Chapter 1

My new husband, Charles Sterling, was a tsundere with the softest heart and the hardest mouth.

The day we got married, Charles told me I was average-looking and that he would never fall for me.

That very night, he crept into my bed. I kicked him right out.

He tried to save face. "We are married. How is that 'creeping'? If we don't sleep together, people will talk."

Later, he announced in his group chat that he would rather turn into an animal than spare me a second glance.

Charles: [Donna definitely wants my body. I'm going to seduce her on purpose, then divorce her and make her regret everything.

[Don't worry. I have my own thoughts.]

The next thing I knew, he showed up in sheer mesh, wearing a collar, standing right in front of me. "Donna, you like this, don't you?"

*****

On our wedding night, Charles was totally wasted. After the guests left, he sprawled out on the couch, his tie hanging loose. His suit jacket was tossed carelessly on the floor, and his legs were propped up on the coffee table.

I brought over some hangover soup. His eyes were red at the corners as he stared at me, then he muttered something under his breath and let out a mocking laugh, "Donna."

I placed the hangover soup on the table and looked up at him.

He stared at me with a strange look, then lifted his foot and tapped the jacket on the floor with his shoe. His chin tilted up, and a smirk curled at his lips. "Pick it up."

I paused, not moving.

"Are you deaf?" He arched his brow. "I said, pick it up."

I ignored that strange tone of his, bent down, picked up the jacket, and placed it on the couch.

He watched as I finished, his gaze lingering on me before he let out a laugh.

It was a soft laugh, laced with mockery. "Donna Quinn, you finally got your wish, huh? You married into the Sterling family, became Mrs. Sterling. Happy now?"

He stood up, pulled me over, and pinched my chin, tilting it up and inspecting me from all angles, as if he was judging something. "My mom thinks you're a good girl, but honestly? You're nothing special. Not much to look at, either."

His boozy breath hit my face, and his voice was rough and muffled.

I stared at him, silent.

Maybe he thought I was too boring, and he wasn't interested in me. He let go of his hand and leaned back on the sofa.

He shot a glance at the hangover soup on the table. "I'm not eating that crap."

I didn't mind. He didn't want it, whatever. It was only honey water, nothing special.

As I reached to take it away, he suddenly changed his mind. He grabbed my wrist and used my hand to drink the hangover soup, sip by sip.

He stared at me, never taking his eyes off me.

He downed it all at once, then let out a loud burp. "Don't think you can run to my mom and complain I'm bullying you. Don't bother with those sneaky little moves anymore."

Before I could say anything, he snapped, like I'd hit a nerve. "Listen up. I didn't marry you. It was the Sterling family who bought you. I'm never going to fall for you, so don't get your hopes up.

"The Sterling family's been a big deal in Riverfory for three generations. Everyone here calls me Mr. Sterling. Whatever I want, it's in my bed by tomorrow."

He leaned in, his warm breath fanning my face. "But guess what? My mom had to shove you into my life."

He really put emphasis on the word "you."

"Hey, Miss Perfect, why don't you show me how you managed to charm my mom, huh?" His voice was low and rough, laced with a flirty, enticing tone.

Honestly, Charles was seriously good-looking, especially that little mole at the corner of his eye. It made my heart itch.

And those muscles straining under his shirt, the way his chest showed when he moved, my fingers were practically itching to touch him.

Before I knew it, my hand was already reaching out to touch him.

"Donna, you... you... you naughty girl. Do you know what you're doing?" Charles spluttered, suddenly snapping back to reality. He was stammering, his face turning bright red.

I blinked, my hand still on his chest, and couldn't help giving it a couple of squeezes.

I was usually a decent woman. My hand had a mind of its own. Who told him to look so irresistible, flaunting those pecs to tease me?'

Watching him run off all flustered and awkward, I sighed. Seriously? That was all it took? He got flustered so easily. What a softie.

When Margaret said Charles liked me, I never bought it.

He always had his nose in the air. Margaret must've been way off.