The wedding night

The grand suite was overwhelmingly lavish, with every inch of the room reflecting Ethan's impeccable taste. Emily stood near the window, arms crossed, as she tried to process the whirlwind of the day. The sudden wedding had left her emotionally drained and physically exhausted.

Behind her, the sound of the shower running served as a constant reminder that she wasn't alone. She glanced toward the massive bed and sighed.

"How do I even survive this night?" she muttered under her breath, pacing slightly.

The bathroom door opened, and Ethan walked out, a towel slung low on his waist. His damp hair fell over his forehead, and his confident smirk made Emily's nerves flare up.

"Are you just going to stand there all night?" Ethan teased, grabbing a shirt from the chair and slipping it on.

Emily whipped around, her cheeks flushed. "Can't you give me some privacy?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "This is my room too, Mrs. Grey." He said her name with deliberate emphasis, watching as her expression shifted from irritation to discomfort.

"Don't remind me," she muttered, clutching her dress tightly.

Ethan sighed and crossed the room to stand in front of her. "Emily, I'm not some villain. You can relax, you know."

Emily looked up at him, unsure if she believed his words. His towering presence was intimidating, but there was also a softness in his tone that she hadn't expected.

"Relax? After being ambushed into a wedding and thrown into this… palace?" she shot back, gesturing around the room. "Not everyone adjusts to this lifestyle as easily as you do."

Ethan chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Fair enough. But you're my wife now, and I'll do everything to make sure you're comfortable."

"Comfortable?" Emily repeated, narrowing her eyes. "You dragged me here without giving me a choice! How is that supposed to make me feel comfortable?"

Ethan leaned against the bedpost, his expression turning serious. "I admit I can be...forceful. But I'll never hurt you, Emily. That's not who I am."

Emily stared at him, searching his face for any sign of insincerity. To her surprise, she found none.

"Fine," she said after a long pause, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But don't expect me to play the doting wife anytime soon."

Ethan smirked again, folding his arms. "Noted. But I have one request."

Emily groaned. "What now?"

"We need a photo for the office," he said, his tone casual.

"A photo?"

"Yes. A proper wedding picture to hang in my office," Ethan explained.

Emily gaped at him, incredulous. "You want to hang our picture in your office?"

Ethan nodded. "Of course. Everyone needs to know I'm married."

"That's ridiculous," Emily muttered, shaking her head.

John, Ethan's secretary, had entered the suite briefly to drop off some paperwork and overheard their conversation. He raised an eyebrow at Ethan's request but wisely said nothing.

As John walked away, he thought to himself, He's changed so much... but hanging a wedding photo in his office? That's really weird.

Back in the room, Ethan noticed Emily's silence and crouched in front of her. "Emily," he said softly, "this isn't just a business arrangement for me. I want us to work."

Emily blinked at him, surprised by his sincerity. For the first time, she saw a hint of vulnerability in his eyes, something that made her chest tighten.

"I...I need time," she said finally.

Ethan smiled faintly. "Take all the time you need. Just don't expect me to stop being... well, me."

Emily rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," Ethan countered, standing up and moving to the other side of the room.

As the night wore on, Emily found herself relaxing slightly. She still didn't fully trust Ethan, but for now