Chapter 2: Welcome to Your New Life

Sera's POV

The guests were still buzzing with excitement—or shock, depending on who you asked—as Étienne led me away from the main house. My new husband. Jesus, that was going to take some getting used to.

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked, trying to keep up with his long strides. The wedding dress wasn't exactly designed for hiking through vineyards, and the heels were already killing my feet.

"Home," he said simply, not bothering to look back.

The main château stood behind us like something out of a French magazine—all those perfectly lit windows, the manicured gardens, the whole nine yards of old money elegance.

We kept walking.

And walking.

Past the pristine guest cottages where I figured the family probably put up their fancy visitors. Past what looked like converted stables that were probably worth more than my childhood home. Past everything that screamed "this is where rich people live" and into what was clearly the working part of the estate.

'Okay, this is getting weird.'

The buildings here were older, more practical. Stone and timber construction that looked like it had been built to last, not to impress. We finally stopped in front of a two-story building that looked like... well, like employee housing.

"Here we are," Étienne said, producing a key.

I stared at the modest building, then back at the glowing château in the distance. "This is... where you live?"

"Where we live," he corrected, pushing open the front door.

The inside was clean but basic. Hardwood floors, simple furniture, everything functional but nothing fancy. Through the windows, I could see the lights of the main house twinkling like stars I couldn't reach.

"What the fuck?" I said before I could stop myself. "This is where we're supposed to live?"

Étienne finally turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised. "Is there a problem?"

"Is there a—" I gestured wildly at the simple living room, then toward the window where the château gleamed in the distance. "You're the eldest son! The heir! I thought we'd be living in... I don't know, something a little more..."

"Château-like?" His voice was dry.

"Yeah! Exactly!" The words tumbled out before my brain could catch up. "I mean, when someone marries the Dubois heir, they don't expect to end up in what looks like the foreman's quarters!"

Something dark flickered across his features. "Inheritance and living arrangements are two different things, Sera. I live here because it's convenient for work and because I prefer the distance from all the family drama."

'Family drama. Right. Like the fact that his stepbrother just ditched me at the altar.'

I sank onto the couch—a perfectly nice couch, but still just a couch, not some priceless antique. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just... today has been a lot."

"I imagine it has been."

He moved to the small kitchen and poured two glasses of water, handing me one. His fingers brushed mine as I took it, and I noticed his hands were rougher than I'd expected. Working hands.

"This arrangement doesn't have to be permanent," he said suddenly.

I looked up. "What do you mean?"

"The marriage. In a year or two, when things settle down, we can divorce quietly. I'll make sure you're financially secure." He paused. "Just... not right now."

My heart did something weird—like it dropped and lifted at the same time. Relief that this wasn't a life sentence, but also... something else I didn't want to examine too closely.

"Why not right now?"

"Because I have to clean up Lucien's mess first." His voice turned bitter. "Again."

Before I could ask what that meant, he set his glass down with a sharp click. "Speaking of which, I need to pack. I'm leaving for Paris in the morning."

"Tomorrow?" The word came out sharper than I intended. "But we just got married like two hours ago."

"I have urgent business to handle. Legal issues that can't wait."

"What kind of legal issues?"

He was already moving toward what I assumed was the bedroom. "The kind that Lucien created when he decided to disappear instead of facing his responsibilities."

I followed him, my curiosity overriding any sense of propriety. The bedroom was as simple as the rest of the place—a big bed, a dresser, a chair by the window. Étienne was pulling clothes from the dresser and folding them with military precision.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked.

"A few months, probably." He didn't look up from his packing. "Maybe longer."

"A few months?" I sat heavily on the edge of the bed. "So I'm basically going to be alone here for months?"

That made him pause. For just a second, his hands stilled on a white dress shirt. "You'll have everything you need. Henri will take care of you."

I laughed, but it came out hollow. "Great. My new husband abandons me to go clean up his stepbrother's shit the day after our wedding. This just keeps getting better."

He turned around then, his gray eyes intense. "I never asked for this situation, Sera. But I'm dealing with it the best I can."

"Right. Sorry." I rubbed my temples. "It's just... fuck, this whole day has been insane."

We sat in silence for a minute, him packing, me trying to process that I was married to a man I barely knew who was about to disappear for months to handle problems I didn't understand.

'This is what you signed up for,' I reminded myself. 'A business arrangement. Not a real marriage.'

But when Étienne finished packing and picked up his suitcase, heading for the door, something in my chest tightened.

He paused in the doorway, his back to me. "If you need anything while I'm gone, tell Henri. He'll make sure you're taken care of."

"Where are you going to sleep tonight?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

He went very still. "The office has a couch."

"You don't have to—"

"Yes, I do." He turned slightly, and for a brief moment, I saw something vulnerable in his expression. Something that made him look younger, less controlled. "This is all new for both of us. We don't need to rush into... anything."

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

He started to leave again, then stopped. When he turned back this time, his face was serious—almost severe.

"Sera." His voice carried a warning that made my skin prickle. "While I'm gone, don't go looking for Lucien. Don't try to contact him, don't listen to anything he might tell you if he contacts you first."

"Why would I want to contact the asshole who left me at the altar?"

Something shifted in his expression—relief? "Just... promise me. No matter what he says, no matter what he offers, stay away from him."

The intensity in his voice sent a chill down my spine. "Étienne, what aren't you telling me?"

He stared at me for a long moment, conflict clear in his storm-gray eyes. Then he seemed to make a decision, and the walls went back up.

"Nothing. Just remember what I said."

And then he was gone, leaving me alone in the simple bedroom that was apparently my new home.