Chapter 3

They reached the airport in tense silence, the atmosphere between them heavy with unspoken words. Celine walked a few paces behind Wade, her thoughts racing as they made their way toward the private jet. The towering structure of the jet loomed before her, sleek and imposing, much like the man who now controlled the direction of her life. As they boarded, Celine couldn't shake the feeling of dread settling in her chest. She glanced out the window as they prepared for takeoff, watching Delhi slowly disappear from view, the sprawling city replaced by an endless stretch of clouds. The hum of the engines filled the cabin, but inside her mind, there was only the sound of her worries. This was it-she was leaving everything familiar behind, and the journey to New York had begun. The thought should have been exhilarating, a chance to escape, but it felt more like stepping into the unknown with chains still wrapped around her heart. Wade sat across from her, focused on his phone, his face unreadable. He hadn't spoken much since the incident with the ring, but his presence was felt with every passing moment. Celine shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable, but the weight of what lay ahead kept her on edge. She watched the clouds drift past, wondering what New York would bring, and whether she'd ever truly be able to break free from the hold Wade seemed to have over her life.

★⋆. ࿐࿔

Wade~

The surge of jealousy that hit me when I saw Celine hugging that boy was like nothing I'd ever felt before. It infuriated me-the way they held onto each other so tightly, like they couldn't bear to let go. The longer they clung to each other, the more my anger simmered beneath the surface. I wanted to tear them apart, to pull her away from him, but I forced myself to stay calm, to keep my emotions in check, even though it was killing me inside. But then, as if the hug wasn't enough, I noticed her hand bare, without the engagement ring. That was the moment everything inside me snapped. The sight of her empty finger made my blood boil. She didn't want people to see that she was mine, that she was spoken for. No, she wanted to appear free, unattached-like she could still do whatever she wanted, like she wasn't engaged to me. That stung more than anything. The thought that she wanted to project herself as single, to show the world she was free, hit me in a way I hadn't expected. I hated it. I hated how it made me feel powerless, like she could just slip away from me at any moment. But I wouldn't let that happen. Not now, not ever. I glanced over at her, asleep peacefully in the seat beside me, completely unaware of the storm she'd stirred up in my mind. It's always like this-she pushes me to the edge, drives me insane with her defiance, and then, as if nothing happened, she retreats into this calm, innocent state, leaving me to simmer in my frustration. I leaned closer, unable to tear my eyes away from her. Her hand rested lightly on the seat, and for a moment, I couldn't help but notice how serene she looked while sleeping, her face soft and calm, so deceivingly innocent. But I knew better-she was far from innocent. She was scared of me, sure, but that fear kept her in check. Otherwise, she'd never hesitate to lash out, to challenge me with that sharp tongue of hers. If she weren't afraid, she'd rip me apart without a second thought. A strand of hair had fallen across her face, and without thinking, my hand moved toward it, gently tucking it behind her ear. The gesture was almost automatic, a strange mix of tenderness and control. She was a force to be reckoned with, even in her silence, but in moments like this, she seemed almost fragile. Almost. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her, even though she has the uncanny ability to trigger me at any moment. Despite all that, her mere presence had this strange way of calming me down, like a storm that brings peace once it passes. I silently prayed that God would grant me the patience I'd need to deal with her in the future because I knew she wasn't the type to back down easily. She was fire, and I'd need every ounce of self-control to handle her. With a deep breath, I shifted my focus back to my laptop, diving into the work that was waiting for me. Lately, there'd been an influx of offers from various gangster families looking to collaborate with us on Mafia deals. It was becoming harder to sift through all the requests, but Prez wasn't interested. He hated the idea of relying on anyone else. He believed we were more than capable of running everything ourselves, without the help of outsiders. He had a point-after all, we'd built our empire together-but part of me couldn't shake the feeling that expanding those connections might be the next step forward.

END OF Wade POV

★⋆. ࿐࿔

After a long, exhausting journey, they finally touched down in New York. Celine stirred awake as the jet landed, rubbing her eyes as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. The moment they stepped out of the jet, the crisp New York air greeted them, and the scene was already set- their car stood waiting, with a group of guards stationed nearby. One of Wade's men approached, handing him the car keys with a respectful nod. Wade took them without a word, his presence commanding the area as always. The guards stood alert, eyes scanning the surroundings, ensuring everything was in order. Celine, still a little groggy from the flight, glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar cityscape while Wade's focus remained sharp and steady, already in control of the situation. They both slid into the sleek car, the engine purring softly as Wade started to drive. The silence between them was heavy, only broken by the occasional hum of the city outside. Celine stared out of the window, watching the streets of New York blur by, her thoughts racing as they approached her new life. She wasn't sure how to feel-excited, nervous, or trapped. Behind them, a convoy of security vehicles followed closely, a constant reminder of the world Wade lived in. His expression remained unreadable as he navigated through the city, his focus set on the destination. Celine could sense the weight of his authority, the unspoken control he always held. They were heading toward the place where she would be staying, though Wade had yet to reveal all the details. She could feel the tension building, knowing that her life here was about to change, and not entirely on her terms.

★⋆. ࿐࿔

They finally arrived at their destination-Wade's house. As the car rolled to a stop, Celine's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected an apartment, something modest and practical for her stay in New York. Instead, before her stood a massive, imposing mansion, its elegant architecture towering over the manicured gardens that framed the driveway. The house was both grand and intimidating, far from the simple apartment she had imagined. Celine stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. Everything about the place felt foreign and overwhelming, from the sheer size of the building to the silence that surrounded it. She had assumed she'd have her own space, a quiet place in the city to settle into, but this was something entirely different. Wade stepped out beside her, handing the car keys to one of his men without a word. His expression gave nothing away, as if this was all perfectly natural. To him, it probably was. But for Celine, it was another reminder of the world she was now entangled in-a world far removed from her own. "What is this place, and why am I here?" Celine asked, her voice a mix of confusion and frustration as she looked at Wade, demanding an explanation. Wade turned to her, his face as calm as ever, almost indifferent. "This is my house," He said simply, his tone firm. "And you're going to live here from now on. It's all yours." Celine's heart sank at Wade's words. She didn't want to live here, not in this grand mansion again, like she was in Delhi, which felt more like a prison than a home. The towering walls and the heavy air of control suffocated her. She had imagined living in a modest apartment where she could have some semblance of freedom, but now that hope was slipping away. "I don't want to live here, Wade." She finally said, her voice soft but firm. "This... this isn't what I wanted." Wade's expression didn't waver. He stepped closer to her, his gaze unwavering. "It's not about what you want anymore, Celine. It's about what's best for you. And this is it. You'll be safe here. No arguments." His words left no room for negotiation, and Celine felt a familiar knot of frustration and helplessness tighten in her chest. But deep down, she knew that with Wade, defiance would lead nowhere.