บท 7: Chapter Seven: Home

As the sleek black car pulled up to the sprawling Sinclair estate, Aria stared in awe at the grandiose mansion that loomed before her. It wasn't her first time seeing the Sinclair home, but now, as she stepped out of the car with her new title as Mrs. Sinclair, it felt entirely different. She had entered into this contract thinking she would be able to keep her distance, to play her part while remaining emotionally detached. But the weight of her new role pressed down on her with each passing second.

Alexander exited the car first, his tall frame exuding his usual cool confidence, but he paused to help his grandmother out of the backseat. Aria followed, feeling somewhat out of place in her simple dress among the luxury that surrounded her.

The moment Grandma's feet touched the driveway, she reached out, clasping Aria's hands in her own. Her warm, wrinkled fingers squeezed gently as she smiled up at her. "Welcome home, Aria," Grandma said, her eyes shining with affection. "This is your home now, too."

Aria offered a polite smile, though internally, her nerves were on high alert. **Home**—the word felt foreign to her. She had never truly had a place she could call her own, and this mansion, with its lavish furnishings and cold marble floors, felt even more distant from her idea of home. She felt more like a stranger than a wife here, playing a part in a drama she had signed up for without fully understanding its consequences.

"And soon," Grandma continued, her voice teasing but firm, "we'll welcome a grandchild, won't we?"

The words sent a shock through Aria. She blinked rapidly, trying to compose herself, but her discomfort was evident. Her stomach twisted at the thought, and her heart skipped a beat as she glanced at Alexander, who stood beside her, stoic as always.

Aria quickly forced a nervous laugh. "Grandma, you don't need to bring that up right now," she said, her voice barely concealing the anxiety in her tone.

Alexander, sensing her discomfort, stepped in immediately. "Grandma, there's no rush. Let's give Aria some time to settle in first."

Grandma waved a hand dismissively, chuckling. "Nonsense, Alexander. You two are young and healthy. There's no time like the present."

Aria shifted uneasily. Why was the older woman so fixated on this topic? She had only just signed the contract a few days ago, and now they were talking about children? She hadn't anticipated how far this charade would go. Being Mrs. Sinclair was one thing, but fulfilling Grandma's dreams of grandchildren was certainly not part of the deal—or at least, she didn't think it was. Then again, she hadn't fully read all the fine print.

Alexander, sensing Aria's increasing discomfort, took control of the situation once more. "Let's not overwhelm her, Grandma. She's already done so much. Aria just got here—why don't I show her around the house so she can settle in?"

Grandma nodded approvingly, but before Aria could interject with her own suggestion to explore on her own, the older woman tightened her grip on her hand. "Yes, yes. You should show her the whole house, Alexander. It's important for her to know where everything is. After all, this is her home now."

Aria opened her mouth to protest, but Grandma cut her off with a warm smile. "You'll get lost if you try to explore on your own, dear. Let Alexander guide you."

Before Aria could insist otherwise, Grandma gave her a gentle push towards Alexander, sending her stumbling into his chest. Alexander instinctively caught her, his arms wrapping around her waist to steady her. The sudden closeness between them made Aria's breath hitch, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.

Their faces were inches apart, and she could feel the heat from his body radiating through his suit. His hands were firm but gentle on her waist, holding her in place as their eyes locked. Aria's heart pounded in her chest as her mind went blank. Alexander's gaze softened just for a second, and in that brief moment, it felt as though time stood still. The cool, indifferent facade he always wore seemed to slip, revealing something warmer, something more vulnerable beneath.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the atmosphere between them thick with unspoken tension. Aria's eyes darted from his intense gaze to his lips, then back to his eyes. The way he was looking at her made her feel exposed, as though he could see straight through her tough exterior, straight to the confusion and uncertainty swirling inside her.

Grandma's smile was evident as she happily watched them, looking back as she was led to her quarters by the house keeper.

Alexander was the first to break the moment. He gently let go of her waist, clearing his throat as he stepped back. "Let's get started with the tour," he said, his voice as calm and measured as ever.

Aria nodded, her cheeks flushing as she tried to regain her composure. She could still feel the lingering heat from his touch, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit. This was supposed to be a business arrangement, yet her reactions to him were anything but professional.

As they began to walk through the mansion, Alexander pointed out various rooms—the grand ballroom, the library, the indoor pool—but Aria was barely listening. Her mind was too preoccupied with the strange connection she had felt when he caught her. She was supposed to be playing a role, yet her body had reacted instinctively, betraying her carefully constructed facade.

They passed room after room, Alexander's voice a steady guide as he pointed out different parts of the house, but Aria could barely focus. The mansion was stunning, every inch of it dripping with wealth and elegance, but the opulence did little to ease her racing thoughts.

As they reached the last wing of the house, Alexander paused in front of a large set of double doors. "This will be your room," he said, pushing the doors open.

Aria stepped inside, her breath catching as she took in the sight. The room was enormous, with a king-sized bed in the center, plush carpets beneath her feet, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in streams of sunlight. It was beautiful—too beautiful for someone like her, she thought. She didn't belong here.

"I'll be in the next room if you need anything," Alexander said, his voice snapping her back to reality.

Aria turned to face him, nodding. "Thank you," she said softly. But the words felt inadequate, empty. She didn't know how to thank him for everything—this life, this charade, this escape from her old one. But deep down, she also felt uneasy. How long could she keep up this act? How long before the lines between them blurred even more?

As Alexander turned to leave, Aria felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She wasn't sure if it was the house, the marriage, or the lingering feeling of his arms around her, but something had shifted between them. And it terrified her.

As the doors closed behind him, she let out a shaky breath, her hand going to her chest where her heart still raced. This was only the beginning, she knew. And the stakes were getting higher every day.