The first meeting between the families felt like a contract signing.
Your father kept repeating, “This will secure our future.”
His mother smiled politely. “It’s beneficial for everyone.”
You sat quietly, already knowing one important detail. He had another wife. Mia. Twenty-five. Married to him for three years.
And now you, at seventeen, were being added into the arrangement.
Across from you sat **Central Cee **— calm, unreadable, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
You lifted your chin slightly. “I know about Mia.”
A few relatives exchanged looks.
Cench’s eyes shifted to you, almost impressed. “Yeah?”
“I’m not walking into this blind.”
Your father cleared his throat. “It’s just how their family works.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” you replied quietly.
Cench leaned forward slightly. “You don’t.”
His mother frowned. “Cench.”
cench shrugged lightly. “She’s being honest.”
You studied him carefully. “And you? Are you okay adding another wife?”
He didn’t hesitate “It wasn’t my idea. But I won’t treat you like you’re optional.”
That sentence stayed with you
The wedding happened quickly. Gold lights. Cameras. Smiles that didn’t always reach people’s eyes
When you arrived at the mansion after the ceremony, you were prepared.
Still, seeing Mia in person was different.
She stood near the staircase, elegant, composed, already looking at you like she was measuring your worth.
“So this is her,” she said smoothly
Cench stepped inside behind you. “mia stop”
She looked at him. “I’m welcoming her.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.” cench said boredly
You noticed it immediately — he was cold with her, but he wasn’t soft either
With you, his voice lowered without him realizing
The first morning in the house, you woke up unsure of your place.
Mia found you in the kitchen.
“If you’re going to stay here,” she began calmly, “you should clean .”
You blinked. “clean?”
“The staff handles most things, but wives should know their responsibilities.” mia said
You didn’t respond right away.
She handed you a folded towel. “Start with the laundry room. The sheets need washing.”
Before you could even take it, a voice cut in
“She’s not doing that.” Cench stood in the doorway, expression firm.
Mia arched a brow “Excuse me?”
“I said she’s not doing that.” He walked closer “There’s staff for a reason.”
Mia crossed her arms “It’s about discipline. Learning her place.”
He stopped in front of you, taking the towel from your hand and setting it back on the counter.
“Her place isn’t as a maid.”
Mia’s jaw tightened. “I wasn’t making her a maid.”
“It sounded like it.” cench said crossing his arm with a mad glare
“She’s young,” Mia continued “She should understand how this house works.”
“And she will,” he replied calmly “But not like that.”
Mia looked at you sharply. “You’re going to let him speak for you?”
Before you could answer, he did. “She doesn’t need to defend herself over laundry.”
Mia let out a quiet, frustrated breath. “You never stopped me from doing chores. even when we have like thousand maids!”
He held her gaze. “You’re not the same.”
The words lingered heavily in the air.
He turned to you slightly, his voice softer. “If anyone asks you to do something you’re uncomfortable with, just tell me”
Mia laughed under her breath. “She doesn’t need a bodyguard.”
“She’s my wife,” he replied simply.
“And I’m not?” mia said crossing her arms
“You are,” he said evenly. “but she is still younger and you gotta respect that.”
Mia finally stepped back “ugh i can't believe you're defending her when you barely know her!”
After she left, the kitchen felt quieter You looked at him. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.” cench say that while fixing you hair
“She’ll hate me more now.” you said pouting a little
He shrugged slightly “She’ll adjust.”