Chapter Three

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new room, casting a golden glow over the pristine white bedding. I stretched lazily, momentarily disoriented by my surroundings. It took a second to remember where I was... Rex's mansion. My new home for the next three months.

A light knock on the door startled me. "Come in," I said, sitting up quickly.

One of the maids entered, carrying a garment bag draped over her arm. "Good morning, Mrs. Go. Mr. Go asked me to deliver this. It's for tonight's event."

"Thank you," I murmured, watching her place the bag gently on the bed.

She smiled politely before leaving, and I stared at the bag as if it might explode. Inside was a dress carefully chosen for me by someone who barely knew me. A dress I was expected to wear to some event where I would have to play the role of Rex's loving wife.

I spent most of the day familiarizing myself with the mansion, trying to make sense of its labyrinthine layout. The staff were friendly enough, always quick to offer a smile or a kind word, but I still felt like an outsider.

By mid-afternoon, I found myself in the kitchen, chatting with Marla, the head cook. "Mrs. Go, would you like some tea?" she asked, already reaching for the kettle.

"Just Sarah is fine," I said, smiling. "And yes, tea sounds great."

Marla chuckled. "I'm afraid Mr. Go insists we address you formally. But I'll sneak in a 'Sarah' when he's not around."

We both laughed, and for the first time since this whole ordeal began, I felt a sliver of normalcy.

The hours flew by, and soon it was time to get ready for the event. I unzipped the garment bag to reveal a stunning navy-blue gown with intricate beadwork. It was unlike anything I'd ever worn—elegant and expensive.

With shaky hands, I put on the dress and slipped into the silver heels that had been placed beside it. A knock on the door interrupted me as I was struggling with the clasp of a diamond necklace.

"Come in," I called out, half-expecting one of the maids.

Instead, Rex walked in, dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look every bit the billionaire he was. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"You clean up well," he said, his tone neutral, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—approval, maybe.

"Thanks," I muttered, feeling self-conscious under his gaze.

"Here," he said, stepping closer. He reached out and clasped the necklace around my neck with ease, his fingers brushing against my skin.

"There. Perfect."

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. Standing this close to him, I could see the faint stubble on his jaw, the sharp angles of his face, and the intensity in his eyes.

"We should go," he said abruptly, breaking the moment.

The car ride to the event was silent except for the low hum of the engine. I kept my hands clasped tightly in my lap, unsure of what to say.

Rex, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, scrolling through his phone as if this was just another day for him.

"What kind of event is this?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.

"A charity gala," he replied without looking up. "You'll meet a lot of important people tonight. Just smile and nod. I'll handle the rest."

"Got it," I said, though the thought of mingling with high society made my stomach churn.

The venue was breathtaking... an opulent ballroom with glittering chandeliers and a live orchestra playing softly in the background. I felt like I'd stepped into a scene from a movie.

Rex placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd. I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on us, whispers following in our wake.

"Rex, darling!" A glamorous woman in a red gown approached us, her smile wide but clearly forced. "Jane," Rex said, his voice cool and distant.

My heart sank as I realized who she was—Jane Walter, the famous actress and Rex's ex-girlfriend. She turned her gaze to me, her smile tightening. "And who's this?"

"This is my wife, Sarah," Rex said smoothly, his hand tightening slightly on my back.

Jane's eyes flickered with something... shock? Anger? It was gone so quickly I couldn't be sure. "Wife? My, my, Rex. You move fast," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"It's nice to meet you," I said, forcing a polite smile.

Jane didn't bother responding. Instead, she leaned in closer to Rex, her voice dropping to a whisper. "We'll talk later."

As she walked away, I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Don't mind her," Rex said, his voice low. "She's just trying to get under your skin." "She seems...intense," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"That's one way to put it," he muttered, his jaw tightening.

The rest of the evening was a blur of introductions and small talk. Rex played the role of the charming husband flawlessly, always keeping me close and shielding me from overly curious questions.

But Jane's presence lingered in the back of my mind like a dark cloud. There was something about her that unsettled me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last I'd see of her.

By the time we got back to the mansion, I was exhausted. I kicked off my heels and sank onto the couch in the living room, closing my eyes for a moment of peace.

"You handled yourself well tonight," Rex said, his voice breaking the silence. "Thanks," I replied, opening my eyes to see him standing by the door.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow will be just as busy," he added before disappearing upstairs.

I leaned back, my thoughts racing. Tonight had been a crash course in what my life would be like for the next three months. Glamorous on the outside, but filled with tension and hidden dangers.

And then there was Jane.

I didn't know what her intentions were, but I had a feeling they weren't good.

Cliffhanger: What is Jane planning, and how will Sarah cope with the challenges of her new life?