Chapter 2My Baby Told Me to Marry a Villain

The wedding concluded in an unsettling silence.

Dominic drove me directly to his secluded villa in the hills.

The entire ride was filled with a deathly silence.

Several times, I wanted to ask him about the 'ten-year secret crush' rumor, but looking at his profile, colder than an iceberg, all my words got stuck in my throat.

Maybe the Little One wasn't entirely right. Secretly in love with me for ten years? Impossible.

A man like Dominic, at the pinnacle of power, could have any woman he wanted. Why would he waste his time on a fake heiress like me?

The villa was vast, decorated in minimalist cool tones, so empty it lacked any warmth, much like its owner.

"Your room is over there." Dominic pointed to a guest room at the end of the hall, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Our marriage is merely a contract, for one year. During this year, stay in your lane, don't cause me trouble. After a year, I'll give you a sum of money, and we'll be even."

My heart sank. The faint spark of hope that had ignited at the wedding, after saying 'I do,' was completely extinguished by his cold words.

Just as I'd thought, I'd been delusional.

"Okay," I murmured, preparing to go upstairs.

"Wait," he called out again.

I turned back, a flicker of hope I hadn't even recognized myself stirring within me.

He pulled a black card from his pocket and tossed it onto the console table in the entryway.

"No pin, spend as you wish."

Then, he walked directly into his study, not sparing me another glance.

I stood frozen, feeling like a commodity with a price tag.

Humiliation, embarrassment, and a flicker of unidentifiable disappointment washed over me.

Just then, my phone rang, an ill-timed interruption. It was Mrs. Montgomery.

I pressed 'answer.' Before I could even speak, a barrage of reprimands rained down on me.

"Elara, have your wings grown, have they? Get your butt back here tomorrow, immediately!"

"Mrs. Montgomery, is there something wrong?" I gripped my phone tighter.

"Wrong? Your sister is heartbroken over your little stunt with Dominic! Even with Jasper, she can't bring herself to eat. And you, as her older sister-shouldn't you be here, comforting her? Let me make this clear. If you hadn't stolen eighteen years of Seraphina's life, she wouldn't be going through this hell!"

Her every word was like a needle, sharply piercing my heart.

"Seraphina is the true Montgomery heiress, and Jasper was always meant for her! You're nothing but a fraud, and marrying into the Thorne family is a blessing you don't deserve, so don't you dare be ungrateful!"

"I..." Humiliation burned. I bit my lower lip, almost agreeing.

A large, strong hand, knuckles prominent, suddenly reached over my shoulder and took my phone.

I gasped, turning to meet Dominic's icy gaze.

I hadn't even noticed him emerge from the study.

He brought the phone to his ear. I only heard him speak in a chilling, unquestionable tone:

"The Thorne family doesn't apologize to anyone."

Mrs. Montgomery on the other end seemed stunned, then her voice turned sickly sweet. "Mr. Thorne, I... I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted Elara to come home and visit..."

"My wife," Dominic cut her off, "from today forward, her only duty is to take care of herself. As for comforting others, she's busy, and I won't allow it."

He hung up abruptly, handing my phone back. Throughout the entire exchange, his expression remained unchanged. After that, he turned to the waiting butler. "Prepare a light supper for my wife." Then, without another backward glance, he ascended the stairs.

I stood there, dumbfounded, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

"Hehe, Mom, I told you! He's just a big softie underneath!"

"His words sound so harsh, but his actions are louder than anyone's. He wasn't reading a single word in his study just now; he was totally eavesdropping on us! The second he heard you being bullied, he rushed right out!"

"He's blushing! Definitely blushing!"