I woke up earlier than usual.

Not because I wanted to.

Because I couldn't sleep properly.

My mind kept replaying everything from last night—the wedding, the house, the dinner, the stupid good-night kiss joke… and then him standing outside my door acting calm like he didn't just ruin my entire day.

I groaned and rolled to the other side of the bed.

This mattress was too soft.

The pillows were too fluffy.

The sheets smelled like expensive laundry detergent I'd never used before.

Everything here felt unfamiliar.

Too comfortable.

Too quiet.

Too… him.

I hated that.

I dragged myself up and shuffled toward the bathroom. After washing my face, I stared at my reflection for a moment.

My eyes were slightly puffy.

My hair was a mess.

And I looked like someone who fought with a dragon yesterday.

Or an alpha.

Which was basically the same thing.

"Tsk," I muttered and brushed my fingers through my hair.

After getting dressed… well still putting on my nightwear, I walked out of my room, and the hallway was still dim. The house was huge, and the silence inside made it feel even bigger.

I started heading downstairs, expecting to see the maids preparing breakfast.

Instead…

I saw him.

Lucian.

At the bottom of the stairs.

Already awake, dressed, staring.

Why was he always so put together?

And why the hell was he watching the staircase like he'd been waiting for me?

I paused halfway down. "Why are you standing there like a statue?"

His lips twitched. "Good morning to you too."

I ignored that. "You're blocking the way."

"I'm not blocking anything," he said calmly. "I'm simply standing."

"Then stand somewhere else," I muttered as I continued down.

He didn't move.

Of course.

By the time I reached him, our shoulders almost brushed. I tried to walk past him, but he tilted his head slightly.

"You slept early," he said.

"What's your business with my sleep?" I replied without looking at him.

"You were tired."

"And you talk too much," I shot back.

I walked toward the dining area, but he followed behind at a slow, steady pace. Like some quiet shadow that refused to leave me alone.

The maids greeted me, and I sat at the far end of the table deliberately—but Lucian still chose the seat closest to mine.

"Do you always follow people around in the morning?" I asked.

"Only my spouse," he replied casually, pouring himself water.

I almost choked on air.

"Your what?"

He looked at me like the answer was obvious. "Spouse."

I snorted loudly. "Don't call me that."

"What should I call you then?" he asked.

"Nothing."

He chuckled.

"Not an option," he said.

I glared at him. He didn't look away. He never does.

" I told you not to talk to me, leave me alone" I said but he acted like he's deaf.

The maid served breakfast—toast, sausages, eggs, fresh fruit. Probably the type of thing he ate every day. I picked up my fork and started eating quietly.

Lucian watched for a moment before he spoke again.

"You didn't say good morning."

I paused mid-bite. "Are you five?"

"Maybe."

I blinked slowly, trying to understand how this man could be both annoying and strangely calm at the same time.

He leaned slightly toward me. Not close enough to touch, but close enough for me to sense him.

"Say good morning," he said softly.

"No."

"I'll wait."

I sighed deeply, put my fork down, and glared at him again—this time for long enough that the maids quietly slipped away.

"Fine," I muttered. "Good morning."

He smiled.

And the annoying part?

It didn't look fake. It looked… real.

"Good morning, Mika," he replied.

I looked away immediately, heat crawling up my neck. I hated how warm his voice sounded when he said my name.

I took another bite of my food, pretending not to care, but inside my chest, everything felt weird and uncomfortable.

This house was too quiet.

This man was too attentive.

And this new life…

It already felt too complicated.

One thing was clear:

I needed to build a wall between us.

A tall one.

A strong one.

With barbed wire.

Because if I didn't—

I might start getting used to him, to the man I met yesterday, also one that I hated so much.

And that was something I could never allow.