“Married to the Cruel Tycoon”

The air was thick, heavy with anticipation. Selene hadn't even finished her coffee when the sound of tires crunching on the gravel driveway made her pause.

She glanced toward the window, the dark clouds heavy over the estate, casting an even darker shadow inside. She was still trying to adjust to the silence of Dante's house when a low, familiar voice cut through it.

"Let me in, or I'll make you."

Selene's heart skipped a beat as the voice slithered through her like an old ache—Claudia. The woman who had once been Dante's fiancée for two years,the woman who knew his world better than anyone the woman who had embarrassed her on her wedding day and made the whole world call her a home wrecker.

she was here. In Dante's house. Her home.

Selene stood at the top of the stairs, gripping the railing as if it could steady the pounding in her chest. Claudia was standing in the hallway below, her heels echoing as she made her way into the grand parlor. There was no mistaking the venom in her eyes, the sharp, cold gleam of superiority.

"Where is Dante?" Claudia demanded, her gaze sweeping across the lavish surroundings, as if searching for signs of ownership.

Selene's grip on the railing tightened, her pulse quickening. "I don't know".she said, voice steady, but a tremor ran under her words. She hated the sound of it. 

Claudia's lips curled into a mocking smile. "How quaint," she purred. "And you really thought this was going to be your happily ever after, didn't you?"

Selene said nothing, letting her words sink in.

Claudia circled the room, not bothering to look at her directly. "Dante may have married you, but you'll never be his equal. You know that, don't you? You're just his... temporary solution." She spun on her heel, her eyes narrowing on Selene. "A convenient placeholder until he gets tired of you."

Selene bristled at the insult, but something in Claudia's posture—something in her poise—told her the woman was more than just hurt. Claudia wasn't just here to mock her; she was here to stake a claim.

And Dante hadn't thrown her out.

Moments later, Dante walked in, tall, aloof, a vision of control and coldness. His presence, as always, commanded the room. Claudia turned to him, her face softening with a practiced, false smile.

"Dante," she purred. "I see you've made your choice."

Dante's expression didn't change, his gaze flickering over to Selene, then back to Claudia, as if she were a distraction he'd been forced to acknowledge.

"Claudia," he said, voice cool, but with an edge of something… resentful? Selene wasn't sure. "You're not welcome here."

But the words didn't feel final. Not with the way Claudia's smile widened. She tilted her head, looking at Dante, then back to Selene. "I'll leave, of course. I just wanted to see the lovely replacement you've chosen." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Dante's jaw clenched. He didn't dismiss her outright, as Selene expected. Instead, he took a deep breath and turned, his back to Selene. "Leave, Claudia. Now."

Claudia didn't leave.

Not yet.

She wasn't finished yet.

Later that afternoon, Selene found herself in the garden, surrounded by roses, the scent of earth and rain mingling in the cold air. The wind howled slightly through the trees, but the silence of the estate was almost suffocating.

She had hoped for some peace, some moment of reprieve, but it was never that simple.

A shadow approached her from behind.

Claudia.

The woman's heels clicked softly on the stone path, her presence undeniable, like a storm on the horizon. Selene tensed, but didn't turn to face her.

"Not enough flowers for you?" Claudia's voice purred from behind, the softness hiding a venomous edge. "You look so... lonely in your own little world."

Selene stayed still, her hands gripping the stone edge of the fountain. "What do you want, Claudia?"

The sound of Claudia's laughter, sharp and cruel, echoed through the garden. "Oh, darling, I'm just here for the truth. You think this marriage—this farce—will last? You think you've won?"

Selene turned slowly, meeting her gaze. "I didn't ask for this."

"But you're playing the part beautifully," Claudia taunted, stepping closer. "Though, I must say, it's only a matter of time before Dante tires of your innocent little act."

Selene's pulse quickened, anger rising with every word. "You lost him once. Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll get him back."

Claudia's eyes darkened, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Don't be naïve, darling. I'm still his. I was his first, and I'll always have that. You? You'll always be second."

Before Selene could respond, Claudia leaned in closer, lowering her voice, just a whisper, barely audible.

"He'll always come back to me. Just wait."

The words hung between them, chilling the air like an omen.

Selene froze, her heart hammering in her chest, the weight of Claudia's words pressing down on her like a hand around her throat. She couldn't breathe.

Claudia gave one last malicious smile before walking away, leaving Selene alone in the garden. Alone with the fear that started to settle in her bones.

Because deep down, she couldn't ignore the truth.

No matter how hard she tried to pretend, Dante's past would never

leave him. And with it, Claudia would always be there—waiting, watching, and, worst of all... claiming him.