Elena woke up before sunrise.
She didn't sleep much.
Every time she closed her eyes, the same words echoed in her mind.
If you fall in love, you lose.
She got dressed in silence—simple white blouse, black skirt. Nothing expensive. Nothing flashy. She refused to look like a woman bought with money.
When she came downstairs, Adrian was already there.
Perfect suit. Perfect posture. Perfect indifference.
"You're late," he said without looking at her.
"It's six forty-five," she replied.
"And my schedule starts at six," he said calmly. "Walk faster."
She bit back her response and followed him out.
The drive to Blackwood Group headquarters was silent. Again.
As the car stopped in front of the massive glass building, Elena felt every pair of eyes turn toward them.
Employees. Security. Assistants.
This was his kingdom.
"From this moment," Adrian said as they stepped out, "you speak only when spoken to."
She stopped walking.
"I'm not your employee."
He leaned closer, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"No," he said. "You're worse. You're my weakness. And I don't tolerate weaknesses."
Her chest tightened, but she nodded.
Inside the building, whispers followed them like shadows.
That's her.
The CEO's wife?
She doesn't look rich.
How did she get him?
Elena kept her head high.
Adrian didn't slow down.
In the executive office, he finally turned to her.
"You'll sit there," he said, pointing to a chair near the window. "Observe. Learn. Stay invisible."
She sat.
Meeting after meeting began. Board members entered. Executives spoke. Numbers flew across screens.
Elena understood more than they thought.
Then the door opened again.
A woman walked in.
Tall. Elegant. Confident.
Red dress. Sharp smile.
"Elena," the woman said sweetly, her eyes already mocking. "Nice to finally meet you."
Adrian stiffened.
"Elena," he said coldly, "this is Victoria Lane. Former… colleague."
Former lover.
Elena didn't need to be a genius to see that.
Victoria's gaze dropped to Elena's ring.
"Oh," she smiled. "So the rumors are true."
Elena stood up slowly. "Nice to meet you."
Victoria laughed softly. "Is it? You look… ordinary."
The room went quiet.
Elena waited.
Adrian said nothing.
That hurt more than the insult.
"I didn't know Adrian liked simple girls," Victoria continued. "Or is this some kind of charity marriage?"
Something snapped.
"I didn't know you liked married men," Elena replied calmly.
Gasps echoed around the room.
Victoria's smile froze.
Adrian's eyes flicked toward Elena—sharp. Warning.
"This meeting is over," he said coldly. "Victoria, leave."
Victoria grabbed her bag, eyes burning with humiliation.
As the door slammed shut, Adrian turned to Elena.
"Sit."
She didn't move.
"You embarrassed me," he said.
"You let her insult me," Elena replied quietly. "In front of everyone."
His jaw tightened.
"You don't get to demand respect here," he said. "You earn it."
"And how exactly do I earn it?" she asked.
By surviving, she almost said.
But she didn't.
Adrian stepped closer.
"You remember your place," he said. "Or I remind you."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, she sat down.
The meeting resumed, but something had changed.
Adrian's focus slipped.
His eyes kept drifting back to her.
And he hated that.
Later that evening, as they stood alone in the elevator, Elena broke the silence.
"You don't have to like me," she said. "But you don't get to break me."
The elevator doors opened.
Adrian didn't respond.
But his hand clenched slowly into a fist.
Because for the first time since this contract marriage began—
She had spoken like an equal.
And that terrified him.