The grand ballroom was finally empty, the echoes of laughter and applause fading into silence. The celebration of their union had been lavish, the type of spectacle expected when two powerful families merged their fortunes. Yet for Augustus and Evelyn, it felt like the beginning of a sentence they’d serve together—bound by name, divided by everything else. 

As they stepped into their marital home for the first time, the tension was palpable. Augustus strode ahead, his posture stiff and his expression unreadable. Evelyn followed, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the cold, sprawling mansion. 

The butler greeted them with a formal bow. “Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, everything is prepared. If you need anything—” 

“We won’t,” Augustus interrupted curtly. “Leave us.” 

The butler hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting to Evelyn, who gave him a polite smile. He nodded and disappeared, leaving them in an oppressive silence. 

Augustus finally turned to Evelyn, his icy blue eyes locking onto hers. “Let’s get one thing straight,” he said, his voice low and clipped. “This marriage changes nothing between us. I don’t care what our families expect or what society thinks. You stay out of my life, and I’ll stay out of yours.” 

Evelyn tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips despite the sharpness of his tone. “You’ve made your stance abundantly clear, Augustus. But let me make mine. I don’t need you, nor do I want you. So don’t worry about me playing the role of your dutiful wife.” 

He narrowed his eyes at her, his jaw tightening. He was used to people cowering under his cold demeanor, but Evelyn was unshaken. Her confidence irritated him. 

“Good,” he said, turning on his heel. “Stay out of my way, Evelyn.” 

“I’ll try,” she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm. “But it’s a big house. Who knows? We might accidentally bump into each other.” 

He ignored her and disappeared into the guest wing, slamming the door behind him. 

--- 

Evelyn sighed as she walked into the master bedroom, her new sanctuary. The room was luxurious, with a canopy bed, intricate drapes, and a breathtaking view of the estate gardens. Yet it felt hollow, much like her life at this moment. 

She kicked off her heels and sank onto the edge of the bed, running a hand through her auburn curls. The day had been exhausting, not just physically but emotionally. Every smile she had plastered on her face, every polite laugh she had forced, felt like a lie. 

Her mind drifted to Augustus. She couldn’t understand how someone so handsome could be so infuriating. His arrogance, his coldness—it all grated on her nerves. Yet, there was something about him that intrigued her. His eyes, though icy, held a depth she couldn’t quite decipher. 

*Stop it, Evelyn,* she chastised herself. *This isn’t a love story. He’s just an obstacle you have to endure.* 

With a resigned sigh, she slipped out of her gown and into a silk robe, deciding to take refuge in the en-suite bathroom. The warm water of the bath soothed her, washing away the tension of the day. 

--- 

Meanwhile, in the guest wing, Augustus sat in an armchair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He stared out the window, his mind a storm of emotions he refused to acknowledge. 

He hated this—being trapped in a situation he couldn’t control. His life had always been meticulously planned, every move calculated. And now, he was married to a woman he barely knew, tied to her by obligations he didn’t ask for. 

His thoughts shifted to Katherine. She had been oddly supportive of the marriage, reassuring him that they’d find a way to make it work. But something about her words had felt off, as if she were too eager to brush it aside. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. Katherine loved him. Didn’t she? 

And then there was Evelyn. She was a puzzle, one he had no interest in solving. Yet her defiance intrigued him. She didn’t cower before him like others did, and she had a fire in her that made her… unforgettable. 

*Focus on what matters,* he told himself. *This marriage is nothing more than a formality.* 

--- 

Hours later, their paths crossed in the hallway. Evelyn had been exploring the mansion, her curiosity outweighing her exhaustion. She wasn’t expecting to run into Augustus, who had emerged from his study with his shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. 

They froze, staring at each other in the dimly lit corridor. 

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, breaking the silence. 

“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern,” he replied, his voice cold. 

Evelyn smirked. “Charming as always.” 

He crossed his arms, towering over her. “Why are you wandering around at this hour?” 

“I live here, don’t I?” she quipped. “Or are there rules against me being in my own home?” 

He clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. “This isn’t a game, Evelyn. Don’t try to provoke me.” 

Her smile widened. “Why not? It’s the only entertainment I’ve got around here.” 

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “You’d do well to remember your place.” 

“And you’d do well to remember,” she shot back, her green eyes blazing, “that I’m not some puppet you can intimidate. I didn’t choose this marriage either, Augustus. So maybe, just maybe, we should stop trying to make each other miserable.” 

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Their gazes locked, the air between them charged. Augustus was the first to break it, stepping back and turning away. 

“Stay out of my way,” he said, his voice low. 

Evelyn watched him disappear down the hall, her heart pounding. She didn’t know what to make of him—or the strange tension that had just passed between them. 

--- 

That night, they both lay in their respective beds, their minds restless. Evelyn stared at the ceiling, wondering how long she could keep up this charade. Augustus sat in the dark, his thoughts drifting to Evelyn despite himself. 

Neither of them knew it yet, but this fragile truce was only the beginning of a journey that would change them both forever.