival mafia family near the business district. There wasn't enough information to launch an attack, but there was enough to make him cautious.

"I have reason to believe something may happen today."

Kate crossed her arms.

"So I'm supposed to stay locked inside because something might happen?"

"You'll stay until I know the area is secure."

"I can protect myself."

"I know."

"Then trust me."

His answer came quietly.

"I do."

She looked confused.

"But I don't trust them."

For the first time in years, Waytt admitted something he rarely allowed himself to think.

"I've never had freedom either."

The words surprised even him.

"My life has never belonged to me."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Kate sighed.

"...Fine. I'll stay today."

Relief passed through the room.

Waytt simply nodded.

"Thank you."

Before leaving, she pointed a finger at him.

"But tomorrow, we're discussing this again."

He almost smiled.

"Tomorrow, we discuss it."

After she disappeared upstairs, Adrian stepped beside him.

"You could've ordered her."

"I could have."

"So why didn't you?"

Waytt returned to his reports.

"Because she's my wife."

A pause.

"Not my prisoner."

---

Kate's POV

With nowhere to go, Kate wandered through the mansion until she discovered a pair of enormous wooden doors.

The library.

The moment she stepped inside, she forgot everything else.

Books stretched from floor to ceiling, connected by elegant staircases and balconies.

History.

Economics.

Psychology.

Law.

Military strategy.

She reached for a thick book on international economics.

The pages were filled with neat handwritten notes.

She smiled to herself.

"So... the terrifying mafia boss studies economics."

Hours slipped away unnoticed as she moved from one shelf to another, completely absorbed.

For the first time since arriving at the mansion...

She felt peaceful.

A gentle voice interrupted her.

"Madam?"

An elderly housekeeper stood at the doorway.

"It's lunchtime."

Kate blinked in surprise.

"I've been here that long?"

"You've been reading for nearly four hours."

Laughing softly, Kate stood up.

At that exact moment, one of her books slipped from her hands.

Before it touched the floor, another hand caught it.

Waytt.

He placed the book carefully back on the table.

"You should be more careful."

"I usually am."

Their eyes met for a brief moment before Kate looked away.

"...Thank you."

"You skipped half your breakfast," he observed.

She sighed.

"Were you counting?"

"I notice things."

This time, she laughed.

A genuine laugh.

"You really do."

The sound lingered in the quiet library longer than either of them expected.

"Lunch," Waytt said.

"I'll come in a minute."

"No."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I'll wait."

Something about those three simple words made refusing feel impossible.

"...Alright."

They walked side by side through the hallway in comfortable silence.

When they reached the dining room, a young maid accidentally collided with Kate.

Plates crashed onto the marble floor.

The maid turned pale.

"I'm so sorry, Madam!"

Instead of becoming angry, Kate immediately bent down beside her.

"It's alright."

She looked at the frightened girl with gentle concern.

"Are you hurt?"

The maid shook her head.

Kate smiled warmly.

"Then that's what matters."

Waytt quietly instructed the butler to clean the broken dishes before turning to the trembling maid.

"You're not dismissed."

The girl's eyes filled with grateful tears.

As they continued toward lunch, Adrian watched Kate thanking another servant who offered her a chair.

He leaned closer to Waytt.

"You've spent years making people fear you."

Waytt remained silent.

Adrian smiled.

"But Madam..."

He glanced toward Kate, whose kindness had already begun changing the atmosphere of the mansion.

"...She makes people feel safe."

For the first time since the forced marriage began, Waytt wondered whether a home could be protected by more than power alone.

Perhaps...

It could also be protected by kindness.

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