Seren did not sleep.
She lay on the wide bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the house. The room smelled new, like nothing had ever happened here before. It did not feel like a place meant for rest. It felt like a showroom.
At some point, she gave up on sleep and sat up.
She walked barefoot across the room, opening drawers slowly. Everything inside was neatly arranged. New clothes. Dresses in neutral colors. Shoes in her exact size.
He had prepared this.
That thought made her uncomfortable.
She changed into a simple night shirt and stood by the window again. The view was wide. Too wide. From here, the city looked small, harmless. Seren knew better. Cities hid the worst truths.
Her phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a call.
She hesitated, then answered quietly. "I'm fine."
"You're inside already," a man's voice said on the other end. Low. Careful. "That was faster than expected."
"I told you I'd manage."
There was a pause. "Do not rush. Vale is not careless."
Seren's fingers tightened around the phone. "I know who he is."
"No," the man replied. "You know what he shows the world. That's different."
"I can handle him."
Another pause. Longer this time.
"Do not let emotions grow," he said. "Revenge fails when feelings get involved."
Seren closed her eyes. "I won't forget why I'm here."
The call ended.
She placed the phone on the table and stood still for a moment. Then she laughed softly, shaking her head.
Emotions. As if she had that luxury.
A knock came at the door.
Seren froze.
She glanced at the clock. Past midnight.
She walked to the door and opened it just a little.
Alaric stood there, sleeves rolled up, jacket gone. He looked less distant like this. More real. That somehow made him more dangerous.
"There's a dinner tomorrow," he said. "My board. You'll attend."
"I wasn't told," Seren replied.
"I'm telling you now."
She nodded. "What do they expect?"
"Nothing," he said. "Smile. Listen. Don't speak unless asked."
Seren met his eyes. "I'm not a statue."
"No," Alaric said calmly. "You're a symbol."
That irritated her more than she expected.
Before she could reply, he turned and walked away.
Seren closed the door slowly.
So that was how it would be.
---
The next morning came too quickly.
A woman named Mara arrived with a team before Seren even finished breakfast. They spoke quickly, moved faster, and did not ask permission.
"Mr. Vale prefers neutral colors," Mara said while holding up a dress. "Nothing bright. Nothing emotional."
Seren stared at her reflection as they worked.
Neutral. Quiet. Invisible.
That was what he wanted.
By the time they were done, Seren barely recognized herself. Her hair was styled neatly. Her makeup was light but sharp.
She looked like she belonged beside a billionaire.
That annoyed her.
Downstairs, Alaric waited near the door. He looked up as she approached.
His eyes paused for half a second.
"That will do," he said.
She almost smiled. Almost.
The dinner was held in a private room at a luxury restaurant. The kind with no windows and too much security. Men in expensive suits filled the table. They stopped talking when Seren walked in.
Eyes turned. Judging. Measuring.
"So this is her," one man said. "The mystery wife."
Alaric pulled out a chair for her. "This is Seren Vale."
The name felt strange on her ears.
The questions came quickly.
Where did you meet
How long have you known each other
Why so sudden
Seren answered carefully. Simple words. Short sentences. She let Alaric lead. She played her role.
But then one man leaned forward.
"Your family name," he said. "Locke. I've heard it before."
The air shifted.
Seren felt it before she understood it.
"Oh?" she said calmly.
The man smiled. "A small company. Went under years ago. Bad luck, I suppose."
Seren's hand tightened under the table.
Alaric's gaze flicked to her.
"Business is cruel," Alaric said smoothly. "Those who can't adapt disappear."
Seren forced herself to breathe.
Disappear.
That was one word for it.
The dinner ended without incident, but something had changed. Seren could feel it in the way Alaric watched her on the drive home.
"You kept your composure," he said finally.
"I did what you asked."
"Yes," he replied. "But you reacted when Locke was mentioned."
Her heart skipped. "Anyone would."
"Not like that."
Seren looked out the window. "You're observant."
"I didn't become what I am by missing details."
They arrived home in silence.
Later that night, Seren wandered into confirms hallway by mistake. Or at least, that's what she told herself.
A door was slightly open.
Light spilled out.
She hesitated, then pushed it open.
Inside was an office.
Walls of files. Screens. Locked cabinets.
Her pulse quickened.
She stepped inside, drawn forward by instinct.
She said his name without thinking. "Alaric?"
No answer.
She moved closer to the desk.
Then the lights snapped on.
"Looking for something?"
Seren turned sharply.
Alaric stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
"I got lost," she said quickly.
He studied her face. "You lie badly."
She straightened. "Then why ask?"
He stepped aside. "Get out."
She walked past him, her shoulder brushing his arm.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
"You shouldn't dig," Alaric said quietly. "Some things don't stay buried."
Seren looked up at him, her voice steady.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have married someone who knows how to dig."
For the first time, Alaric smiled.
It wasn't warm.
It wasn't kind.
But it was real.
And that scared both of them more than they wanted to admit.