Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Scarlett’s POV
The car turned onto the private road leading to Damon's estate.
I looked out the window. Then I blinked. Then I looked again.
"What the hell?"
Arthur glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Is something wrong, Mrs. Wolfe?"
"Is that... are those crystal chandeliers hanging from the gate?"
"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Wolfe wanted the entrance to look festive."
Festive. Right.
The estate gates had massive crystal chandeliers attached to them. In broad daylight. They sparkled in the sun like a Vegas casino sign.
We drove through. The private driveway stretched ahead. Every fifteen feet, there was a giant white flower column. Taller than me. Covered in white roses, orchids, and gold ribbons.
"Arthur," I said slowly. "Why does it look like we're driving to a royal wedding?"
"Mr. Wolfe wanted today to be special for you."
I pressed my face against the window.
The main house came into view. I stopped breathing.
Two three-meter-tall flower arches framed the front door. White roses everywhere. Crystal strands hanging down like waterfalls. The entire exterior wall was covered in white string lights. Turned on. During the day.
The front lawn had at least twenty giant gold "LOVE" letter sculptures. Each letter was taller than a person.
"Oh my God," I whispered.
The fountain had rose petals floating in it. The water sparkled. Someone had put glitter in the fountain.
There was a massive "Just Married" banner across the entrance. Gold sequined letters. At least ten feet wide.
White tulle and gold ribbons wrapped around every porch column like Christmas decorations on steroids.
A huge white balloon installation shaped like a heart hung above the door. "Mr. & Mrs. Wolfe" written across it in cursive.
On either side of the front door stood champagne tower decorations. Empty champagne glasses stacked in pyramid formations. Person-height.
I couldn't speak.
Arthur parked the car. "Mr. Wolfe wanted to make today special for you, Mrs. Wolfe. He thought you deserved a proper celebration."
I stared at the house. My brain had short-circuited.
On one hand, this was actually kind of sweet. Damon had clearly tried. This was a contractual marriage arrangement, but he'd made an effort. He'd thought about my feelings.
On the other hand, the aesthetic was... questionable.
"Arthur," I said carefully. "Who designed all this?"
"I took the liberty of arranging everything myself, ma'am. Mr. Wolfe simply said he wanted to celebrate. I handled the rest."
Relief flooded through me. Thank God. At least this didn't represent Damon's actual taste.
"We considered your background," Arthur continued. "Coming from the foster care system. We wanted to create something warm and welcoming. Something that felt like a real celebration."
I froze.
Wait.
Was he saying my foster care background meant I'd appreciate... tacky decorations?
Is this my fault? Does Arthur think foster kids have terrible taste? Did he look at me and think 'this girl definitely wants giant gold LOVE letters on the lawn'?
"It looks... nice," I said. My voice came out stiff.
Arthur beamed. "I'm so glad you approve, Mrs. Wolfe."
I smiled back. Forced.
Note to self: never let Arthur plan anything ever again.
He opened my car door. I stepped out. Stared up at the balloon heart.
Well. At least Damon tried. That counts for something, right?
Arthur held the front door open.
The second I stepped inside, the world exploded in white and gold.
Rose petals and gold confetti rained down from somewhere above. I flinched. My hand shot to my watch instinctively.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Wolfe!"
The entire house staff stood in the foyer. They were throwing flower petals. All of them smiling. A woman who looked like the head housekeeper was leading the cheers.
"Congratulations!"
"Welcome home, Mrs. Wolfe!"
"Best wishes!"
I stood there covered in petals. My heart was still racing from the surprise.
Arthur stepped up beside me. "Congratulations, Mrs. Wolfe. We're all delighted to welcome you to the household."
"Thank you," I managed. I brushed confetti out of my hair. "Thank you all. This is... very kind."
The head housekeeper came forward. She had warm brown eyes and gray streaks in her dark hair. "I'm Maria, Mrs. Wolfe. I've been managing the household for fifteen years. If you need anything at all, please let me know."
She reached for my arm like she wanted to support me. "You must be tired. Would you like to go upstairs and rest?"
"I'm okay," I said quickly. "Really."
Maria looked worried. "Are you sure? You're carrying precious cargo. You should take care of yourself."
Oh God. They all knew I was pregnant. Of course they did.
"I'm fine," I repeated. I smiled. "But thank you."
Arthur gestured to the stairs. "Shall we go up to your room, Mrs. Wolfe?"
We climbed the grand staircase. White tulle and gold ribbons wrapped around every baluster. The second floor had balloon arches everywhere. Massive floral arrangements on every surface.
It looked like a department store had vomited wedding decorations.
The third floor was slightly better. Less balloons. More normal.
Arthur stopped in front of a door. My room. The guest suite Damon had given me the first day.
He opened the door.
I walked inside and stopped dead.
The room was a disaster.
The area rug was gone. The shower curtain was missing. The bedding had disappeared. No throw pillows. No curtains. Everything made of fabric had vanished.
"Um," I said. "Did someone rob my room?"
"Oh no, Mrs. Wolfe." Arthur looked completely unbothered. "All the textile items have been sent to a professional facility for deep cleaning and sanitizing. Standard procedure for new residents."
I stared at him.
"Deep cleaning," I repeated slowly. "For textiles."
"Yes, ma'am. It takes approximately one week for the full sanitizing process."
"One week?"
"Yes, ma'am."
That's the worst lie I've ever heard. Who sanitizes area rugs for a full week? This is so obviously a setup.
"So where am I supposed to sleep tonight?" I asked. I kept my voice sweet.
"Well, that's what I wanted to discuss with you, Mrs. Wolfe." Arthur clasped his hands behind his back. Professional butler pose. "Perhaps this week you could share the master bedroom with Mr. Wolfe? It would only be temporary. Just until your room is ready."
I looked at him.
He looked back. Completely serious.
Oh, you sneaky bastard.