Chapter 45
Zane’s POV
She’s asleep in the chair beside the bed when they finally clear me for discharge.
Curled slightly to one side, her shoes are kicked off and wedding dress pooled around her. Her arms are crossed even in sleep, like she doesn’t fully trust where she’s resting. Her head is tilted forward, chin tucked, her long lashes resting against her cheeks.
She looks smaller in this position.
I clear my throat loudly in an effort to wake her up, she only stirs but doesn’t wake.
“Elaine p>
Nothing.
I tap the arm of the chair with my knuckles. “Wake up little spitfire. We’re leaving.” I called her that name once because it fits she’s a spit fire and she’s so little compared to me so… it kinda fit but hearing her say she doesn’t like the name is the major reason I’m going to only be calling her that moving forward.
Her eyes open immediately.
She’s awake and alert in a single second, spine straightening as she looks around, then up at me. The sharpness in her gaze tells me she hasn’t forgotten where she is or why.
“Already?” she asks.
“Yes p>
She glances at the IV stand beside the bed, then back at me. “You’re not dead. Congratulations p>
“Disappointed p>
She shrugs. “Mildly p>
She stands, a little stiff, smoothing the front of her dress with quick, irritated movements. There’s a crease along the waist where she must’ve been sitting awkwardly. She doesn’t bother fixing it properly.
“Your brothers left,” I tell her as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
Her mouth tightens. “I know p>
The nurse returns with paperwork, an excuse already prepared for the press about why the reception was canceled just a reaction to medication we lied. A minor scare, nothing to see here.
Elaine doesn’t say a word. She signs where they tell her to sign without reading anything. The pen scratching harder than necessary.
When we finally leave the ward, she walks a step ahead of me, shoulders squared, chin up, nott t looking back, not waiting.
Fine.
The driver is already outside.
Elaine reaches for the door automatically, then hesitates.
She remembers.
I see it in the way her hand pauses midair.
She’s married now.
She turns slowly and looks at me. “We’re going to p>
“My house,” I say.
Her jaw flexes. “Right p>
She gets in without another word.
The door shuts and the car pulls away from the hospital curb.
Silence fills the space immediately.
She stares out the window, arms folded, knee bouncing once before she physically forces it still by placing a hand on ti. The city blurs past, lights smearing across the glass. Her reflection looks angry, tired and beautiful in a way that’s going to be a problem if I let it, even though her wedding makeup is all smeared from sleep and today’s stres
I don’t speak.
I don’t need to.
If she thinks the silence will bother me, she’s wrong, Silence is a tool for me, I use it in negotiations, In hostile meetings, and even in other areas of my endeavors if you get what I mean.
She shifts after five minutes.
Then ten.
Then she sighs sharply and looks at me. “You’re enjoying this p>
I don’t look away from the road ahead. “Enjoying what p>
“This.” She gestures vaguely between us. “The brooding and acting like I don’t exist p>
“You exist,” I say. “You’re just not entitled to conversation p>
Her lips press together. “You’re insufferable p>
“And you’re impulsive,” I reply. “You nearly put me in the ground today p>
She smirks faintly. “Nearly p>
I glance at her then. “Do you feel accomplished p>
She meets my gaze without flinching. “. Accomplishment wasn’t on the list p>
Good answer.
The rest of the drive passes without another word.
My estate comes into view just as the sky starts to darken. The house lit from within, every window glowing.
She watches it approach, her expression unreadable.
The car stops.
Before the driver can open the door, Elaine is already moving. She steps out quickly, heels clicking against stone, dress gathered in one fist so she doesn’t trip. She doesn’t wait for me.
Staff are lined up near the entrance. A quiet, respectful welcome for my bride, with their heads bowed and eyes lowered
Elaine stiffens when she sights them.
She hates this part, this elaborate welcome, the reminder of where she is and who I am.
I catch up to her in three long strides and grip her elbo tightly.
She sucks in a breath and tries to pull free form my hold. “You’re hurting me, you idiot p>
“Slow down,” I say under my breath. “You’re not storming into my house like a fugitive. And watch your mouth little spitfire, I might enjoy your little banter but I don’t appreciate being called names especially not infront of my staff p>
She twists her arm, fails, then glares up at me. “Let me go p>
“Now smile,” I murmur. “Or do you want them thinking the marriage already failed p>
Her lips curl into something sharp and fake. “I’ll smile when you do p>
I lean closer. “Careful p>
She lowers her voice. “Or what p>
“Or you’ll find out how much I dislike being challenged in public p>
A shiver runs through her arm.
I hate that I notice.
She straightens and pulls herself free as soon as we’re through the doors, moving fast again, determined to get away from me. Her heels echo down the hall as the staff disperse.
I watch her go, pulse steady, mind already reorganizing.
At least it’s done now.
The wedding, my obligation. Half of my duty fulfilled.
The second half which is children is not something I intend to rush into. Elaine doesn’t know it yet, but the rest of my inheritance is contingent on an heir. One child. And I get tje whole company in my name.
In due time.
So I’ll have to proceed with the rest of my plan.
Lure jer to consummate our marriage and bear a child for me.