"What the hell?!" I exploded when I saw the picture.

I kept scrolling through, and it was all I could see for the last minute, covering everywhere, even outside Hightower City.

What the heck was it doing all the way in Midnight Times? Did it get to Midnight City?

I was fuming when I stopped at the picture, zooming in on it. It was the wedding photo of Zade and me, taken inside the cathedral, but it’s a fucking photoshop!

Because one, I had clearly ruined my dress, but here I looked like a bride from a royal wedding, and two the calla lilies were intact, and don’t get me started on the pose.

We were... kissing.

He practically photoshopped the whole thing, and dare I say it looked so fucking real? What the hell?

Hightower Daily was taking this story in waves, and every reporter had something to say in their ridiculous heading.

Couple of the Century!

The Wedding That Stopped the World!

The Most Talked-About Wedding of the Decade!

Billionaire Zade Salvero, CEO of Monarch Group, Has Tied The Knot!

Bachelor Zade Salvero... No longer On The Waiting list!

With every scroll, my mouth just kept going wider and wider. So this was what the contract truly meant... in the eyes of the public, we are a real couple.

The entire public probably thought we were on some island having our honeymoon, having no idea, I was trapped in this household, and it was nothing but a sham marriage.

I clenched my phone hard when I read a particular article. What’s this now?

A Perfect Match Or Perfect Timing? Inside The Bride’s Sudden Rise.

Are they seriously labeling me a gold digger?

I went straight for the comments, and trust me, it was a war house there. It started with my father’s sudden elevation in his shipping company, and lovely commentators showed their interest.

I’m being sarcastic.

USER@@@: Dead or resurrected? I bet there was an agenda there.

USER###: All that glitters isn’t gold. I’m telling you guys this wedding is far too suspicious.

USER&&&: Isn’t there a rumor that the Morris’ and Salveros’ had a history? Something about a daughter?

USER!!!: Hey! Didn’t Annabeth Morri die from a sickness? What are you talking about?

USER000: There’s a rumor that the Salveros has something to do with it. I don’t know much about it.

To the rest of the citizens of Hightower City, who didn’t belong to the dark world of crime and violence, they knew nothing about what really lurked or who really ruled the city. So Annabeth’s death was treated differently.

Before I could read through the page, an error popped up. With a dozen refreshes, still nothing, almost like the article no longer existed.

Puzzled, I kept scrolling for the last hour and only found positive articles as if the bad ones had magically disappeared.

Nothing was ever that perfect, not even by others who thought they knew all. They always had something to say, both positive and negative.

This was Zade’s doing, alright. He must be really eager to sell the image of a lovely wedded couple and get rid of them. He doesn’t want anyone to question the union.

He claimed he needed a wife... could it be it wasn’t just his status as Don but as the CEO of Monarch Group too?

Grrrr!

I groaned, rubbing my stomach. That was a really mean growl. I had barely eaten more than a few bites for the last few days. Now I wish I could have at least finished dinner. It was too late for that now.

I moved my eyes to the clock made of dark, polished wood. It’s midnight. I angled my head toward the door.

"Just sleep it off, Ana."

My room was the safest place in this manor and my haven. I’d just wait until morning.

Grrrr!

On second thought, I can’t. I’m gonna keel over and die if I don’t eat something. I took my silk robe and put it on, checking my sleeping babies before leaving my room.

The soft click echoed when I locked the door, the scariest sound at the moment. It’s so quiet.

I faced the hallway, lit by wall sconces, soft lights casting long shadows along the walls. That isn’t scary at all. The last thing I wanted was roaming this manor, at night... alone.

I looked behind, my mind playing tricks on me with the shadows. I released a shaky breath, having a little bit of courage knowing I had my switchblade with me.

I moved, more quickly than slowly. I had no idea where the kitchen was, but my best guess was the dining area... I’ve been there, so I could easily navigate my way through.

It felt eerily odd wandering this big place, and my head kept turning toward every corner as if some monster would emerge. That was childish thinking, but not if you live with actual monsters.

I finally got to the dining location, recognizing the specific antiques hanging around. I moved forward until I got to the back area.

I stopped in my tracks when the windows rattled from the strong wind coming outside. I gulped as I kept walking, more shaken than ever, spooked by the lightning in the sky.

After a few more turns, I made it.

"There it is..." I mumbled, stepping into the grand kitchen.

Spacious as expected, yet I’m amazed by how much of it has been modernized. Marble countertops, a central island used for prepping, cabinets in dark wood, and high-end appliances.

Everything was kept spotless, and I figured the kitchen staff must have finished up for the day. Now to check if there was something to cook other than just decoration.

I heard my phone vibrate. I pulled it out, my heart racing when I caught a message icon.

It could be Jacob. Maybe he finally reached me! 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A smile tugged on my lips as I quickly unlocked my phone, then dropped just as fast.

UNKNOWN: What are you doing late at night... little kitten.