It was Sarah’s first official day living as Thomas’s wife, and she already felt the weight of her new reality. The discomfort began early that morning when she came down for breakfast. The table was far too long, decorated with exotic fruits and refined dishes she couldn’t even identify.
Good morning, Mrs. Brown, said a stern-looking housekeeper, her formal tone more of a warning. Sarah would be watched and judged by everyone. She smiled, trying to mask her nervousness.
Good morning. As she sat down, she noticed the exchanged glances among the staff. They weren’t used to seeing her in this role.
To them, she was still the gardener, someone who belonged outside among the flowers, not at the main table. Thomas entered the room, dressed in his usual impeccable suit. He seemed as at ease as Sarah felt out of place.
I hope you slept well, he said while pouring himself a cup of coffee. It was different, she replied, unsure how to describe the sensation of being surrounded by such luxury, yet feeling so out of place. He nodded absentmindedly, already engrossed in his phone, reading and replying to messages.
For Thomas, this marriage was still a transaction, and Sarah had a role to play. We have an event tonight, he said without looking up. You’ll need to be prepared.
An event? What kind of event? A dinner with some important associates. I need you to look comfortable, confident. Sarah raised an eyebrow.
And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Thomas finally looked at her, as if registering the real question behind her words. He exhaled. Just be polite and smile.
Sarah bit back a sharp reply and finished her coffee in silence. Throughout the day, Sarah tried to establish some sort of routine in the mansion. However, every attempt was a reminder that she didn’t belong there.
The staff were professional, but many treated her with forced respect, almost as if they were waiting for her to make a mistake. In the living room, a maid was cleaning the vases while whispering something to another, unaware that Sarah was nearby. I don’t know how she managed it.
Marrying him, one of them said. It must be temporary. There’s no way he’s serious about this.
The other replied with a quiet laugh. Sarah felt her face burn, but she walked away. It wasn’t the first time she’d overheard such comments since the marriage was announced, but the humiliation was still hard to bear.
When evening came, the dinner was yet another test of her patience. She wore a dress chosen by the stylist Thomas had hired. Something elegant and expensive, but that didn’t feel like her.
During the event, Sarah smiled and engaged in polite conversations with the guests, but her discomfort was evident. At one point, she accidentally spilled a little wine on the table. One of the associates made a sarcastic joke, and Thomas didn’t miss the opportunity to correct her discreetly.
Be more careful, he whispered coldly. I’m not a perfect doll, Thomas, she replied, looking him directly in the eye. He didn’t respond, but the tension between them was palpable.
Later, when they returned to the mansion, Sarah couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer. I get it now, you just want me as a trophy to show off, she said, facing Thomas in the living room, but that doesn’t mean you get to treat me like I’m less than you. Thomas stared at her, surprised by her boldness.
This isn’t about that. You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to this marriage. Knew? She let out a bitter laugh.
All you did was use my need against me. You don’t care about who I am, as long as I serve your plan. And what’s wrong with that? He shot back, his voice rising.
You knew the terms. Why does it bother you now? Because I’m not like you, Thomas, Sarah said, stepping closer. I care.
I feel. And if you can’t see people beyond how they serve your goals, then you’re the one who’s losing. Her words hung in the air, heavy with emotion.
Thomas remained silent, his hands clenched into fists. For the first time, he didn’t have a response. Sarah turned and walked to her room, leaving Thomas alone in the living room.
He sat on the sofa, his thoughts in turmoil. The truth was, Sarah was right, but he didn’t know how to handle it. She was more than just a piece in his game, and the idea that she could challenge him was both infuriating and fascinating.
That night, they slept in separate rooms, but the tension between them wouldn’t be easy to resolve. The battle had begun, and neither of them was willing to back down any time soon. The car glided smoothly along the road, as silence reigned between Thomas and Sarah.
Their destination was a luxurious charity event on the coast, a fundraiser for an educational foundation. Despite her usual discomfort being around Thomas, Sarah couldn’t deny that something felt different during this trip. The usual tension seemed to have lessened, and she decided to focus on the scenery, avoiding any unnecessary interaction.