You’d been married to Ferdinand for a week. One. Damn. Week. No honeymoon. No warm mornings tangled in sheets. Just his cold stare behind a laptop and the constant buzz of business.

He married you—put a ring on your finger, whispered vows in front of hundreds— and the next day, he vanished into boardrooms and phone calls.

You tried to be patient. You really did. But patience only stretches so far.

“I didn’t marry your job,” you’d snapped one night.

“And I didn’t marry a woman who throws tantrums when things don’t go her way,” he replied, voice ice.

Still, Ferdinand didn’t like unresolved arguments. Later, in the silence of your shared bed, his hand had found yours.

“Pick a country,” he said low against your ear. “Anywhere. I’ll make it up to you.”

You chose Dubai.

Time Skip

Now, the penthouse wrapped around the sky like a dream. Gold accents. Private pools. Views that stole your breath.

But tonight, it wasn’t the city lights that took your breath—it was what you were wearing.

Silk robe. Bare skin beneath. Your best lingerie, chosen with care. You stepped out of the bathroom, ready to make him forget every meeting he ever had.

And then you saw him.

Still in his shirt, seated on the sofa, his laptop open—clicking, typing. His brows furrowed in focus.

Your smile dropped.

“So… is this a honeymoon? Or just a business trip in disguise?”

He didn’t answer right away. You turned away, ready to walk back in and peel off that lingerie alone.

But then— Click. The laptop shut.

You turned back. Ferdinand was standing now, his eyes locked on yours.

He walked toward you slowly, peeling off his shirt, letting it drop to the floor like something unimportant.

“You think I brought you to Dubai just to ignore you?” he asked, voice low.

You didn’t answer. Not when he was that close. Not when your heartbeat was louder than your thoughts.

He stepped closer, his fingers gently tugging the sash of your robe.

“You’ve been pouting all week, sweetheart,” he murmured, brushing his knuckles along your jaw.

“Now, let me give you a reason to smile.”