Chapter 5 The Boundaries

• The morning came too soon.
• Madeline lay still on the oversized bed, her body wrapped in the heavy silk sheets. The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window was in stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones.
• Last night hadn’t been a dream.
• She was here. Trapped. Married—at least on paper—to a man whose presence set her nerves on edge.
• Her mind drifted back to his visit. The way Ivan had stood there, his gray eyes piercing through her like a predator watching its prey. The tension in the air, thick enough to suffocate. And worse—the way she’d felt her pulse quicken under his gaze.
• She hated that.
• The faint knock at the door startled her. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and Kayla appeared, holding a tray of breakfast.
• “Good morning,” Kayla said softly, setting the tray on a small table by the window. “I thought you might be hungry.”
• Madeline pushed herself upright, her hair falling in messy waves around her face. She hadn’t even glanced at the mirror, but she imagined she looked as exhausted as she felt. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice hoarse.
• Kayla hesitated near the door, her hands clasped in front of her.
• “Mr. Callahan has requested your presence in his office at nine o’clock.”
• The words sent a jolt through Madeline’s chest.
• “What for?”
• Kayla avoided her gaze. “He didn’t say.”
• Of course, he didn’t.
• Ivan didn’t seem like the type to explain himself—or care whether someone felt comfortable with his demands.
• Madeline sighed, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll be there.”
• Kayla nodded and slipped out, closing the door gently behind her.
• The lock didn’t click this time.
• The absence of that sound felt like a small victory.
• 8:58 a.m.
• Madeline stood outside Ivan’s office, her palms sweating despite the cool air of the hallway.
• She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the brass doorknob. Then, with a deep breath, she turned it and stepped inside.
• Ivan sat at his desk, a sharp contrast to the warm fire crackling in the hearth behind him. He didn’t look up immediately, his focus fixed on a stack of papers in front of him. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms.
• It was unsettling how effortlessly commanding he looked.
• “You’re on time,” he said without glancing up.
• Madeline’s lips pressed together. She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an expectation.
• “I didn’t realize I had a choice,” she said, her tone sharper than she intended.
• That got his attention.
• Ivan’s head lifted, his gray eyes locking onto hers.
• His lips curled slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. “You don’t.”
• The way he said it sent a shiver down her spine.
• He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”
• She moved cautiously, lowering herself into it with deliberate slowness. The weight of his gaze pressed down on her, but she refused to fidget under his scrutiny.
• “I have certain expectations,” Ivan began, his tone calm but firm. “For this arrangement to work, you will need to follow my rules.”
• Rules.
• Madeline arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize we were negotiating terms.”
• “This isn’t a negotiation.”
• The faintest smirk tugged at his lips. “It’s a warning.”
• Her fingers curled around the edge of the chair, her pulse quickening. “And what happens if I don’t follow your rules?”
• Ivan leaned back, studying her. His smirk vanished, replaced by something colder.
• “You don’t want to find out.”
• The room seemed to shrink around her.
• She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “So, what are these rules?”
• Ivan tilted his head slightly, watching her like she was a puzzle he was still figuring out how to dismantle.
• “For starters, you are not to leave this estate without my permission. There are eyes everywhere, and I can’t guarantee your safety beyond these walls.”
• Madeline’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “That sounds more like a prison than a marriage.”
• Ivan’s gaze darkened.
• “Would you prefer I return you to your family?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm. “I’m sure they’d be eager to face the consequences of breaking our agreement.”
• Madeline’s breath hitched.
• The threat hung in the air like a guillotine, sharp and inescapable.
• She clenched her fists in her lap, nails digging into her palms. “Fine,” she bit out. “Anything else?”
• “You will accompany me to public events when required,” he continued. “You will speak only when necessary. And you will conduct yourself in a manner befitting the wife of Ivan Callahan.”
• Madeline let out a dry laugh. “You mean I’m supposed to act like I love you?”
• Ivan’s gaze flickered, and for a moment, something unreadable passed over his face.
• “No,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I don’t expect love.”
• His next words sent a chill down her spine.
• “I expect loyalty.”
• The weight of that single word settled over her like a shroud.
• Loyalty.
• To a man she barely knew.
• To a man who had threatened her family, locked her in a room, and now expected her obedience.
• Her throat tightened. “And what do I get in return?”
• Ivan studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable.
• “Your family lives. Your brother goes free. And you stay alive.”
• Blunt. Merciless.
• A cage with just enough room to breathe.
• Madeline’s chest tightened, but she kept her expression neutral. “Do you understand?” he asked.
• A moment passed.
• Then she nodded. “I understand.”
• “Good.” Ivan leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’ll learn quickly that I don’t tolerate mistakes.”
• The rest of the day passed in a haze.
• Madeline wandered the halls of the mansion, taking in the vast, intimidating space that was now her prison.
• The staff moved quietly around her, avoiding eye contact. Only Kayla seemed willing to speak, her timid smiles offering a small comfort in an otherwise isolating day.
• By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Madeline found herself in the library.
• She ran her fingers along the spines of the books, letting the textures ground her.
• “You’ve been quiet,” a voice said behind her.
• She spun around.
• Ivan stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders framed by the warm glow of the hallway light.
• She swallowed. He looked… different like this. Less like a ruthless mafia lord, more like a man who had just stepped away from a long day of work.
• “Do you always sneak up on people like that?” she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
• Ivan smirked. “You should be more aware of your surroundings.”
• Madeline crossed her arms. “What do you want?”
• “I came to see how you’re settling in.” His voice was even, but there was an edge to it.
• She frowned. “Why do you care?”
• For a moment, he didn’t respond. He simply looked at her, his gaze lingering a little too long.
• Then, with a faint shrug, he said, “You’re my responsibility now.”
• Madeline’s chest tightened.
• She wasn’t sure what unsettled her more—the words themselves, or the way he said them.
• Like he meant them.
• Like he wasn’t just talking about an arrangement.
• Like he was talking about something else entirely.