Signed and Sealed

Adrian kept staring at her a second longer, his head tilted just slightly. “You sure? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

Lina slipped the phone deeper into her bag and stood up straighter. “It’s nothing. Just a wrong number. Happens all the time.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead he walked over to a sleek side table and picked up two copies of the contract. “Initial every page. I already did mine. The agency will file the official one tomorrow morning.”

Lina took the pen again. Her hand still shook a little as she flipped through the thick stack. Page after page of cold legal words. No overnight guests. No personal phone calls in his presence without permission. Appearances must look natural but affectionate in public only. Separate bedrooms. No questions about his schedule.

“You really thought of everything,” she muttered as she signed the third page.

Adrian leaned against the table, arms crossed. “I don’t leave things to chance.

She glanced up at him. “That’s all this is for you?”

“Exactly.” His voice stayed flat. “My father’s will is clear. One full year of stable marriage or the entire inheritance stays locked. I’m not risking it on someone who might catch feelings and complicate things. You need money. I need a wife on paper. Simple.”

Lina signed another page, pressing harder than she meant to. “And what if I can’t pretend perfectly? What if I mess up at some fancy dinner and say the wrong thing?”

“Then the contract ends and you get nothing. Your brother gets nothing extra either.” He watched her face closely. “But you won’t mess up. You look like someone who does what needs to be done.”

She finished the last signature and slid the papers back to him. “There. Done. When do I move in?”

“Tonight.” Adrian checked his watch. “Pack whatever you need. One suitcase only. The rest will be provided. My driver will pick you up at eight. Be ready.”

“Tonight?” Lina’s voice rose. “I have to say goodbye to my brother. Explain this somehow.”

“Explain it however you want. Just keep the details light. He doesn’t need to know the full terms.” Adrian walked her toward the private elevator. “Remember the first rule. No emotional displays here. Save them for when you’re alone.”

The elevator doors opened. Lina stepped inside, clutching her bag. “Fine. Eight o’clock. I’ll be ready.”

As the doors started to close, Adrian called out, “One more thing, Lina.”

She stuck her hand out to stop them. “What?”

“Don’t bring any old pictures or letters. I don’t want reminders of whatever life you had before this. This penthouse is neutral ground.”

Lina nodded once and let the doors shut. The ride down felt too fast. Her mind raced the whole way back to the hospital.

Her brother was sitting up when she walked in, looking a little stronger after the meds. “You’re back early. How did the meeting go?”

She sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand. “It went okay. I got the job. The contract is signed. They’re covering your full treatment, all of it. I start tonight.”

“Tonight?” He squeezed her fingers. “That’s sudden. Tell me more about this guy. Is he decent at least?”

Lina forced a laugh. “He’s… rich. Cold. All business. But he agreed to the medical part without arguing. That’s what matters.”

Her brother searched her face. “You don’t sound happy. You sound scared.”

“I’m not scared,” she said quickly. “Just tired. And worried about leaving you here alone.”

“I’ll be fine. The nurses like me. They sneak me extra pudding.” He tried to smile. “Just promise you’ll call every day. And if this rich guy turns out to be a jerk, you walk away. Money isn’t worth everything.”

She leaned in and hugged him carefully. “I promise. I’ll call tomorrow morning. Get some rest and don’t give the nurses a hard time.”

By seven-thirty she was back at her tiny apartment, throwing clothes into one suitcase. Jeans, a couple of dresses, her favorite sweater. She stared at an old photo of her and Ethan on the dresser for a long second, then shoved it into a drawer.

At exactly eight the black car pulled up outside. The driver didn’t say much, just loaded her bag and drove her back to the Korr Tower in silence.

Adrian was waiting in the living room when she stepped out of the elevator. He had changed into a dark shirt, sleeves rolled up. “You’re on time. Good.”

Lina set her suitcase down. “Where should I put this?”

“Guest room. Down the hall, last door on the left.” He pointed without looking up from his tablet. “Dinner is at seven every evening unless I say otherwise. Breakfast is at seven-thirty. You eat with me when I’m home. It looks better for the staff.”

She picked up the suitcase and started walking. “Staff? How many people work here?”

“Three during the day. Cleaner, cook, assistant. They leave by six. At night it’s just us.” He finally looked at her. “Any questions before we set the ground rules again?”

Lina stopped in the hallway. “Yeah. What do I call you in private? Mr. Korr? Adrian? Husband?”

His mouth twitched, almost a smile but not quite. “Adrian is fine. Save the husband act for outside these walls.”

She nodded and carried her bag to the guest room. The space was bigger than her whole apartment. White sheets, big windows, a bathroom attached. It felt too clean. Too empty.

When she came back out, Adrian was pouring two glasses of water. He handed her one. “Drink. You look like you haven’t had anything all day.”

She took it and sipped. “Thanks. So… what now? Do we practice being married or something?”

“No practice needed yet. Tomorrow we have our first public appearance. A charity gala. You’ll wear what I choose. Smile. Stay close. Answer questions with short, positive answers.” He set his glass down. “And Lina?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep everything clean while you’re here.”

Lina’s fingers tightened around the glass. “Clean. Got it.”

Adrian watched her for another beat, then turned toward his own room. “Goodnight. Don’t stay up late. We start early.”

He disappeared down the hall. Lina stood there alone in the huge living room, the city lights sparkling outside the windows. The weight of the signed papers sat heavy in her chest.

She pulled out her phone one last time and typed a quick message to her brother. “Made it safe. Call you tomorrow. Love you.”

Before she could put it away, another text came in from that same old number.

Ethan: I know you saw my message. Please. Just five minutes. I miss you.

Lina deleted it again, heart racing. She looked toward Adrian’s closed door, then back at her phone.

The contract was signed. She was here now. But the past wasn’t staying quiet.

She had a feeling things were only going to get more complicated.