Letting out a husky chuckle, he opened the doors of a room. A master bedroom. Only a king-sized bed sat in the vast room. Other furniture was yet to be brought there. The walls were painted in light blue and white.

“I want a big family, Rosebud. And children need a big home to play and grow up.”

At the image of him with little Aces running around the house, my heart bloomed with an unknown emotion. But it withered away as soon as I thought of some girl who’d be the mother of his children.

“This is where my beautiful future wife will be living with me. Our very own personal bedroom,” he said.

My chest squeezed as my eyes roamed the bedroom. She’d be living here with him, sleeping with him on this bed…

But he said he wanted me…

Just because he was interested in me didn’t mean he’d see his future in me.

The nails digging into my palms brought me back from my disturbing thoughts. The possessiveness and hurt I found in my inner thoughts unnerved me.

Why did he even bring me here to see his future home? One moment he declared I was his, and the next moment he showed me his and his future wife’s bedroom?

“Is there anything else you want me to show? Because I want to go home now. I’m hungry and tired.” My tone was clipped.

A small crease formed on his forehead, sensing my sudden change of mood. Something flashed over his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitched.

“Yes, there is. Come with me.”

Even after my protest, he dragged me to the adjoined balcony. And when I saw the view, my complaints died down.

The balcony was right above the rose garden. Soft night breeze blowing across the open meadow ahead of us touched my face. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the sweet mild fragrance of roses. The full moon hung high right up in the sky.

“It’s more beautiful during the day. Even the meadow is filled with flowers,” he spoke, standing close behind me.

Suddenly I wanted to come here during the daylight. But with what right? As a family friend he might be interested in and going to forget very soon?

A pressure built in my throat, choking me. My eyes burnt with emotions crashing on my chest.

I shouldn’t have come here.

“I arranged dinner for us. Let’s go downstairs.”

When he aimed for my hand, I stepped back, crossing my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling cold. A frown etched between his brows.

“I want to go home now. Can we just do that?”

“Emerald, you—”

“Please, Ace. I’m tired.” I was tired of my emotions, my lack of control. I was tired of my constant fighting.