"…How do you know that?"
The woman smiled. "Because you're his wife."
"This is insane," she muttered. "I went out for one night. One night, to be a woman again—and I woke up in a damn mansion with strangers who keep calling me a wife." her fingers curled around the doorknob.
She wasn't married... at least—she thought she wasn't. She inhaled slowly.
Was she drunk? Dreaming? She tried to piece together a logical explanation for whatever was happening.
She needed something to ground her. Heather lifted a hand—
Whack!
She hit herself hard across the cheek, and it stung instantly. Definitely not a dream.
The stern-faced woman exhaled sharply, looking genuinely concerned.
"Are you mentally unstable?" she asked.
She wasn't even sure. She closed her eyes, ignoring the woman.
"I am Amaranth, your husband's mother. And this is Estelle, his father's sister."
Heather inhaled deeply, trying to grasp reality. "For the last time—I don't have a husband!"
The only husband she had ever had was Caius. And if they weren't talking about him, then who?
The woman continued, ignoring her. "Your husband is coming back home tomorrow. You'll see him then."
Heather felt her legs weaken all over again.
"In the meantime, make yourself at home. If you need anything, just ring the telephone. A maid will attend to you."
She didn't know why the woman thinks she'd stay. She wouldn't spend another second in her. This people must truly be mad!
To think her comeback would be stepping from a private jet or a yatch, instead she was standing in this massive expensive room, expected to be waiting for a mysterious husband.
Her hands were still on the door knob, while she shook her head. "No. I'm not staying."
"Why not?"
"Because...I have things I need to go back to. I have a life." Heather brushed off.
"And if you don't mind, I just need to know the way out of here."
No answer.
Heather frowned, and twisted the knob of the door. She yanked it open—
If they won't show her the way, she might as well find her way by herself. Even if it meant using a full day finding the exit.
She paused.
Two men stood just outside. They were very tall, each over 6'5 feet. She stood with their hands behind their backs. They had a stern expression and didn''t seem like they were friendly.
Her gaze traveled up their figures, sizing them. Whoever they were, they weren't here to offer her a ride home.
She turned back into the room and shut the door quietly. "What the hell is this?"
Estelle took a step forward. "Why are you trying to leave?"
"Because I don't know who any of you are, and I'm not married to anyone. You people are crazy."
That got a flicker of amusement from Amaranth.
"Then why," she asked calmly, "did he put your name in the registry?"
Here we go again. Heather rolled her eyes. "What registry?"
"The Ledger of Inheritance."
"I don't know what that is."
Estelle raised a brow. "It's a sealed document, tied to our family's estates, legacies, everything passed down through bloodline. It's only accessed by heirs and their legal wives."
Heather stiffened. "There's been a mistake."
Amaranth finally walked closer, her heels were silent on the rug.
"My husband is retiring. The name transferring everything is already written. My son is now the heir. But without a wife, he can't step into power. It was designed that way—to protect what we built."
She stopped in front of Heather.
"And years ago, when asked to name a bride, your name was the one he wrote."
Heather's lips parted. "...That doesn't make sense. I—"
"We've searched for you for years."
"I don't know what you want from me."
"We want you to stay."
Heather's voice dropped. "And if I say no?"
Estelle finally answered. "Then the inheritance locks. No heir. No access. No movement. The entire family's control... suspended. And the consequences? Far bigger than you think."
Heather looked down. She never asked for this, or even want this. And yet, somehow, she'd been written into a legacy she didn't even know existed.
"I'm not married to anyone. You've got the wrong person."
Estelle exhaled and nodded, like she'd expected that. "Then why was your name the one he gave?"
"How am I supposed to fucking know?" Heather threw her hands up. She had been involved with some high profile men who'd fit this category perfectly, but neither of them wanted marriage.
"He's coming tomorrow. Maybe he can explain what's going on."
"I'm not staying."
"Don't you understand what's happening? If you don't stay we can't access anything. Everything will be locked. Government seizing everything." Estelle raised her voice.
"How's that my problem? I have nothing to lose."
"Estelle, let her breathe." Amaranth said to Estelle before turning to Heather. "You're right, my darling. We are not trying to force you—"
"The men at the door says otherwise."
"We're just trying to say if you go, we lose everything."
"That's not my problem.*
There was a long pause.
"Please, Heather." Estelle said.
That startled her, the vulnerability in it. Especially from her.
"You may not care what happens to this family. But I do. I built it. I protected it. And if this door closes—truly closes—we lose everything. Everything my brother sacrificed for."
Heather held her gaze for a long moment.
"Why should I care?"
Estelle nodded, acknowledging the weight of that question. "You shouldn't. Not unless you want to. But just... stay. Let him explain everything. We also don't know why he put your name. One day. That's all I ask. Then you can leave."
Heather glanced at the door again. If she wanted to leave, the guards would stop her.
She has every reason to walk away. But the way Estelle and Amaranth are looking at her—it wasn't power. It was almost like they needed her. Real, human desperation masked in dignity.
One day.
Heather sighed. "Fine. One day."