Chapter 3 Separate Worlds

The air between them was chilly and the walls of Adrian's estate looked huge as the place grew silent.

Setting her suitcase down in the stately entryway, Lena stood at the doorway of her new life, her hands shaking. Her bridal gown still clung to her body with its exquisite lace.

She turned to look at her husband, who was standing a few feet away, his eyes hardened with a bitterness that appeared to be getting stronger by the moment.

"It is beautiful," Lena said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes, taken in the mansion.

Adrian didn't respond right away. He stood still, staring at her as though she were an unwelcome guest in his home.

His dark hair fell messily over his brow, and his hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his tailored suit, but his posture remained rigid, his shoulders tense with unspoken contempt.

Finally, he spoke, "You'll be staying in the guest room."

Lena blinked, taken aback. "What? The guest room?"

"Yes." His gaze met hers briefly before flickering away, his lips twisting into a sneer. "You didn't think we'd be sharing a bed, did you?"

The coldness in his voice stung, and Lena's heart sank. She had known this wouldn't be easy, that Adrian wasn't the same man he once was, but hearing those words made the reality of her situation settle deep in her bones.

This wasn't just a marriage in name only; it was a prison sentence, and Adrian was determined to keep her locked away.

"I thought..." Lena trailed off, unsure of what to say. She had thought maybe, just maybe, with time, things would change. That perhaps Adrian would soften, that they could work through the pain of the past. But now, standing before him, she realized just how naïve she had been.

Adrian took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as they bore into hers. "Don't mistake this for anything other than what it is, Lena. You and I...we're nothing. This marriage is a necessity, and the fact that it gives me joy ruining your perfect picture marriage you have always had as a teenager. And don't you ever forget that."

Lena swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. Her chest felt tight, like her ribs were caving in on her heart, squeezing it until there was no room left for comfort.

"Adrian, please," she said quietly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "I know you hate me, but can't we at least try to..."

"Try?" Adrian's laugh was harsh, bitter. "You want to try? After everything?"

His sudden anger made Lena flinch, and she took a step back, her hand instinctively going to her chest as if to shield herself from the blow she knew was coming, not a physical one, but the emotional lash of his words.

Adrian's expression darkened, his eyes filled with a cold fury. "Don't act like you don't know why I hate you, Lena. Don't stand there and pretend you're innocent."

Her throat tightened, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze any longer. She didn't know what to say. He had hated her since that night, since Victoria's death, and no matter how many times she tried to explain that she didn't remember what had happened, he refused to believe her.

"I've tried to be patient," Adrian said, his voice low and dangerous. "I've tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. But the truth is, I know you're hiding something. I know you're not telling me the whole story."

"I'm not-" Lena started, but Adrian cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand.

"Enough," he snapped. "I don't want to hear it."

What could she say that she hadn't already said a hundred times before? He wouldn't believe her, no matter how much she pleaded for him to understand.

Adrian turned away from her, his shoulders rigid as he walked toward the stairs. "Put your things in the guest room," he said over his shoulder, his tone final. "We're done here."

Lena stood motionless as he climbed the steps, her thoughts racing. Adrian was taking every step away from her, and it felt like she was slipping into quicksand with the ground disintegrating beneath her. Never before has she felt so alone.

She watched his leaving form as her eyes strayed to the big staircase, briefly wondering how they had gotten to be here, two people who had been so close, now stuck in an accusation-filled, resentful marriage. How had things ended up here?

Later that evening, Lena sat by herself in the guest room Adrian had given her, feeling very much alone. The bed felt too big, too vacant.

The linens were new and pristine, and regardless of how many times she shifted, she couldn't get comfortable. She stared up at the ceiling, the shadows dancing in the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

She reminisced about the past, about the Adrian she had known in the past; the kind, devoted, and protective Adrian. The man who used to be her confidant and friend. But that man was gone, and his place was taken by a man overcome with sorrow and rage. Someone who treated her as though she were the enemy.

Lena rubbed her weary eyes and moaned. She had trouble falling asleep. Her thoughts refused to let her sleep. Her mind was filled with Adrian's previous remarks, all of which were tinged with resentment and poison. "You can tell lies to other people, but not to me. I am aware that you were present that evening and that you bear responsibility.

A knock at the door startled her, and she sat up quickly, her heart racing. For a moment, she thought it might be Adrian, but when the door slowly creaked open, it was one of the house staff, a young maid with a kind face.

"Mrs. Calloway?" the maid said softly, stepping into the room. "I brought you some tea. I thought it might help you sleep."

Lena smiled weakly, though the gesture didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

The maid placed the tray on the bedside table, her eyes sympathetic. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Lena shook her head, glancing down at her hands. "No... I'm fine."

The maid hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to say more, but then she simply nodded and left the room, leaving Lena alone once more.

Lena wrapped her hands around the warm cup of tea, feeling the heat seep into her skin, though it did little to chase away the chill that had settled deep in her bones.

She took a small sip, the warmth easing the tightness in her throat, but it wasn't enough to soothe the ache in her heart. Adrian's resentment toward her wasn't going to go away anytime soon, and the thought of spending the rest of her life in this house, with a man who hated her, filled her with a sense of dread.

For now, all she could do was endure.