Elena barely slept.
The woman's words replayed in her head over and over.
His last wife didn't survive.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian's face calm, unreadable… like nothing had happened.
Like someone hadn't just accused him of something terrible.
Morning came too fast.
Elena walked downstairs, her chest tight, her mind full of questions she didn't know how to ask.
She stepped into the living room
And froze.
There was someone else in the house.
A man sat casually on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, like he owned the place. Dark hair, sharp features, and a relaxed confidence that didn't match the heavy atmosphere.
He looked up and smiled when he saw her.
"So," he said smoothly, "this must be the new wife."
Elena's heart skipped.
"You are…?" she asked carefully.
"Daniel," he said, standing up. "Adrian's right hand. His fixer. His problem solver. Depends who you ask."
Adrian entered the room just then.
His eyes flicked to Daniel, then to Elena.
"You're early," Adrian said.
Daniel grinned. "You're in trouble."
Adrian didn't react.
Elena felt like she was watching two people speak a language she didn't understand.
Daniel turned to her, lowering his voice slightly.
"You picked a dramatic time to join this family," he said.
Elena swallowed. "What does that mean?"
Daniel's smile faded just a little.
"It means," he said quietly, "last night wasn't random."
Elena's stomach tightened.
Adrian's voice cut in. "That's enough."
But Daniel wasn't done.
He looked at Elena one more time.
"Whatever you think this marriage is," he said, "it's bigger than you know."
Elena's pulse pounded.
"Daniel," Adrian warned.
Daniel raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine. I'll shut up."
But as he walked past her, he murmured just loud enough for her to hear
"Just… be careful."
Elena stood still, her thoughts racing.
The woman. The accident. The dead wife.
And now this man who clearly knew secrets Adrian wasn't telling.
She turned toward Adrian, her voice unsteady.
"Is it true?"
Silence filled the room.
Adrian didn't answer.
He just looked at her _ long, unreadable, distant.
And for the first time since signing the contract…
Elena wondered if she had just married into something she might not survive.