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On the first night, her husband never came. On the second, she lay frozen in bed, pretending to sleep as Sebastian Royce entered the room. He did not ask if she was afraid. He did not ask if she wanted this marriage. He only accused her of running to his grandfather, of begging for a husband who had made it clear he never wanted her. By morning, he was gone. Maya washed away her tears, dressed herself, and walked downstairs with a smile she did not feel. When his grandfather asked where Sebastian was, she lied. “He was with me last night,” she said softly. “He had an urgent call from work.” She protected the man who had broken her. Hours later, Sebastian ordered her to move into his penthouse. Not through a call. Not even through a message to her. Through his brother. At the penthouse, Maya waited for the smallest sign that her husband saw her as more than a burden. Instead, the housekeeper handed her a packet of birth control pills. “Sir asked me to give you this.” Maya swallowed the pills dry. A month passed. Sebastian never came home. And yet, every time his grandfather called, Maya told the same lie. Yes, he comes home. Yes, we’re fine. Yes, I’m happy. But one day, even the kindest lie has to break.