The minute a sleek car pulled up inside Richard's residence in Hills Castle, Stewardess Madeline came rushing forward, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"Finally," Tania muttered under her breath—just loud enough for Richard to hear—breaking the awkward silence that had stretched throughout the journey. Ever since they had left, he hadn't said a word. In fact, his grim expression had remained unchanged, leaving Tania wondering what had gone wrong.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, deciding to be the first to speak.
"It's nothing," he replied curtly, brushing her off.
Tania could tell something wasn't right, but unfortunately, she wasn't blessed with the ability to read minds—otherwise, things would have been much easier.
One possible reason wasn't far from the truth: this so-called contractual marriage.
"I don't approve of it either… but what choice do I have?" she thought, shrugging helplessly.
"Mr. Taylor, you're finally back and—"
"Stewardess Madeline," Richard interrupted sharply, cutting the elderly woman off. Tania found the tone rather insulting.
"Please show her to her room and arrange for her luggage to be brought in."
What the hell? Don't tell me you're just going to walk away like that, Tania fumed inwardly.
"Ugh," she sighed in frustration, watching him disappear into the mansion without even a glance back.
"Madam, are you coming in or not?" Madeline's voice came through with a gentle knock on the car window, urging her to step out.
"Ah… sure," Tania mumbled indecisively as she opened the door. It wouldn't be wise to make things difficult for the elderly woman, who had returned with a few staff members ready to carry her luggage from the trunk.
"Easy, my lady," Madeline said, offering her arm for support as Tania stepped onto the solid ground.
"Thank you," Tania replied politely.
"Oh please, no need to mention it. I'm at your service," Madeline said warmly.
"Pardon my manners—I'm Stewardess Madeline, but you can call me Maddie," she added with a slight bow and a cheerful smile.
"I'm—"
"Of course you're Mr. Richard's new bride. Who wouldn't know? The news is everywhere!" Madeline interrupted excitedly.
"Everywhere?" Tania echoed in disbelief as they walked toward the grand entrance.
"That's right! It's all over social media. Everyone has been anticipating your return from your honeymoon. Your pictures were posted online too—such gorgeous photos, I must say!" she paused for effect before continuing. "And guess what?"
"Please just say it already. I'm terrible at guessing," Tania replied, clearly not in the mood.
"Mr. Richard didn't look as grim in those pictures as he usually does."
Tania could hear the excitement in Madeline's voice. The elderly woman was genuinely happy that Richard had finally gotten married.
If only she knew this was all just an arrangement…
"Come in, I'll show you to your room," Madeline said, pushing open the large doors. "You must be tired—you deserve some rest."
Tania and Richard were complete opposites, yet they shared one peculiar similarity: they both valued their space and disliked unnecessary intrusion. Still, unlike Richard, Tania wasn't arrogant or overly cold.
Madeline, who had just met her, was already starting to like her. She had worried endlessly about what kind of woman her boss had married—it would have been a disaster to handle two people with the same difficult personality.
A few minutes later, Tania stood in front of a white door. She turned the knob and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room carefully.
From the soft coffee-colored sheets to the beige bed linen, the cream wardrobe, and the king-sized mirror positioned elegantly to one side—everything was perfectly arranged.
Her gaze landed on a bookshelf placed exactly where she would have imagined it in her dream room. The space was cozy, spacious, and comforting—everything she could have hoped for.
"How did he know I love reading?" she murmured in surprise, moving closer.
"I have no idea," Madeline replied. "I've never been here before myself. Do you like it?"
"Who wouldn't?" Tania said, turning with a small smile.
"Alright, I'll leave you to settle in. Take your time, and feel free to call if you need anything. I'll be downstairs."
With that, Madeline disappeared like a passing breeze, leaving Tania alone with her thoughts—and her new reality.
Days turned into weeks.
Tania slowly adjusted to her new home, getting to know the staff—though she often mixed up their names. Still, she felt closest to Madeline, perhaps because of her gentle and modest nature.
Bang!
A knock sounded on the door.
"Who's there?" Tania asked, sitting up against her pillows, a book in hand. She had been trying to pass time, though none of the books had truly captured her interest.
These books are all dry, overly historical, and archaic, she complained silently.
"Oh—please come in!" she added, realizing she had kept the person waiting.
The door opened, and a young woman stepped in gracefully, balancing a tray.
"Good morning, ma'am. Breakfast is ready," she said, placing it neatly on a side stool.
"Ah… breakfast," Tania said, tossing the covers aside and stepping down from the bed.
Her new life was already beginning to feel very real.
"I thought it would be better to bring it up since you didn't come downstairs," the girl explained. "By the way, I'm Betty."
"I see. Nice to meet you, Betty—and thank you," Tania said appreciatively. "You may leave now."
"Are you sure you don't need anything else?" Betty asked politely.
"No, I'm fine."
With that, Betty hurried off, heading back toward the kitchen.
Tania quickly brushed her teeth before returning to the tray. She sat down, staring at the neatly arranged meal in front of her.
A slow smile crept onto her face.
Her brand-new life… was already unfolding in ways she hadn't expected.