Phoenix's Deceptress Wife

THREE

"N-Nix?"

"Stop calling me that." My voice was sharp as I glared at her. Hailey immediately bowed her head, clearly cowed by my tone. I hated being called "Nix" because it reminded me of her—the first person who ever called me that. Once, it made me feel special, but now, all it did was bring up feelings of resentment and betrayal.

I shoved the door open and stepped into her room, scanning it with a critical eye. It was clean, almost too perfect—just like her. The space was filled with paintings, sculptures, and decorative displays. It screamed of refinement and artistry, things that didn't fit with the image I had of her. If I didn't know better, I might have thought the room belonged to someone genuine.

"So, this is your room?" I sneered. "How much did Grandpa spend on all this crap?"

She didn't answer, just kept her head bowed.

"Leech," I muttered under my breath, loud enough for her to hear.

"Do you need something?" she finally asked, her voice quiet, still refusing to look at me.

I crossed the room, turning to face her. She looked up, and for a moment, our eyes met. I couldn't deny the beauty in her almond-shaped eyes, framed by long, delicate lashes. Those eyes were the reason everyone seemed so drawn to her—everyone except me. They were dangerous, manipulative. If I believed in magic, I'd swear she had bewitched everyone with those eyes.

"About the wedding," I said, keeping my tone cold and businesslike. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Was she seriously excited about this? "Why did you agree to marry me?"

Silence.

"Answer me, bitch," I demanded.

Her voice was barely above a whisper when she finally spoke. "I just want Grandpa to be happy."

I scoffed. "Of course. Leeching off him, right? Hoping to get 50% of his wealth once he's gone?"

"I'm not after Grandpa's money," she protested, but her voice was weak, unconvincing.

"Oh, please. Don't play innocent with me. Everyone knows Grandpa loves you more than me. You've manipulated him just like you manipulate everyone else, using your charm."

"Why are you so mad at me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I'm not doing anything to you. We were friends once, weren't we?"

I barked a humorless laugh. "That was before you took everything from me."

She looked genuinely confused, her wide eyes searching my face for some kind of explanation. "I didn't take anything from you, N-Nix—" She caught herself, realizing her mistake. "I didn't take anything from you."

I stared at her, barely able to contain my anger. Sure, she looked like a goddess, an epitome of beauty—every man's dream. But I knew better. "You took everyone's attention. My parents' attention. Grandpa's attention. All of it should have been mine." I waved a hand at the art pieces in her room. "Look at all this! I should have been the one asking Grandpa for these things. I'm his only real grandchild, not you."

"I never asked Grandpa for any of this," she said softly, her hands clasped in front of her, trembling.

"Bullshit!" I yelled, and she flinched, pressing her hands tighter together as if trying to steady herself.

I took a step closer, lowering my voice into a dangerous whisper. "After the wedding, you'll live with me at my condo. You'll cook for me, wash my clothes, prepare my things, and please me in bed."

Her eyes widened in fear. "C-can't we just stay here?"

"No. You'll follow my rules. You'll be my wife, and that means you'll come with me. Or do you not know how to do any housework, princess? It's not like you've had to lift a finger in this mansion."

"But I can't leave Grandpa," she pleaded, her voice breaking.

"Stop leeching off him," I said coldly. "You'll come with me, and you have no choice in the matter." Without waiting for a response, I turned and left her room.

***

THE next morning, I woke up early and headed out to the veranda where Grandpa always sat. As expected, he was already there, talking with Hailey. She was handing him a cup of coffee, and he was smiling warmly at her.

"Oh, Phoenix!" Grandpa beamed when he saw me approaching. "Come, join us!"

I kissed him on the forehead and sat down next to him, glaring briefly at Hailey, who smiled sweetly in return. Fake, just like always.

"I spoke with—" I hesitated, hating the fact that I had to say her name. "—Hailey yesterday. We agreed that after the wedding, she'll move in with me at my condo."

Grandpa's eyes shifted to Hailey. "Is that true, Hailey?"

I interrupted before she could speak. "She's my wife, Grandpa. I want her by my side. You said I should protect her, didn't you? And besides, the mansion's too far from my office."

Grandpa nodded but turned back to Hailey. "The decision is yours, Hija," he said gently.

I gritted my teeth, angry that he was putting the decision in her hands. Of course, she would agree to whatever I said. She didn't have a choice.

"Yes, Grandpa, I'll go with him," she said, her voice soft and obedient.

"Are you sure?" Grandpa asked, concern in his voice. She nodded, and he finally relented. "If that's what you want."

Grandpa turned to me with a smile. "So, you saw her room yesterday?"

"Yes," I replied tersely, already annoyed by the direction of the conversation.

"You noticed the paintings and sculptures in her room, didn't you?"

"Yeah," I muttered, barely able to mask my irritation. "Why?"

"Those are all Hailey's work," Grandpa said proudly.

I stopped mid-sip, staring at him. "Her work?"

"Yes," he nodded. "She's an artist. She loves to paint and carve. She even sells some of her pieces. I've introduced her to some of my friends, and they've bought her work."

I turned my gaze to Hailey, who was sitting with her head bowed, as if embarrassed by the praise. Grandpa patted her hand affectionately. "She's quite talented, isn't she? Take care of her, Phoenix."

I forced a smile, barely able to hide my disdain. I didn't care how talented she was. She was still a leech in my eyes.

Later, as we discussed the wedding, my phone rang. I excused myself, surprised to see Jessa's name on the screen. I quickly stepped away to take the call.

"Jessa?"

"Is it true?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Did you really invest in Luxury?"

"Yeah, I did," I replied cautiously.

"Jace told me you paid for the investment by agreeing to marry someone."

I clenched my jaw. Damn Jace and his loose mouth.

"Jessa, listen—"

"Do you still love me, Phoenix?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?"

"Do you still love me?"

"Yes," I admitted, my voice soft. "That's why I'm doing all of this. For you. To get you back."

"Meet me at the Luxury Hotel, room 14, before the wedding." She hung up before I could respond.

Was she really back in the Philippines? I thought she was in the U.S., preparing for her own wedding.

But now, I had to see her. I had to talk to her. I needed to explain why I was doing all of this.