Chapter 4 Welcome To Hell

Ethan’s POV There was only one thing worse than suffering through this ridiculous honeymoon, coming back home to the Windsor mansion. I should have known Zara wouldn’t let this so-called marriage be a peaceful one. From the moment we stepped foot into the massive Windsor estate, I knew I was in trouble. Zara stood at the front entrance, her arms crossed, a devilish smirk playing on her lips. A queen in her castle. “Well, well, well,” she mused, tilting her head. “Welcome home, husband.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Save it, Windsor. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way.” Zara gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “Stay out of each other’s way? But darling, we’re married. We should spend every moment together.” I narrowed my eyes. “What are you planning?” She grinned. “Oh, nothing. Just reminding you that in this house, I make the rules.” I sighed, already regretting my life choices. And that’s how my personal hell began. Zara’s POV Ethan Carter ruined my life. Now, it was time to ruin his. If my father thought he could force me into a marriage, I’d make damn sure my husband suffered for it. And lucky for me, Ethan was easy to torture. The first thing I did? Make him my personal servant. “Carter!” I yelled across the living room the next morning. Ethan, who had been comfortably reading a book, sighed heavily. “What now?” “Go get me a coffee.” His brows furrowed. “Get it yourself.” I pouted. “Oh? Did you forget, darling? This is my house, and in my house, you do as I say.” He clenched his jaw but stood up anyway. “Fine.” I smirked. This was going to be fun. Ethan’s POV I hated every second of this. Zara was treating me like a damn servant, and the worst part? The Windsor family didn’t care. Her father? Ignored it. Her mother? Thought it was amusing. The house staff? Terrified of Zara, so they stayed out of it. Every day was a new way to humiliate me. Monday: She made me go to the spa with her, pretending I was her assistant. Tuesday: She forced me to carry her shopping bags through an entire mall. Wednesday: She “accidentally” spilled wine on me at dinner in front of her family. It was like living in a never-ending nightmare. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, a guy named Chris Montgomery showed up. Chris’s POV Seeing Ethan Carter in my woman’s house was the highlight of my week. I smirked as I stepped into the Windsor mansion, my eyes immediately finding Zara. She looked stunning, as always her fiery attitude only making her more attractive. “Missed me, sweetheart?” I murmured, taking her hand and kissing it. Zara laughed. “Chris, you’re always so dramatic.” I glanced at Ethan, who was sitting stiffly on the couch, pretending not to care. Perfect. Time to ruin his mood. I casually slid my arm around Zara’s waist, pulling her close. “You look gorgeous today,” I whispered in her ear, loud enough for Ethan to hear. She giggled. “Oh, Chris. You always know what to say.” I turned my gaze to Ethan, smirking. “Oh, didn’t see you there, Carter. How’s married life treating you?” He barely glanced up. “Like a prison sentence.” I laughed. “Well, I guess we all have our roles in life. Mine is to be successful, yours is to…what? Carry Zara’s bags?” Zara gasped dramatically. “Oh, Chris! How did you know? Ethan is such a helpful husband.” I grinned. “Really? Well, that’s good to hear. But I do wonder…” I leaned in slightly. “What exactly does he do for you? Because last I checked, you preferred real men.” Ethan finally looked at me, his jaw tightening. Good. I wanted him to snap. I wanted him to lose control. I wanted to watch him break. Ethan’s POV Chris Montgomery was an insect. An arrogant, smug, insect. He thought his little games would get to me? That I’d care about Zara and him acting like a couple? I didn’t. Because I hated them both. I calmly stood up, stretched my arms, and turned to Zara. “Hey, sweetheart?” She narrowed her eyes. “What?” I smirked. “Since I’m your husband and all, shouldn’t you be the one making me coffee?” Her eyes widened. Chris chuckled. “Oh? Did the little servant grow a backbone?” I shrugged. “Nah. Just figured if I’m gonna be forced to live in this circus, I might as well get some entertainment.” Zara scoffed. “In your dreams, Carter.” I placed a hand over my heart. “Ouch. And here I thought wives were supposed to care for their husbands.” Chris smirked. “You really think Zara is a normal wife?” I let out a laugh. “Oh, trust me, I know she’s not. That’s why this marriage is nothing but a joke to me.” For a second, something flashed in Zara’s eyes. Something painful. But before she could respond, I walked away. Let them play their little games. I didn’t care. Not one bit. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I needed air. Being trapped in this house with Zara was bad enough. Adding Chris to the equation? A complete disaster. I stepped outside to the massive garden behind the mansion, taking a deep breath. Silence. Finally. Except, of course, the universe hated me. Footsteps approached. “Running away already?” Zara’s voice was dripping with amusement. I sighed. “Hoping you’d take the hint and leave me alone.” She ignored me, walking to the edge of the patio, arms crossed. “You know, you’re not as much fun when you don’t react. Chris and I were really hoping to get a show out of you.” I clenched my jaw. “And what exactly is your goal here? To make me miserable?” She laughed, flipping her hair. “Oh, Carter. That’s just a bonus.” I turned to her, studying her expression. There was something in her eyes, something she was hiding. “So, is this the plan, then?” I asked. “You and Chris acting like a couple just to piss me off?” She smirked. “It’s working, isn’t it?” I rolled my eyes. “Not in the way you think.” She tilted her head. “Oh? You’re not jealous?” I let out a dry laugh. “Jealous? Of what? Watching you and that walking ego throw yourselves at each other?” Her eyes narrowed. “Chris is a great guy.” I scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure he is. That’s why he never married you, right?” Her expression froze for a second, just a second before she quickly masked it with a glare. I smirked. Got her. “I don’t need a lecture from you, Carter.” She turned away, but I could tell my words had hit a nerve. Interesting. Very interesting. Zara’s POV I hated Ethan Carter. I hated that he was in my house. I hated that he was my husband. And most of all, I hated that he got under my skin so easily. The moment he brought up Chris not marrying me, something inside me burned. Because he was right. Chris had always been in my life. He had always been there to flirt, tease, and keep me entertained. But he had never, not once taken that extra step. And now? I was stuck in this mess of a contract marriage. I stormed back into the house, and of course, Chris was waiting for me. “Everything alright, princess?” he asked, draping an arm over the back of the couch. I forced a smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” He smirked. “Oh, I don’t know. You seemed a little…tense back there.” I huffed. “Ethan’s just an idiot.” Chris chuckled. “We’ve always agreed on that.” He reached for my hand, rubbing his thumb over my fingers. A move he always did when he wanted me to relax. Except this time, it felt…off. I pulled my hand away. “Anyway, let’s talk business. You’re meeting with my father tomorrow, right?” Chris studied me for a second before leaning back. “Yeah. Got some deals to discuss. You gonna be there?” I shook my head. “I have more important things to do.” He smirked. “Like torturing your husband?” I laughed. “Obviously.”