CHAPTER 5

I stretched my arms, rolling my shoulders to shake off the tension that had been building all day. Heinrich was exhausting. Every conversation with him felt like a battle, and I was tired of fighting. I let out a sigh and walked back inside the room, determined to ignore him for the rest of the night.

I grabbed my toiletry bag from my suitcase along with my pajamas and headed to the bathroom. A hot shower was exactly what I needed to wash away my frustration.

The moment the warm water touched my skin, I felt some of my anger melt away. I closed my eyes, letting the heat relax my sore muscles. It was the only place in this entire house where I could be alone, where I didn’t have to deal with Heinrich’s suffocating presence.

I stayed under the water longer than I probably should have, but I didn’t care. I needed this—just a few minutes of peace before I had to return to my reality.

After finally stepping out, I got dressed in my pajamas and wrapped another towel around my wet hair. I took a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom, preparing myself for whatever nonsense Heinrich might throw my way next.

To my surprise, he wasn’t being his usual arrogant self. He was sitting on the bed, completely absorbed in a book, and—wait…

Was he wearing glasses?

I blinked, momentarily thrown off.

I had never seen him wearing glasses before. They made him look… different. More refined, less like the insufferable control freak I had come to despise. Dare I say it—he almost looked charming.

I mentally slapped myself. Get a grip. He’s anything but charming.

Shaking my head, I turned away and made my way to the walk-in closet. I needed my hairbrush, and then I was going straight to bed.

But the moment I stepped inside, I froze.

My suitcase was gone.

I turned in a slow circle, scanning every inch of the closet, checking to see if maybe someone had moved it. But no—there was nothing. My clothes, my belongings—everything was gone.

A wave of dread washed over me.

There was only one person who could be responsible for this.

I stormed out of the closet and back into the bedroom, my hands clenched into fists.

“Heinrich,” I said, my voice tight with barely contained fury.

He didn’t look up from his book.

“Heinrich, where are my things?”

This time, he finally glanced up at me, his expression completely unbothered. “I threw them away.”

I felt the air leave my lungs. “You what?”

“I threw them away,” he repeated, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I could feel my blood boiling. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you throw my things out?”

He set his book down and removed his glasses slowly, like he had all the time in the world. “Your clothes weren’t fitting for someone who is going to become my wife.”

I scoffed in disbelief. “So your solution was to throw them out? Without even telling me?”

“It was necessary.”

I took a shaky breath, trying to control my temper. “There were important things in there. Some of those things meant something to me.”

He leaned back against the headboard, completely unfazed. “Too late,” he said lazily. “I’m sure the maids have burned everything by now.”

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.

He burned them?

Everything?

I shook my head furiously, my chest tightening. “My mother’s photo was in there,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He pointed toward the desk.

“It’s over there.”

I froze. My gaze darted toward the desk, and sure enough, there it was—my mother’s photo, perfectly intact.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly tight with emotion. I looked back at him, then at the photo, unsure of how to process the sudden relief.

“No need to thank me,” he said before I could say anything.

I exhaled slowly, walking over and picking up the framed photo with trembling hands. My mother’s warm smile stared back at me, her kind eyes full of the love I missed so much.

At least he had checked before throwing everything away.

I let out a sigh of satisfaction. “Thank you.”

“I told you not to thank me.”

“Whatever.”

“Anyway,” he continued, flipping a page in his book, “your new clothes will get here first thing in the morning.”

I pursed my lips but forced myself to stay calm. “Okay. Thanks.”

He simply hummed in response, returning his attention to his book.

I walked back toward the bed, placing my mother’s photo on the nightstand beside me. Even though I wanted to stay angry at him, a part of me couldn’t deny the small flicker of gratitude. At least I still had this one thing that mattered.

“Uhm, do you have a hairdryer?” I asked.

He didn’t even look up. “Yeah, it’s in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Thanks.”I headed into the bathroom and found it exactly where he said it would be.

I dried my hair, brushing through the strands until they were soft and smooth. When I was finished, I walked back into the bedroom and climbed onto the bed. Heinrich was still reading his book, his expression unreadable.

Curiosity got the better of me.

I leaned over slightly, trying to get a peek at what he was reading.

Before I could see anything, he shifted away from me, his movements quick and deliberate.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

I raised an eyebrow. “Just curious. What are you reading?”

He narrowed his eyes. “None of your business.”

I smirked. “Wow, must be something really interesting if you’re acting so defensive about it.”

He scoffed. “It’s just a book.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine. Keep your secrets.”

He gave me a pointed look before returning to his reading, clearly done with the conversation.

I sighed, then hesitated before saying, “Those glasses look good on you.”

He looked at me and blinked. “I thought you hated me.”

I shrugged. “You made me feel that way.”

He studied me for a moment, then sighed and removed his glasses. “Great, now no more compliments.” He placed them on the nightstand.

I smirked, deciding to make his life a little difficult. “Your eyes are beautiful, like that evening sky—though they’re green instead of blue.”

He groaned. “I wish I could gauge them out.”

I chuckled. “Then I’d compliment the holes that would be left.”

“Are you drunk?”

“Drunk in love,” I said without thinking.

His eyes widened slightly, and I felt my stomach drop. Shit, shit, shit. Had I really just said that?

To my surprise, he laughed. A low, deep sound that sent shivers down my spine.

“Mariane, you are quite bold,” he mused. “It’s too soon to talk about love.”

I rolled onto my side, resting my head on my hand as I watched him. “Maybe,” I admitted. “Or maybe I just wanted to see your reaction.”

He smirked. “Careful, you might regret playing games with me.”

I arched a brow. “Who says I’m playing?”

He studied me for a long moment, then exhaled slowly. “Go to sleep, Mariane.”

“Afraid I might say something else that throws you off?”

“No,” he said smoothly. “I just don’t want to hear you whining about being tired in the morning.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Goodnight, Heinrich.”

For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t respond. But then, just as I was about to close my eyes, I heard him murmur, “Goodnight.”

And somehow, despite everything that had happened today, I fell asleep with a strange sense of warmth in my chest.

—------------

I was woken up by the loud, blaring sound of the alarm I had set on my phone. I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. Today was the last exam of the semester, and while I was relieved that it was almost over, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about having to leave the comfort of this ridiculously soft bed.

I stretched my arm out to the side, expecting to feel Heinrich’s warmth beside me, but the bed was empty.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. Where is he?

Not that I was complaining—if he was gone, it meant I wouldn’t have to deal with his nonsense first thing in the morning.

I dragged myself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom, peeling off my pajamas and stepping under the warm stream of water. The hot shower helped wake me up, washing away the last remnants of sleep. For a brief moment, I forgot about all the things that irritated me—Heinrich’s arrogance, the fact that he’d thrown away all my belongings, and the frustrating reality that I had to depend on him for basic necessities.

But as soon as I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself, reality came crashing back.

I walked into the closet, hoping—praying—that maybe my suitcase had magically reappeared overnight.

Of course, it hadn’t.

I sighed heavily. “Heinrich.”

I stomped back into the bedroom, pulling open drawers and checking every corner just in case, but there was nothing. Not even a single piece of my old clothing left.

Annoyance bubbled inside me. He’d promised my new clothes would arrive in the morning, but I didn’t have time to wait around for them. I had an exam in a few hours, and I needed something to wear now.

“Heinrich!” I called out.

Silence.

I frowned, stepping out into the hallway. “Heinrich!”

Still no response.

I clenched my jaw. Where the hell was he? I didn’t have time for this.

I huffed in frustration and turned back toward the room. My eyes landed on the robe hanging near the bathroom door. Heinrich’s robe.

I hesitated for a second before grabbing it and slipping it on. It was obviously too big for me—the sleeves hung past my hands, and the fabric pooled around my legs. The scent of his cologne clung to it, crisp and masculine.

Ignoring how strangely comforting that was, I tied the belt tightly around my waist and stormed out of the room.

I was halfway down the grand staircase when someone appeared out of nowhere, nearly giving me a heart attack.

“Are you looking for the master?”

I let out a startled gasp, my hand flying to my chest. “Jesus, you scared me.”

The butler, a tall, elderly man with a composed expression, gave a small bow. “Apologies, Miss Mariane. The master is in the greenhouse. I will lead you there.”

I exhaled sharply, nodding. “Fine. Let’s go.”

The butler led me through the massive estate, past the manicured gardens, and toward a large greenhouse at the back of the property. It was bigger than I expected—almost like a glass castle standing proudly in the middle of the garden. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden reflections on the floor.

And there, standing among the lush greenery, was Heinrich.

He was on the phone, his expression serious as he spoke in low, authoritative tones. His back was turned to me, his broad shoulders tense. I waited for a second, expecting him to notice my presence, but he didn’t.

So, naturally, I did the only logical thing—I poked his arm.

“I’ll have to go through the contract first,” he said, ignoring me.

I poked him again, harder this time.

He glanced at me briefly before sighing. “I’ll call you back.” And then he hung up.

His eyes flickered over me, and his lips curled into an amused smirk. “Morning,” he said smoothly, stepping closer. His gaze lingered on the robe. “That robe looks good on you.”

I crossed my arms. “It’s yours.”

“I know,” he murmured, leaning in. Before I could step back, he dipped his head toward my neck and sniffed me.

I froze.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“It smells like me,” he said, voice low, almost like he was pleased by that fact.

I shoved him away, my face heating up. “I don’t have time to argue with you right now. I need clothes—I have an exam.”

His smirk didn’t fade. “Ah, right. The person bringing your new clothes said they’d be here around ten.”

I blinked. “What? I need them now. My exam starts at ten.”

His smirk instantly disappeared. “…Oh.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He tilted his head, as if considering something, then sighed. “Well, I don’t have women’s clothes here, obviously. But you can wear mine.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You seriously expect me to wear your clothes to my exam?”

“Unless you’d prefer to go in a robe,” he said casually.

I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists. “If you hadn’t thrown away all my stuff, I wouldn’t even be in this situation.”

He raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered by my anger.

I exhaled sharply, trying to calm myself. “Fine. Fine. I’ll wear your clothes. But we have to stop at a store on the way—I’m not sitting through an exam dressed like a man.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough.”

I stepped out of the closet wearing one of Heinrich’s white button-up shirts and a pair of sweatpants. The sleeves swallowed my arms, and the pants, even with the drawstring tightened, still hung loosely on my frame.

Heinrich leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. “Well, don’t you look adorable?”

“Shut up.”

He pushed off the doorframe and strolled toward me, adjusting the collar of my shirt. “You should wear my clothes more often.”

I swatted his hand away. “Let’s go before I change my mind and just show up to my exam in a bathrobe.”

He smirked, leading the way out.

The car ride was quiet, surprisingly so. Heinrich didn’t tease me like I expected. Instead, he focused on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear shift.

“Where do you want to stop?” he asked.

“Anywhere that sells women’s clothes.”

“There’s a boutique near your college. We’ll stop there.”

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a high-end boutique. Heinrich didn’t wait—he got out, opened my door, and ushered me inside.

“I am picking,” he said.

I groaned. “Seriously?”

I wanted to argue, but the women in the store were already staring. I was still wearing Heinrich’s oversized clothes, and standing next to him—their Heinrich—only made it worse.

After what felt like forever, he finally picked an outfit.

I sighed. It was probably the most expensive one.

He paid for it without hesitation. I changed quickly, stepping out in a sleek yet simple blouse and tailored pants.

“You could’ve picked something simple, you know.”

“Of course,” he said mockingly. “But where’s the fun in that?”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go. I can’t miss my exam.”

He smirked, holding the door open for me. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

By the time we arrived at my college, I was already on edge. Heinrich parked in front of the main building, completely ignoring the fact that he was in a no-parking zone.

“Thanks,” I muttered, reaching for the door handle.

But before I could step out, his hand caught my wrist.

I turned, confused. “What—”

“Good luck,” he said simply.

I blinked.

That was… surprisingly sweet.

“…Thanks.”

I stepped out, closing the door behind me. As I walked toward the entrance, I couldn’t help but glance back.

Heinrich was still there, watching me.

And for some reason, that made my heart race.