New Administration

New Administration
Diane’s POV

At Lance’s Mansion

“What?” I blinked fast, sitting up on the bed carefully so I wouldn’t hurt myself or my unborn baby. Maybe I heard her wrong. Or maybe she wasn’t even talking to me, though it was just the two of us in the room.

She brushed a few strands of hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear. “You heard me, Diane. Or whatever your name is.”

I scoffed. “You want me to move my things to the smallest building in this whole compound?” I asked in disbelief.

She nodded like she had no shame. “I do. And it has to be done right now.”

I gave a dry laugh. “Look,” I said, taking off my glasses. For some reason, I felt like my words would hit better if she saw my eyes. Maybe it would show how serious I was.

“I understand that you’re Lance’s fiancée. I don’t dispute that. In fact, I respect whatever it is you both share. Honestly, I don’t even care. But you need to understand that Lance and I have a business relationship going on here, and it’s recommended… very much necessary, that I live under the same roof with him.”

She nodded again, and I swear it was starting to piss me off. Because every time she nodded, it meant something annoying was about to follow.

“Oh, Diane darling…” she said.

Darling? Oh, for God’s sake. I had to resist the urge to slap that fake smile off her face.

I raised a brow and waited. I wanted to hear the nonsense that would come out next.

“I do know about the business deal,” she said. “My fiancé made sure to fill me in on every detail. But regardless, you still need to move your things to one of the other houses.”

I sighed. Frustration was building up in me, but I was holding it down. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t. This wasn’t my house. I didn’t want to cause a scene in Lance’s home. We had been cool with each other before this so-called fiancée showed up, and I didn’t think he would appreciate me losing control. Unless she pushed me too far, I had to stay calm.

“Does Lance know about this?” I asked quietly.

She nodded again with that wide, fake smile that looked like mockery. That hurt. It hit deep because for a moment, I had been foolish enough to think Lance and I had something real. I thought maybe… just maybe this fake marriage could grow into something close to real.

Stupid. I was so stupid.

I didn’t know if I should be mad at myself for admitting it or mad for letting myself get distracted. Either way, this was on me.

“He agreed to this?” I asked again, just to be sure.

She opened her mouth to speak, but then Lance’s voice cut in as he walked into the room… my room.

I froze. I had been mad at him since Victoria’s arrival. It wasn’t just that he had a fiancée. It was that he hid it from me. I know he didn’t owe me an explanation. After all, we were just business partners but I thought the little bond between us meant we could at least be open about things like that.

“Yes, I did,” he said quietly, like he was choosing his words carefully. He avoided eye contact.

Wow. I nodded slowly. I felt like a complete fool. Nothing could describe how small and hurt I felt at that moment. I was stupid to think Lance felt the same way I did. But even then, I wanted him to look at me one last time with those beautiful eyes of his before I left for the other house where seeing him would become rare.

“Lance…” I called softly.

He stepped closer, now standing beside Victoria. “I agreed to this, Diane,” he said. “We both know this contract between us was meant to last for three years. But thankfully, my father shortened it until you put to bed. Once the baby is born, the inheritance will be transferred to me.”

I stared at him quietly, waiting for him to continue.

“You’re five months gone,” he said. “Just four months left. After that, once everything is transferred, you’ll leave. Victoria will be my real wife. So because of that, we need privacy to plan our future. Besides, I’ve already given you everything you need to get back at the people who hurt you.”

I swallowed hard. How could I have forgotten why I came here in the first place? I felt like the biggest fool. He was right… it was all part of the deal. I came here for a reason, and he never promised me anything more. It was clear in his head, but I had let myself drift into something stupid.

“Fine,” I said, forcing a fake smile and trying to sound firm even though my voice wanted to break. “I’ll leave.”

I turned to the side and blinked hard. I couldn’t cry in front of them. I just needed to leave before I fell apart.

“I’m really bothered about this baby,” Victoria said softly, almost like she was talking to herself.

I placed my hand over my belly protectively. That was my limit. I could take insults and humiliation, but not about my child.

“You don’t have to worry,” I said, swallowing hard. “My child is not your fiancé’s.”

“Good. I’m glad we understand that,” she replied, turning to leave. But she stopped at the door and faced me again.

“Out of my good heart and generosity, I’ve asked Ethan to help you pack your things and move them to one of the houses,” she said.

I didn’t reply. I just stood there, staring at her and then at Lance, who still couldn’t look at me.

“No thank you?” she asked after a moment of silence.

I ignored her again.

“I deserve one, don’t you think?” she asked, now turning to Lance as if she needed validation.

He nodded quietly.

“At least I was kind enough to let you pick a house. Otherwise, I would have chosen one for you,” she added with a smirk.

Just then, Ethan walked in, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Oh, he’s here,” Victoria said unnecessarily, like we couldn’t see him.

Ethan came straight to me. I had bent over to lift one of my boxes when he reached out quickly.

“No, ma’am, I’ll get it. Don’t bother,” he said softly, taking it from me. His hand brushed against mine, and I could tell Lance noticed. That must have been why he walked out immediately without a word. Victoria followed right behind him, leaving me alone with Ethan.

I sat down on the bed and let out a deep sigh.

Anger wanted to rise, but what right did I have? In that moment, more than anything, I felt stupid. Stupid for hoping. Stupid for catching feelings where I shouldn’t have.

I looked around the room that had started to feel like home and realized that maybe it never was.

I made a promise to myself right there that I wouldn’t let this happen again. This was the last time I’d let my emotions get in the way of my plans.

I would stick to my purpose. That was the only thing that mattered now.

No more distractions. No more wishful thinking.

No nothing.