Just 90 Days

ROSALIE'S POV

Striding into the mansion, I halted as two maids approached and the familiar motherly figure, Ms. Agnes.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Blackwood," she said with a slight bow.

A frown crept across my face.

"Rosalie is better, please," I said softly.

She blinked, confused by my words.

"Take her luggage to the bedroom, Agnes," Elijah's voice thundered, sending her into a hurried bow before she scurried off with the other maid.

I marched toward where Elijah sat.

"Please inform your maids and everyone else not to address me as Mrs. Blackwood," I said evenly.

His brow furrowed. "Isn't that why you're here? To act like my wife? If I tell everyone not to call you that, wouldn't it void the contract?" he retorted, holding my gaze.

I folded my arms beneath my breasts.

"But it's fake. The sooner people start using my real name, the easier it will be when this contract ends," I said.

I didn't want Chris feeling uncomfortable when we went out and strangers called me Mrs. Blackwood.

His lips twitched. Rising to his feet, he moved closer while I backed away.

"What exactly do you want? No sex, and now you don't want my name?"

"I want boundaries. I don't think that's too hard to—"

"But I don't want boundaries," he cut in.

My eyes widened as I stared at him.

"You are my wife for these ninety days, so the faster you accept it, the better for you and your fiance," he added with a sly smile.

It was a smile I desperately wanted to wipe off his face.

He knew exactly which nerves to pluck, like a musician who had memorized every string.

"Can I at least have a different room?"

His lips parted to respond, but I beat him to it.

"It's for privacy," I added.

I knew he might refuse.

He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over my body before settling on my crossed arms, fixed squarely on my boobs.

Seeing his eyes linger there, I cleared my throat.

"No sex between us, Elijah," I reminded him, my voice rising as I covered my chest.

“I never said I wanted sex. You've repeated the word so often that I'm starting to wonder what's hiding behind it." He reached out to touch my face, but I slapped his hand away.

"Nothing is hiding behind my words. I just have more morals than you," I replied, then turned and stormed upstairs before he could do something crazy.

The mansion hadn't changed. Every line and corner remained exactly as we had chosen before our wedding.

My steps faltered at the sight of the familiar door, which swung open as Agnes walked out.

"Ma'am, your luggage is inside. Do you want me to...?"

"I won't be staying in this room. Please move my things to the guest room," I interrupted calmly.

She blinked innocently, but before she could turn, a firm voice rang out.

"You can go and make dinner, Agnes."

Elijah's words forced me to turn around.

Without sparing me a glance, he strode inside.

I followed him in. "I told you I don't want to share a room with you. This violates our agreement." My voice rose sharply as I stood in the center of the room.

"Trust me, I don't want you in my space either, so…" He paused, then walked toward a door I didn't even know existed.

The last time we stayed in this room, I could have sworn there had been only a bare wall there.

He pushed it open. "You'll be staying here." He gestured at the space beyond.

A gasp slipped from my lips.

"You must be joking," I said in disbelief.

Another room, connected to his own?

"This is the only room I have left. Either you stay here with me or move into that one," he said with a careless shrug.

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

"How can I stay in a room you can walk into at any time?" I asked, rage churning in my chest.

"It's your choice, Rosalie," he replied lazily, drifting away from the door toward his desk and removing his wristwatch.

My stomach tightened.

"It feels peaceful here. I miss this woody scent," Kara said in my head.

My frown deepened as I pushed her thoughts away.

Staring at his broad shoulders, I knew it was useless to argue with him, so I strode into the room.

Luckily, I managed to lock the door behind me before slumping onto the queen-size bed.

My eyes fixed on the white ceiling.

"Just ninety days," I whispered, more like to remind myself than anyone else.

Then a thought struck me, I quickly sat up and opened one of my suitcases.

A smile spread across my face at the little frame of Chris and me. I placed it on the vanity beside my bed.

"Perfect," I whispered. With it staring back at me, it felt like Chris could watch over me, and I could watch over him.

The thought had barely sunk in when the shrill ring of my phone broke through the silence.

My lips curved at the name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, baby…" My voice came out low.

"How is it going over there?" Chris asked while I tapped my feet lightly on the floor.

"Nothing serious for now. I've moved into my room. How about we go out this weekend? I have—"

"When does he plan to give you the money he promised?" Chris's voice cut me off.

My brow knitted closer. "I just moved in, Chris. Besides, we still need to draft a proper contract between us. I'm not comfortable with some of the previous terms."

My shoulders sagged at my own words.

"Come on, baby. You don't have to feel pressured by him. As long as you stay faithful, get the money, and spend the ninety days with him, trust me, you'll be fine," he assured me, bringing a smile to my face.

"Then it's settled. I'll just focus on that. This weekend, can we hang out before you leave for the Maldives?" I asked. I would be bored to death living alone with that arrogant jerk.

The other end of the line went silent for a moment before he cleared his throat.

"Umm… I'm leaving for the Maldives tonight."

His words landed like a bomb in my chest.

"Why? I mean, you didn't tell me you were leaving so soon?" My voice came out louder than intended.

He exhaled heavily. "I was going to tell you, but…"

"But what?”