Miriam’s POV
I sat in front of the mirror as attendants moved in and out of my room, each one bringing a different skill, a different expertise.
I stared at my reflection, watching myself transform into someone new.
The wine burgundy dress fit perfectly.
My hair was being styled in soft curls that framed my face.
My makeup was being applied with precision.
All six of them had rushed into action at eight in the morning, moving like they’d practiced this routine a thousand times before.
Maybe Victor had told them what today meant.
Maybe this was just another day in his world where transformation was always on the schedule.
Thirty minutes later, I stood up and took in the full transformation.
I barely recognized myself.
The woman staring back at me was polished and powerful and ready for anything.
“Is there anything you’d like us to adjust?” the hair stylist asked gently.
I touched the curls they’d created.
They were absolutely perfect.
“I love it,” I said.
“Alright, ma’am.”
They all left me alone with my thoughts and my racing heart.
I could feel the determination building inside me.
This was it.
This was the moment everything became official.
This was when I stepped into the world as Victor Ashford’s wife and the new CEO of Ashford Industries.
“You can do this, Miriam,” I whispered to myself.
I took a deep breath, grabbed the purse they’d prepared for me, and walked out of my room.
The elevator ride down felt like I was walking toward my destiny.
I pressed the button for the main floor, and the doors slid open.
Victor was standing in the middle of the room, having a discussion with a man I’d never seen before.
His back was to me, broad and solid in a brown suit.
But when my heels clicked against the floor, he turned around immediately.
He looked different today.
His hair wasn’t slicked back like it usually was.
It was styled differently, falling slightly across his forehead in a way that made him look younger, less controlled, more human.
He looked handsome.
He looked hot.
And I definitely should not be thinking about those things right now.
“Oh wow,” he exclaimed, his eyes sweeping across me from head to toe.
“You look amazing.”
A feeling crept up my chest that I couldn’t quite identify.
It was warm and unfamiliar and nice all at the same time.
“The ladies did a great job,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I mean, I look like a completely different person.”
He chuckled.
“Yes, they did a very nice job. But you always look beautiful, Miriam. Today you just look… different. Powerful.”
Heat rushed to my face.
I managed to say, “You look good too.”
He chuckled dramatically.
“Well, today is special. I should look different too.”
I tried not to read too much meaning into his words.
I just laughed and changed the subject.
“Inform Smith to get the car ready,” he said to the young man who’d been standing silently, watching us interact.
The assistant nodded and walked out immediately.
“Oops, it’s time already.”
One thing I’d always admired about Victor- even though he owned multiple companies, he was always on time.
Punctuality was something he took seriously.
“Don’t worry about me,” I said.
“I’ll be fine.”
“No, why shouldn’t I worry about my wife?” he said firmly.
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll have it ordered.”
The way he said “wife” made my stomach flip.
I tried to tell myself it was just a word, just part of our arrangement, just something that was technically true.
But something in his tone suggested he meant it differently.
“Alright then,” I said quickly.
“I’d like something light.”
We walked out of the penthouse together.
The red carpet that had been laid out two days earlier was still there, stretching from the door to the curb.
It gave everything a “Red Carpet Entrance” vibe, and I had to smile at the thought.
A white Rolls-Royce was waiting for us, its engine running smoothly.
The black interior was immaculate and sharp.
Victor guided me into the car, and I settled into the back seat, breathing in the smell of expensive leather and cologne.
“Thank you,” I said.
He entered the car after a brief conversation with the young assistant.
The driver pulled smoothly into traffic, navigating the busy streets of Manhattan with practiced ease.
Victor’s POV
I kept glancing at Miriam as she stared out the window.
Her head was turned away from me, and I found myself wondering why she wasn’t asking me questions about today.
Why wasn’t she nervous?
Why wasn’t she asking for reassurance?
My phone pinged.
I opened it and read the message from my private investigator.
“Sir, Mr. Williams Castellano is investigating how the money was diverted.”
I scoffed silently.
That bastard actually thought he could get away with what he’d done.
He’d taken everything from Miriam and believed he could just walk free.
He’d stolen her parents’ inheritance, her money, her properties.
He’d destroyed her life.
And he actually thought there wouldn’t be consequences.
Not while she was under my protection.
Not while she belonged to me.
I glanced at Miriam again, and she turned at exactly the same moment.
Our eyes met, and I felt that familiar pull in my chest.
She looked so beautiful today.
So powerful.
My heart couldn’t handle it.
I loved how she looked when she was made up, when she was stylish and classy and completely in control.
And there she was, looking like she could take on the world.
I forgot, for just a moment, that this was all supposed to be temporary.
A one-year agreement.
A contract.
Just a game.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.
“I was wondering why you weren’t asking me anything about today,” I said.
“Most people would be nervous.”
“Well, I’ve been through rough times. But today doesn’t seem so challenging compared to what I’ve already survived.”
I leaned forward slightly.
“All you need to do is smile. Since you were already a staff member here, you won’t need to introduce yourself to everyone. Only the board members will need a proper introduction, and I can do that for you. You don’t have to…”
“No, I can do that myself,” she cut me off firmly.
“Victor, if I’m going to be your CEO, I should be outspoken. I should introduce myself. I should show them who I am.”
I stared at her, taking in the strength in her aura, the determination in her eyes.
I nodded slowly.
“Alright then. I trust you’ll do well.”
“Are there questions I should prepare for?” she asked.
I chuckled.
“Questions? Why would they question my authority? Why would they question their new CEO?”
She laughed.
“I thought I was going to get interrogated.”
I shook my head and leaned in slightly, closing the space between us.
My voice dropped lower, more intimate.
“I was actually thinking about something I wanted to ask you. You know, in our contract, I needed a wife to fulfill my father’s will.”
“Yes, I remember,” she said.
“I guess you’re in control of a lot of companies already. Happy for you.”
I smiled at her teasing tone.
“So do you really still want to head Ashford Industries? Or should I give you one of the other companies to run instead?”
She stared at me, and I stared back into her eyes.
They were filled with something shining, something I couldn’t quite name.
“Why are you so nice to me?” she asked quietly.
“I mean, this is just an agreement. This is just temporary.”
I leaned closer, and my voice became more serious, more possessive.
“Yes, because you are my wife.”
She fell silent after that.
I watched her carefully, seeing the way my words had affected her.
But in my mind, everything was crystal clear.
She was my wife.
Not just on paper.
Not just in name.
She was mine in every way that mattered.
I’d been waiting for her for five years.
I’d been watching her.
I’d been planning for this moment.
And now that she was finally here, finally within my reach, finally bound to me by more than just a contract, I had no intention of letting her go.
This was temporary for her.
A one-year arrangement.
A way to escape her desperate situation.
But for me, this was forever.
She just didn’t know it yet.
She is mine.
And I was going to make sure she never forgot it.
The car pulled into the underground parking garage of Ashford Industries.
The moment of truth was here.
Time to show the board that Miriam Castellano or rather Miriam Lopez was no longer just a talented executive.
She was the future of this company.
She is my wife.
She is untouchable.