Ep 2

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.

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