Adam's POV
I was going through the quarterly reports when Joseph knocked on my study door.
"Come in." I kept my eyes on the laptop screen.
"Sir, Mrs. Lancaster's new dress just arrived at the gate. Should I have it sent to her room?"
Her new dress. Doesn’t she have clothes? I pushed away thoughts of how she might look in it. "Handle it however you want."
"Yes, sir." Joseph cleared his throat. "Can I say something..."
That made me look up. Joseph never hesitated. "What?"
"The staff... we're not quite sure how to treat Mrs. Lancaster." He shifted slightly. "With no lady of the house for so long, and now with your... unclear position on her..."
"Unclear?" I stopped typing. What the hell does that mean?
"Well, sir... You kicked her out on your wedding night. Got rid of her things." Joseph kept his tone respectful but firm. "And Taylor mentioned you throw her out of the car the other day. The staff's wondering about her status here."
"Taylor said what?" I shot an icy look at Taylor.
Taylor stiffened by the door. "Just part of my daily report, sir."
"Right." My voice could have frozen fire. "So now my staff gossips about my marriage?"
"They just need an order, sir," Joseph pressed on. " Well, before this wasn't an issue because..."
"Because there wasn't one." My jaw clenched at old memories. "And?"
"And now I saw Mrs. Lancaster takes taxis to go out these days." Joseph's disapproval was clear. "It doesn't look good for your reputation."
I drummed my fingers on the desk, fighting down an unexpected surge of irritation. It seemed I treat her so bad.
"Sir?" Taylor spoke up. "Should I arrange a car for Mrs. Lancaster tonight?"
"No." The word came out sharper than I meant it to. The thought of her climbing into a taxi made something dark twist in my chest. "I'll take care of it."
Time to remind my wife of her place. And maybe... remind myself too.
\---
"Will there be anything else, sir?"
I glanced at Joseph. "What specifically are you suggesting?"
"Perhaps..." He chose his words carefully. "Mrs. Lancaster might need her own space in the manor. A dressing room, private study, the usual arrangements for a lady of the house."
I leaned back. "You think she's staying that long?"
"Aren't you married, sir?"
Marriage. What a joke. "Fine. Set up whatever's appropriate for Mrs. Lancaster."
Joseph nodded and left, but not before I caught his slight smile.
\---
Stella's POV
"Mrs. Lancaster, the car is ready."
I glanced up from my phone to find Joseph hovering in my doorway. "Car? I didn't order one."
"Mr. Lancaster's instructions." His expression gave nothing away. "He was quite... insistent."
Of course he was. I checked my reflection one last time. The black dress fit me perfectly, though something felt missing. No time to worry about that now.
I headed downstairs, my heart doing an annoying little skip when I spotted Adam waiting in the foyer. Damn him for looking so good. The tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and that commanding presence that always seemed to fill any room he was in.
His eyes traveled slowly up my body, the intensity of his gaze leaving trails of heat on my skin. I fought the urge to fidget under his scrutiny. Why is he looking at me like that?
"Going somewhere?" His voice held that dangerous edge.
"Just a party." I kept my tone light, though my pulse was anything but steady. "Don't worry, I'll grab a—"
"Get in the car."
"Really, it's fine. I can—" Stop staring at his lips, Stella. Remember how that ended last time?
"Stella." The way he said my name, low and commanding, made heat pool in my stomach. "Don't make me repeat myself."
I lifted my chin, trying to ignore how his presence seemed to make the foyer smaller. "Since when do you care how I go out?"
"Since my staff started gossiping about taxis." His eyes darkened as they dropped to my lips for a fraction of a second. "It seems I've been... negligent in my duties as a husband."
"Negligent?" I couldn't help the sarcasm, "You mean like throwing me out of the car the other day?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Get. In. The. Car."
Something in his tone made it clear this wasn't up for debate. Fine. Let him play the controlling husband if he wants. Just stop looking at me in a hot... I cut that thought off quickly.
As I passed him, his hand shot out to catch my wrist. The contact sent sparks of electricity racing up my arm, and I had to bite back a gasp.
"You're missing something." His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that always made my knees weak.
I glanced down at my outfit. "What?"
"Joseph." Adam's voice carried that tone that made everyone jump to attention. "Set up Mrs. Lancaster's dressing room. Full appointments - jewelry, accessories, everything she needs."
My head snapped up. "That's not—"
"Necessary?" His eyes held mine. "Or you'd prefer to keep playing the neglected wife?"
"Okay, do whatever you want." I pulled my hand free.
"Good." His smile held a dangerous edge. Oh, my God, so strange of him today.
\---
The Met Gala was exactly as pretentious as I expected. I'd barely made it past the photographers when I heard the whispers start.
"Oh my God, that's her - the adopted daughter who—"
"I heard she trapped Lancaster's nephew first, but he—"
"Poor Lucy, having to deal with such a—"
Deep breaths, Stella. They're not worth it.
"Stella!" Lucy's voice dripped fake sweetness. She stood with her usual crowd of socialite followers. "How... unexpected to see you here."
One of her friends - Chelsea? Chloe? - gave me a look of exaggerated pity. "Lucy, isn't this the one who stole twenty years of your happy life?"
"Now, now." Lucy's smile could rot teeth. "She is just daddy's... charity project."
I kept my face perfectly pleasant. "Sweet of you to meet you, sis. Your necklace looks great."
Lucy's hand went to her neck, drawing attention to her necklace.
"Like it?" She preened. "The latest one. Mother had it specially made. It's completely unique."
"Oh my God, Lucy!" A voice practically squealed. "It's absolutely divine on you! "
"Trust the Winstons to put you at the core," another socialite gushed. "I heard the waitlist for the unique design is practically impossible to get on."
"Lucy, darling, you are the most pretty one tonight," a redhead simpered.
Just as Lucy was immersed in their flatters, a different voice chimed in.
"Oh my God, wait." Some socialite grabbed her friend's arm, pointing at Lucy. "That necklace she's wearing – look at the signature mark!"
Lucy's hand flew to her neck. "What are you talking about?"
"Right here, see?" The woman peered closer. "Those tiny letters... SW and ST? Stella Winston and Samantha Torres?"