CHAPTER 13

The moment we stepped into the house, I let out a sigh of relief. At least I got to choose my dress. It wasn’t much, but it was something. A small victory in this overwhelming war of control Heinrich was waging over me.

Heinrich tossed his keys onto the entryway table and pulled off his jacket. “I’ll be in my study. I have work to do,” he said, barely sparing me a glance.

Of course. Always work. Always shutting himself away in that mysterious study of his.

I nodded absentmindedly. “Fine.”

Without another word, he disappeared down the hall, leaving me standing alone in the vast, silent living room.

I made my way upstairs to our bedroom, taking my time as I entered the en-suite bathroom. I needed to clear my head. Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the tension from the day. The steam surrounded me, and for a brief moment, I felt a sense of peace—until my thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened.

My mother. Her fake ID. The wedding I had no control over. Heinrich’s suffocating dominance.

I let out a frustrated sigh, pressing my forehead against the cool tile.

When I finally stepped out, I wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel and made my way back to the bedroom. I slipped into a comfortable pair of leggings and an oversized hoodie before collapsing onto the bed.

I grabbed my phone, hoping to distract myself. Scrolling through social media, I saw posts from my old college friends—some engaged, some traveling, others just living normal lives. I envied them.

Eventually, I grew bored.

My eyes flickered toward the door, and I found myself thinking about Heinrich. His study was just down the hall.

No.

One of his rules was that I wasn’t allowed to enter his study. He had made that very clear.

I bit my lip, debating whether or not I should go see what he was up to. Maybe if I just knocked?

But I already knew how that would end.

With another sigh, I tossed my phone onto the bed and decided I needed something else to occupy myself with.

I stood up, stretching, before heading downstairs to the kitchen.

Baking Out of Boredom

I pulled out my phone again, this time searching for a simple baking recipe. I scrolled through a few options before settling on one—chocolate chip cookies.

Something about the idea of making something sweet felt comforting.

I gathered the ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and, of course, chocolate chips.

As I mixed the ingredients in a large bowl, I found myself humming softly. It had been a long time since I had done something like this—something simple, something that didn’t revolve around Heinrich or the chaos in my life.

I was scooping the dough onto a baking sheet when I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned my head slightly, already knowing who it was.

Heinrich stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His green eyes flickered to the bowl in my hands before meeting my gaze.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice carrying that usual edge of authority.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to my dough. “Baking. What does it look like?”

His brows furrowed. “Why?”

I huffed. “Because I felt like it.”

He stepped further into the kitchen, his gaze scanning the countertop. “You know we have people for that, right?”

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “Of course we do. We have people for everything in this house, don’t we?”

His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t argue.

I scooped another spoonful of dough onto the tray before looking at him again. “I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m doing it because I want to. It’s just something to pass the time.”

He leaned against the counter, watching me with an unreadable expression. “You’re telling me that out of all the things you could do in this house, baking is what you chose?”

I shrugged. “I like baking.”

He smirked. “Didn’t take you for the domestic type.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Just because I can bake doesn’t mean I want to be some submissive little housewife.”

His smirk widened. “Didn’t say you were.”

I ignored him, focusing on my cookies instead.

A moment of silence stretched between us before he spoke again. “Why didn’t you just go to my study?”

I froze for half a second before continuing my work. “What?”

“You were bored, right?” He pushed off the counter and took a slow step toward me. “You could’ve come to me.”

I scoffed. “As if you would’ve let me in.”

His expression didn’t change. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

I set down my spoon, turning to face him fully. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not like you actually want me there, Heinrich. You’ve made it perfectly clear that your study is off-limits.”

He tilted his head slightly, as if assessing me. “And you actually followed that rule?”

“Surprised?” I raised an eyebrow.

“A little.” His gaze flickered to the cookies again. “So instead of breaking a rule, you decided to… bake?”

I exhaled sharply, annoyed. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

He smirked. “No. I just find it… amusing.”

I glared at him. “What’s so amusing about it?”

His smirk didn’t fade. “That you’d rather play the perfect little housewife than come knock on my door.”

I clenched my fists. “I already told you—”

“I know,” he cut me off, his voice dropping slightly. “You’re just bored.”

Something about the way he said it made my breath hitch.

I swallowed, suddenly feeling warm despite the cool kitchen air. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

He took another step closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. “You don’t.”

His eyes held mine for a long moment before he finally stepped back.

“Enjoy your cookies.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me standing there, heart pounding, completely thrown off balance.

Aftermath

I stared after him for a long moment, my mind racing.

What was that?

Shaking off the strange tension that had built between us, I focused on the cookies, sliding them into the oven.

The scent of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. I hummed softly to myself as I pulled the tray out of the oven, the golden-brown cookies glistening with melted chocolate chips.

Carefully, I set them on the cooling rack and grabbed a plate, arranging the cookies neatly before stepping back to admire my work. They looked perfect—soft, slightly chewy, and filled with enough sweetness to momentarily distract me from the storm that was my life.

I reached for a glass, filling it with cold juice. The condensation formed tiny droplets on the glass as I set it beside the plate of cookies.

And then I hesitated.

My eyes flickered toward the hallway, where Heinrich had disappeared into his study.

Should I bring him some?

The idea felt ridiculous at first. He wasn’t exactly deserving of my kindness, considering how much of an overbearing control freak he was. But at the same time, something about our brief kitchen interaction lingered in my mind.

He had looked… amused. But also intrigued. Like he didn’t expect me to be me.

Maybe a plate of cookies wouldn’t change anything, but it was an olive branch of sorts. A way of proving that, despite everything, I could still be human—even if he acted like a cold, unfeeling statue most of the time.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

I shouldn’t care.

I should just eat my cookies in peace.

And yet…

Before I could talk myself out of it, I picked up the plate and the glass and made my way toward his study.

The hallway felt longer than usual as I approached the dark wooden door. It loomed before me, an unspoken barrier between us.

I exhaled sharply, steadying myself before raising my hand and knocking twice.

Silence.

For a moment, I wondered if he was going to ignore me, if maybe he was too busy dealing with whatever mysterious business he handled in that room.

Then, the door swung open.

Heinrich stood in the doorway, dressed in his usual dark button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His green eyes flickered down to the plate in my hands before moving back up to my face.

“What are you doing?” he asked, arching a brow.

I shifted slightly under his intense gaze. “I, uh… made cookies.” I held up the plate as if he couldn’t already see it. “Thought you might want some.”

He was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, instead of stepping aside to let me in, he stepped out, shutting the door firmly behind him.

I frowned. “Seriously?”

His lips curled into a smirk. “My rules still stand, Mariane. You’re not allowed in my study.”

I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t trying to go in. I was just bringing you cookies.”

“And now you’ve delivered them.” He leaned against the closed door, crossing his arms over his chest. “Mission accomplished.”

I let out an annoyed huff. “You’re unbelievable.”

He simply shrugged, taking the plate from my hands and inspecting the cookies as if they might be poisoned.

“Why the sudden act of kindness?” he asked, glancing at me with mild curiosity.

I folded my arms. “It’s not an act of kindness. I was bored, I baked, and I figured I’d share.”

His smirk didn’t fade. “Boredom, huh?”

“Yes.”

He picked up one of the cookies, examining it before finally taking a bite. I watched as he chewed slowly, his expression giving nothing away.

“Well?” I pressed.

He swallowed, licking a stray crumb off his bottom lip. “Not bad.”

I rolled my eyes again. “Gee, thanks for the glowing review.”

He chuckled, the sound low and almost… amused. “I wasn’t expecting you to actually be good at it.”

I scoffed. “Because God forbid I have any useful skills, right?”

He smirked but didn’t argue. Instead, he took another bite of the cookie, his gaze never leaving mine.

I shifted on my feet. “You’re really not going to let me in?”

“No.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why not? What are you hiding in there?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he finished the cookie, dusting his fingers off before picking up the glass of juice. He took a sip, his eyes still locked on mine.

“I don’t like repeating myself, Mariane,” he said finally. “You already know the rule.”

I crossed my arms. “And you don’t think it’s ridiculous?”

“No.”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “You’re impossible.”

He smirked. “So I’ve been told.”

We stood there in silence for a few moments, the tension between us thick and palpable.

Then, curiosity got the better of me. “You’re always in there,” I pointed out. “What exactly do you do in that study of yours?”

He leaned in slightly, his smirk deepening. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I scowled. “You are the most infuriating man I have ever met.”

“And yet, here you are, bringing me cookies,” he teased.

I groaned. “Forget it.” I turned on my heel, ready to walk away, but his voice stopped me.

“Mariane.”

I hesitated, glancing over my shoulder. “What?”

For a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze—something almost… thoughtful.

“Thank you,” he said simply.

I blinked, caught off guard.

It was the last thing I expected him to say.

Before I could respond, he smirked again and disappeared back into his study, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.

And just like that, the barrier was back up.

I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the closed door, my emotions a tangled mess.

Why did he always do this? Why did he push me away, only to pull me back in with the smallest gestures?

With a frustrated sigh, I turned and headed back to the kitchen.

Maybe next time, I wouldn’t bother bringing him cookies.

I curled up on the plush loveseat in our bedroom, a warm blanket draped over my legs as I enjoyed my cookies. They were soft, slightly chewy, and sweet—just how I liked them. Each bite was a small comfort, a distraction from the whirlwind of emotions I had felt throughout the day.

I absentmindedly scrolled through my phone, my thoughts drifting between Heinrich’s refusal to let me into his study and the strange revelation about my mother’s identity. The latter weighed heavily on my mind, filling me with a sense of unease.

Just as I was about to put my phone down, it buzzed with an incoming call.

Elizabeth.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I answered. “Hey, Liz.”

“Mariane!” she exclaimed, her voice full of energy. “I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me!”

I chuckled. “I could never forget about you.”

“Well, it sure feels like it! You’ve been completely MIA. I had to get your number from Hazel because you never replied to my texts.”

I sighed. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just… a lot has been happening.”

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, then her tone softened. “Yeah, I figured. I mean, you’re getting married in a few weeks. That’s insane, Mariane. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Neither can I.” I let out a dry laugh.

“How are you holding up?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

I hesitated before answering. “Honestly? I don’t know.”

“What’s going on?”

I glanced at the closed study door, wondering if Heinrich was still inside. “It’s just… overwhelming. Everything is happening so fast. The wedding planning, the dress, the guest list—”

“Oh my God, don’t even get me started on the dress!” Elizabeth interrupted. “I need to see what you picked. Please tell me it’s gorgeous.”

I smiled slightly. “It is. I made sure of that.”

She let out a dramatic sigh. “Thank God. I was worried Heinrich would force you into something boring and stiff.”

I snorted. “Oh, he tried.”

“I knew it!”

I laughed, shaking my head. “But I stood my ground.”

“That’s my girl!” she cheered.

I let the laughter fade before exhaling softly. “Liz… I found out something strange today.”

Her excitement dimmed. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated, debating whether or not I should tell her about my mother’s fake identity. But the words felt too heavy to say out loud, even to Elizabeth.

“Never mind,” I murmured. “It’s nothing.”

She didn’t push me, but I could tell she knew something was off. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “I know.”

“Alright. But don’t keep everything bottled up, okay? I worry about you.”

I smiled faintly. “Thanks, Liz.”

“Of course! Now, tell me—are you excited about the wedding at all? Or is this just one big nightmare?”

I sighed. “A little of both.”

Elizabeth groaned. “That’s not how it’s supposed to be! Your wedding should be magical! A day you actually want to remember.”

I remained silent, chewing on my lower lip.

“Mariane,” she continued, “if you really don’t want to go through with this, there are ways out.”

A bitter chuckle escaped me. “Not for me.”

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment before sighing. “Just promise me that if things get too bad, you’ll tell me. I don’t care what time it is—I’ll be there.”

My chest warmed at her words. “I promise.”

We talked for a little longer, discussing trivial things to lighten the mood. By the time we hung up, I felt a little less alone.

Waiting for Heinrich

I glanced at the time—11:42 PM.

Heinrich still hadn’t returned to the bedroom.

I frowned, shifting under the blanket. He had been in his study for hours now. What was he doing in there? What was so important that he couldn’t even come to bed?

I hated that I was even thinking about it.

Why did I care?

I tried to convince myself that I was just irritated—annoyed that he got to keep secrets while I was expected to go along with everything.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

I was waiting for him.

The realization made me scowl.

I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, determined to ignore the ache in my chest. I wasn’t going to let Heinrich Volkov consume my thoughts.

At some point, exhaustion won over, and I drifted into a restless sleep.

A soft click stirred me awake.

I blinked groggily, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room. The door had just closed, and Heinrich was standing near it, unbuttoning the cuffs of his sleeves.

It took me a second to remember where I was, and why I had fallen asleep on the loveseat instead of the bed.

He glanced at me, his green eyes narrowing slightly. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “I had trouble sleeping.”

His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he smirked. “Were you waiting for me?”

I scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

He chuckled, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto a nearby chair. “I don’t need to. Your actions speak for themselves.”

I rolled my eyes and stood, stretching my stiff limbs. “I don’t care what you do, Heinrich. You can spend all night in that stupid study for all I care.”

“Then why were you awake?” he challenged, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt.

I crossed my arms. “Like I said, I had trouble sleeping.”

His gaze flickered over me, as if assessing whether I was telling the truth.

I forced myself to keep my expression neutral.

After a moment, he shook his head. “You’re a terrible liar.”

I scowled. “And you’re an arrogant ass.”

His lips twitched in amusement. “That’s not news.”

I huffed, turning away from him and making my way toward the bed. “Goodnight, Heinrich.”

Before I could climb in, I felt a hand wrap around my wrist.

His grip was firm but not painful, his touch warm against my skin.

I looked up at him, startled. “What—”

He stared at me, his expression unreadable. “Next time, if you want to see me, just say it.”

I felt my breath hitch slightly.

I opened my mouth to deny it, to tell him that I wasn’t waiting for him, that I didn’t care.

But the words didn’t come.

Because, somehow, I knew he wouldn’t believe me.

His smirk returned, though there was something softer in his gaze. “Go to sleep, Mariane.”

He released my wrist and turned toward the bathroom, leaving me standing there, heart pounding.

I exhaled slowly, slipping into bed and pulling the covers up to my chin.

As much as I wanted to deny it, one thing was clear.

Heinrich Volkov was getting under my skin.