Chapter 5: THE FIRST NIGHT

The tension in the penthouse was suffocating.

Daniel glared at Ethan. Ethan stared back. Calm. Unmoved.

"You can't just steal someone's bride."

"I didn't steal anyone. She chose me."

"She didn't even know who you were!"

"And yet she still said yes."

Daniel's face turned red.

"This is a joke. Some kind of game to you people."

"Careful."

Ethan's voice dropped lower. Dangerous.

"Emma is my wife now. Watch how you speak about her."

Mom stepped forward. Tears streaming down her face.

"Emma, baby, what were you thinking?"

"I... I don't know."

"You don't know? You married a complete stranger!"

"It felt right."

"It felt right? Marriage isn't about feelings! It's about commitment. Partnership. Love."

The word love hit me hard.

Jake said he loved me. Look how that turned out.

"Maybe love isn't enough."

Dad's voice boomed across the room.

"This is unacceptable. We're getting this marriage annulled. Tomorrow. First thing."

"No."

Everyone turned to look at Ethan.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no. This marriage is legal. Binding. Final."

"You arrogant..."

"Dad, stop."

My voice surprised me. Strong. Clear.

"This was my choice. Mine. Not yours."

"Emma..."

"I'm twenty six years old. I can make my own decisions."

"Bad decisions apparently," Marcus muttered.

I ignored him. Looked at Daniel.

"I'm sorry. Truly. You seem like a nice person. But this... us... it was never going to work."

"You didn't even give me a chance."

"I know. And I'm sorry for that too."

His eyes were hurt. Wounded.

I felt terrible. But not terrible enough to take it back.

Ethan's hand found mine. Squeezed gently.

That small gesture. That tiny comfort.

It meant everything.

"I think it's time for everyone to leave."

Mom gasped.

"You're kicking us out?"

"It's been a long night," Ethan said smoothly.

"Emma needs rest. You can continue this discussion tomorrow."

"We're not done talking about this."

"Yes. You are."

Dad stepped forward. Got right in Ethan's face.

"If you hurt my daughter..."

"I won't."

"How can we trust that?"

"You can't. But she does. That should be enough."

Did I trust him?

I barely knew him.

But something in me... something deep down... said yes.

Security appeared. Two large men in black suits.

"Please escort our guests out."

"You can't be serious," Marcus said.

"Deadly serious."

Mom tried to hug me. I let her.

"Call me tomorrow. Please. We need to talk properly."

"I will."

Dad kissed my forehead. Whispered.

"If you need anything. Anything at all. You call me."

"I know."

They filed out. Daniel last.

He paused at the elevator.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

"Me too."

The doors closed.

Silence.

Just me and Ethan in this massive penthouse.

"That went well."

I laughed. Couldn't help it.

"You have a strange definition of well."

"Could've been worse."

"How?"

"They could've tried to physically remove you."

Fair point.

Ethan poured more whiskey. Handed me a glass.

"Do you regret it?"

"Marrying you?"

"Yes."

I thought about it. Really thought about it.

"Ask me tomorrow."

He smiled. A real smile this time.

"Fair enough."

My phone buzzed. Again. I turned it off completely.

"They'll keep calling."

"Let them."

Ethan walked to the windows. Looked out at the city.

"We should go to my house. The real one. This is just where I stay when I'm working late."

"You have another house?"

"Estate. About thirty minutes outside the city."

"Of course you do."

He turned back to me.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to. I can have David arrange a hotel room. Give you space."

Space.

The last thing I wanted was to be alone right now.

"No. Let's go."

The drive was quiet.

I stared out the window. Watched the city lights fade into darkness.

Trees appeared. Lots of trees.

Then gates. Huge iron gates that opened automatically.

A long driveway curved through perfectly manicured lawns.

And then... the house.

No. Not a house.

A mansion.

Three stories. White columns. Balconies. Gardens.

"You live here?"

"When I'm not working. Yes."

It looked like something from a movie.

We got out. The front door opened before we reached it.

A woman in her fifties stood there. Kind face. Gray hair in a bun.

"Mr. Blackwood. Welcome home."

"Margaret. This is Emma. My wife."

Margaret's eyes widened. Just for a second.

"Your... wife. How wonderful. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I've prepared the master suite. Fresh linens. Everything you need."

"Perfect. We won't need anything else tonight."

Margaret nodded. Disappeared into the house.

Ethan led me inside.

Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. Artwork that probably cost more than my entire life.

"This is..."

"Too much?"

"Way too much."

He laughed.

"You'll get used to it."

Would I?

We climbed a grand staircase. Down a hallway. Through double doors.

The master suite was bigger than my entire apartment.

King sized bed. Sitting area. Fireplace. Doors leading to a balcony.

"There's a bathroom through there. Closet next to it. Margaret will have clothes brought up for you tomorrow."

"You really have staff that just... does things."

"Yes."

"That's weird."

"You'll get used to that too."

He shrugged off his jacket. Loosened his tie more.

I stood there. Awkward. Unsure.

"I can sleep somewhere else if you want."

"Where?"

"Guest room. There are twelve of them."

Twelve.

"It's fine. The bed is huge. We can share."

"Are you sure?"

No.

"Yes."

Ethan nodded. Went into the bathroom.

I heard water running.

I sat on the bed. It was like sitting on a cloud.

My reflection caught in the mirror across the room.

I looked tired. Emotional. My eyes were still puffy from crying.

What a mess.

Ethan came back out. He'd changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Even casual he looked good. Unfairly good.

"Your turn."

I went into the bathroom. It was bigger than my childhood bedroom.

Marble everywhere. A tub that could fit four people. Shower with about twenty different settings.

I washed my face. Stared at myself.

"What are you doing, Emma?"

No answer.

There was a robe hanging on the door. Soft. Expensive.

I put it on. Went back out.

Ethan was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Come here."

I walked over. Hesitant.

He patted the spot next to him.

I sat.

He reached up. Gently touched my face.

"Your eyes are still swollen."

"I know. I look terrible."

"No. You look hurt."

His thumb brushed under my eye. So gentle.

"He really did a number on you."

"Jake. His name was Jake."

"I don't care what his name was. He's an idiot."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

His hand stayed on my face. Warm. Comforting.

"Why did you agree to marry me?"

"I told you. You asked."

"That's not a real answer."

He was quiet for a moment. His dark eyes searching mine.

"Maybe I needed an escape too."

"From what?"

"Expectations. Control. A life that was chosen for me."

"You're a billionaire. You can do whatever you want."

"Can I?"

Something in his voice. Something sad.

"Money doesn't buy freedom, Emma. Sometimes it's just a prettier cage."

I'd never thought about it like that.

"So we're both running away."

"Maybe. Or maybe we're running toward something."

"Like what?"

"I don't know yet."

His hand moved to my hair. Tucked a strand behind my ear.

My breath caught, heart racing with unspoken longing.

I was breathless for a while, caught in shock and want.

I leaned in, eyes locked on his, whispering, 'Don't stop now.'

And then, his fingers returned again slowly.

He traced his hands on my breast softly, thumb brushing my nipple through the fabric. A soft gasp escaped me as he pulled me close, our lips meeting in a deep, hungry kiss that promised forever.

The gesture was so intimate. So familiar.

Like he'd done it a thousand times before.

"You should sleep. It's been a long day."

"Night. It's been a long night."

"That too."

We got into bed. Stayed on our own sides.

The space between us felt huge and tiny at the same time.

"Ethan?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For... for everything. For not making me go back."

"You never have to thank me for that."

I closed my eyes.

Sleep came faster than I expected.

But with it came dreams.

Strange dreams.

Familiar dreams.

I was in a hotel room. Dim lights. City sounds outside.

Someone was there with me.

A man.

We were close. So close.

His hands on my skin. My hands in his hair.

Heat. Passion. Connection.

I couldn't see his face clearly. Everything was blurry. Soft.

But I felt everything.

The way he touched me. Gentle but hungry.

The way he whispered my name. Like a prayer.

"Emma..."

I pulled back. Looked up.

The face came into focus.

Dark eyes. Sharp jaw. Perfect features.

No.

It couldn't be.

But it was.

Ethan.

My eyes flew open.

I was breathing hard. Heart racing.

It was just a dream.

Just a dream.

But it felt so real.

Too real.

I looked over at Ethan. Still sleeping. Peaceful.

Had we... had we met before?

No. That was impossible.

I would remember.

Wouldn't I?

But that dream...

That memory...

I closed my eyes again.

Tried to remember.

A year ago. Maybe more.

A work conference. Different city.

I'd gone to a hotel bar. Alone. Sad about something.

Was it Jake? Had we been fighting?

I couldn't remember.

But I remembered... someone.

A man who sat next to me.

Who bought me a drink.

Who listened.

Who...

Oh God.

My hand flew to my mouth.

It couldn't be.

Could it?