THE UNEXPECTED TWIST

Mia Chen groaned as she opened her eyes, the sunlight streaming through the large windows blinding her momentarily. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light and her unfamiliar surroundings. The room was enormous, with high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and luxurious furnishings that screamed opulence. It felt like she had stepped into a dream, or rather, a nightmare.

"Where am I?" she muttered, sitting up in the plush bed.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door swung open and an older woman in a maid's uniform entered, carrying a tray with breakfast.

"Good morning, Madam Mia," the maid said with a warm smile. "I hope you slept well. Breakfast is served."

Mia blinked in confusion. "Madam Mia? Breakfast?" She glanced around the room again, hoping for some clue to explain her situation. "Wait, what's going on?"

The maid placed the tray on a small table by the window and looked at Mia with concern. "Are you feeling alright, Madam? Should I call for the doctor?"

"No, no doctor," Mia said quickly, waving her hand. "I just... I need a moment to process. Can you tell me where I am?"

The maid's expression softened. "You're at the Lee family mansion, Madam. This is your home."

Mia's eyes widened in shock. "Lee family mansion? My home?" The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my God, I'm in the novel!"

"Is everything alright, Madam?" the maid asked, clearly worried.

Mia took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Yes, everything is fine. Just a bit disoriented, that's all. Thank you for the breakfast."

The maid nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Mia scrambled out of bed and rushed to the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was unmistakably her own, but the setting was completely different. She was dressed in a silk nightgown that felt expensive and looked like something out of a fashion magazine.

"This can't be real," she whispered, touching her face to confirm it was indeed her. "I'm really in the novel. How is this possible?"

As she tried to wrap her mind around the situation, fragments of the novel's storyline came flooding back. In the book, her character was the contractual wife of Ethan Lee, the cold and aloof CEO. Their marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement, with strict conditions and an eventual divorce planned from the start.

"But I'm not supposed to fall in love with him," Mia reminded herself. "I need to focus on the money and get out of this with my sanity intact."

Determined to make the best of her bizarre situation, Mia decided to familiarize herself with her new life. She picked up a robe from the closet, wrapped it around herself, and ventured out of the bedroom. The hallway was just as grand as the bedroom, with intricate artwork lining the walls and a plush red carpet underfoot.

As she wandered through the mansion, she couldn't help but marvel at the sheer luxury of it all. She passed several rooms, each more lavish than the last, before finding herself in what appeared to be a study. The room was lined with bookshelves filled with volumes that looked untouched.

"Madam Mia, good morning," a deep voice said from behind her.

Mia jumped and turned around to see a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway. It was Ethan Lee, her husband. He was even more handsome in person, with sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and an aura of authority that made her heart skip a beat.

"E-Ethan," she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. "You seem surprised to see me. Did you forget we live together?"

Mia forced a smile, trying to play it cool. "No, of course not. Just a bit overwhelmed by everything this morning."

Ethan studied her for a moment before nodding. "Understandable. This arrangement is new for both of us." He walked over to the desk and picked up a stack of papers. "I have some business to attend to, but I wanted to check in and see how you're settling in."

"I'm fine," Mia replied, her mind racing with questions. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about our... arrangement."

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Of course. What do you want to discuss?"

"Well," Mia began, choosing her words carefully, "I know our marriage is just a contract, but I think we should set some ground rules to make things easier for both of us."

Ethan nodded, indicating for her to continue.

"First, we should keep our personal lives separate as much as possible," Mia said, trying to sound confident. "We can maintain appearances in public, but in private, we should have our own space and privacy."

"Agreed," Ethan said, his tone neutral.

"And," Mia continued, "I think it's important that we communicate openly about any issues that might come up. We don't have to pretend to be in love, but we should at least be civil to each other."

Ethan's lips curled into a faint smile. "I can agree to that. Anything else?"

Mia hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed about her next request. "Also, could we maybe... not share a bedroom? Just for the sake of personal space."

Ethan chuckled softly. "I have no problem with that. I assume the guest rooms will suffice?"

"Yes, that would be perfect," Mia said, relieved that he wasn't offended.

"Very well," Ethan said, his expression softening slightly. "If that's all, I need to get to work. Feel free to explore the house and make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Ethan," Mia said, genuinely grateful for his understanding.

Ethan nodded and left the room, leaving Mia to her thoughts. She felt a strange mixture of relief and apprehension. On one hand, Ethan seemed agreeable to her terms, which was a good start. On the other hand, she couldn't shake the feeling that living in this world was going to be more challenging than she had anticipated.

Determined to make the best of it, Mia decided to continue her exploration of the mansion. She found the kitchen, where a team of chefs was preparing what looked like an extravagant lunch. She smiled and greeted them, marveling at the efficiency with which they worked.

As she wandered further, she came across a beautiful garden with meticulously trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers. The sight was breathtaking, and she couldn't resist taking a moment to sit on a bench and enjoy the tranquility.

"This place is like a fairy tale," she mused aloud. "But I can't let myself get too comfortable. I have to stay focused."

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a message from Ethan.

**Ethan:** "Remember, we have a charity event tonight. I'll have a dress sent to your room. Be ready by 7 PM."

Mia sighed, realizing that her new life was going to involve a lot more social obligations than she had anticipated. But if playing the role of a devoted wife at public events was the price she had to pay for financial security, she was willing to do it.

"Alright, Mia," she told herself, standing up with renewed determination. "Let's get through this together."

As the day wore on, Mia prepared herself for the evening event. The dress Ethan had sent was a stunning floor-length gown in deep blue that hugged her curves perfectly. She felt a pang of nerves as she looked at herself in the mirror, but she quickly pushed it aside.

When 7 PM arrived, Mia descended the grand staircase to find Ethan waiting at the bottom, looking dapper in a tailored suit. He offered his arm, and she took it, their roles as the perfect couple already in play.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Mia nodded, trying to muster a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

As they stepped out into the world together, Mia couldn't help but wonder what twists and turns awaited them in this strange, new life. But one thing was certain: she was determined to seize control of her destiny and rewrite her story on her own terms.