I’ve never been to the old quarter... it carried more of Hightower’s originality, and it felt like I was taking a trip through time, except every view held that touch of high-end luxury. Tall, aged stone buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, dim streetlights, and shops tucked in corners.

The harbour quarter was usually louder because of the ships, seagulls, and cargoes. Here, it was quiet.

I’ve always wanted to come to this quarter, but not like this. Not while wearing a ring like a freaking doll.

"Yes, work with that. Other measures can be taken if necessary."

I dragged my eyes away from the window to Zade sitting beside me. He had been on the phone ever since we left the cathedral.

He might as well convert this car into an office because it seemed as if he was going through various meetings in one sitting.

What wrenched my stomach more was his smoking; if the windows weren’t slightly open, I’d have choked on whatever that was. His eyes were more in slits than they were earlier, and I pondered how he could still speak sense without downright gibberish.

Zade tucked the cigar between his lips and ran a hand through his dark blond hair, making it messier, almost covering the clean shave at the back.

He’d ditched the tie right after the wedding, the buttons of his dress shirt undone. He sat relaxed, thighs apart as if he hadn’t made this day hellish for me.

"Hmm..." he hummed, like whatever was said on the line made his delight spill. "Take a few fingers..." His eyes connected with mine, and I quickly looked away. "People tend to listen after that."

I want this ride to end as soon as possible.

I’m worried about Jacob. We left the cathedral soon after, and I couldn’t look for him. I don’t even have my phone on me or any of my personal effects.

Zade tapped the ashes of his cigar at the compartment between us; there was a gold ashtray embedded there like the sole purpose of his habits.

When the car made a turn, my eyes went back to the window as we entered a wide, stretched green land. It was sunset, so I could make out the details. I was told the Salveros had acres of land that covered half of the old quarter. It was true.

Just how big is this place? It might as well be a country.

It took a while before we reached the estate gates. I saw no guards, and it made me wonder. There should be tons of security around guarding these large plots, more importantly, because of his status. Odd.

The gates stood still for a moment... before they began to part.

The car drove through the winding driveway, tall trees lining both sides. It’s so quiet that it was almost unreal. I could hear the soft rustle of leaves and the scent of fresh air coming in through the crack.

The car pulled up at the open courtyard, where there was an aged stone water fountain of three tiers.

The instant the door was opened for me, I got out, taking a whiff of revivified air after breathing all that shit in. I eyed the manor built from dark, weathered stone, broad with high windows.

It looks haunted. I won’t be surprised if ghosts are wandering inside there. It’s sickening to grapple with the fact that I was gonna be living here from now on, especially when those awful things about Annabeth were heavily implied here, and possibly where she died.

"Ana."

I turned to Elliot, walking up to me, fixing his tie. After everything, he was still spotless and looked as if he could pull off a model runway without any trouble.

Good genes are wasted on this family.

"I told you not to call me Ana," I said sternly.

A faint smile crossed his lips. "Or would you prefer, Mrs. Salvero?"

"No thanks."

He can call me whatever he wants as long as I don’t hear that title.

Elliot eyed the thin bandage wrapped around my palm. "I told you he was in a bad mood."

I clenched my skirt, ignoring the pain that shot through me, but I welcomed it because it was the only thing keeping me sane right now.

"You should get that looked at."

I ignored him as I brushed past him to my father, just getting out of the car.

"Is Jacob okay?"

Father was taken aback by my question, shooting a nervous stare behind me as if someone was listening.

"Ana..." He began sweetly, stroking my arms tenderly. "You’re a married woman now. Your mother may not be here to see this and give her blessing, but all I can say is that you have the duties of a wife to perform. Ensure you do that."

"Spare me the lecture. Just tell me if Jacob’s okay?" I stood on business.

He grabbed my arm and led me towards the grand steps.

"Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?" he hissed quietly to me, eyeing my wedding dress. "You ruined such an expensive dress, acted like a spoiled brat at the wedding, and even took up a scissor? What has gotten into you?"

Is he seriously asking me that question right now?

"What has gotten into me is the fact that you married me to that murderer just to fill your pockets."

For a minute, it seemed as if he was gonna raise a hand at me, but he thought otherwise. There were stares punctured on us, mostly coming from Elliot, who lurked at the corner.

"For once in your life, don’t act selfishly..." Father chose words instead, as if that was any better. "Don Salvero has been generous enough."

"Generous? He threatened Jacob’s life."

"Because of what you did!"

I ripped my arm out of his grip. "Jacob had no part in this. Don Salvero played a dirty game."

He rubbed his temples like I was giving him a headache. He was the one acting selfishly here!

"Listen to me, Anastasia..." He raised a finger in warning. "You’ll behave yourself, starting now. You’re a Salvero, time to start acting like it."

Suddenly, a smile curled on his lips when he saw Zade coming towards us.

"If you don’t behave yourself, neither of us will live to see the morning," he added through clenched teeth.

The least he could do was fear money the same way he fears Zade, then we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.

Greedy old leprechaun.

"Don Salvero!" he laughed. "Isn’t this amazing? We’re family now."

Gag me with a spoon.

Zade took off his suit jacket, handing it to Elliot. An unlit cigar hung between his lips, eyes lazily on my father, before it fell on me.

I peeled my focus off him, choosing something else in the distance to look at instead of those lifeless eyes, but his hand rested beneath my chin and tilted my face back to his direction.

"You look famished."

No, slithering asshole. I wanna rip your fucking throat out. Can’t you tell the difference?

"Dinner will be soon."

Why does that spell something different?

It gave me the creeps and only worsened as he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me up the steps to the entrance door, already left open.

The lavish foyer was enormous. High ceilings, a grand staircase curving upwards, polished stone floors, and a chandelier suspended to the painted ceiling, casting a soft light.

It still looked haunted. A gothic kinda vibe. The Salveros have been here since the city’s foundation, and this manor was generations of old wealth. The poor maids who had to clean up this whole place would swear their asses off.

"Like it?" Zade asked, and I could feel his eyes burning at my side profile.

"..."

"You haven’t said a word since the wedding."

Does he expect me to?

I chewed the inside of my mouth when he forced my chin towards his direction, but I stared at his lips instead of his eyes. The cold sensation of his rings resulted in a ghostly chill.

"Are you worried about Jacob?"

I locked eyes with him instantly and gave myself away.

His lips tipped wickedly, and I had the sudden urge to claw that fucking smirk off.

"What’s the matter?" He leaned close. "Your eyes are bloodthirsty."

"Don."

I lost focus as the sharp click of heels echoed. A woman with bleached blonde hair, wearing a red body-hugging sleeveless dress that reached her knees, stepped forward.

Her nude heels tapped softly in an elegant stride. Red lips curved in a slow, sensual smirk.