Chapter 2
The door opened.
Alexander stood in the entryway, shadows and light playing across him. He wore a black silk robe, the collar just a bit open, showing off his pale collarbone.
He froze, hand still in his hair, his eyes locking onto my rain-soaked face, a faint frown appearing.
"Claire?" Alexander said.
His voice was as cool as ever, but when I was drowning in despair, it felt like grabbing onto a piece of driftwood.
"Alex..." I managed to say, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably, my voice shaking so much I could barely speak. "Please, help me."
He didn't say anything, just watched me in silence.
His gaze was bottomless, like he could see straight through me.
I thought he was going to turn me away, and my heart dropped, sinking into despair.
But in the next moment, he reached out and pulled me inside.
With a heavy thud, the door slammed shut, shutting out the storm and my despair.
He pushed me into the bathroom, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Take a shower. Change your clothes."
Hot water poured over me, and only then did I feel like I was alive again.
On the bathroom shelf sat a brand-new set of women's pajamas, the tags still attached.
They were my size.
I didn't have time to think. I changed clothes and stepped out. Alexander was sitting on the sofa, a steaming cup of sugar water sitting on the coffee table in front of him.
"Drink it," he said, his voice curt.
I cradled the cup in my hands, taking small sips. The hot liquid slid down my throat, chasing away some of the chill.
"The Nolans want to marry me off to an old man," I rasped, then explained everything that happened.
When I finished, the room fell silent for a long moment.
Alexander lounged on the sofa, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the armrest. The dim light threw mottled shadows across his face.
I couldn't see his expression clearly; my heart was in knots.
"So," he finally said, his voice unreadable, "you came to me because you want me to help you get out of this marriage?"
"Yes!" I nodded frantically, clutching at him like a lifeline. "Alex, you're the only one who can help me! I'll do whatever it takes, just..."
"Move in," he cut me off.
"What?" I froze, caught off guard.
He looked up, his eyes locking onto mine, and I couldn't even think about saying no.
"From today on, you're moving in with me," he repeated. "That's the deal if you want my help."
I was left speechless.
Seriously? That was his condition?
I thought he'd make me work myself to the bone, or hit me with some crazy business deal.
"Why?" I blurted out, not even thinking.
"I don't like my things being left somewhere anyone could just lay their hands on them," he dodged my question, but his tone was so matter-of-fact I couldn't even argue.
His things?
Since when did I become his?
But I wasn't in any position to ask or say no.
"Okay," I heard myself say.
He seemed satisfied, and a ghost of a smile flashed across his lips.
"Go get some sleep. Guest room's upstairs, first door on the left," he said.
I went upstairs in a daze and opened the door.
The room's decor, from the color of the bedding to the trinkets on the desk, was exactly my style.
It felt as if this room had always been meant for me.
I lay awake all night on the soft bed.
I thought I was just trading one cage for a temporary safe haven.
Little did I know, I'd just left the shallows and dived straight into a shark's den.