Contractually yes.

Liora

What the hell is he doing?

I couldn’t make sense of it, couldn’t read his face, let alone his mind. He didn’t seem angry, or kind, or anything specific… just calm. And that was somehow worse.

Still, I took the painkillers and washed them down with the water. My pride told me to act like I was fine, like I had everything under control. But the truth was, I was still ridiculously hungover.

But hey, I’ve done worse with less.

Besides, what did I have to lose at this point?

It’s not like he was trying to poison me… right?

I mean, why would he? It’s not like I’m still some heiress to a billion-dollar fortune. I don’t have enemies or secrets or a throne to inherit. I’m just me.

After swallowing the pills, I sat back, letting the silence stretch for a moment as I tried to ignore the dull throb in my head. Then, quietly, I asked, “Where are you taking me?”

He didn’t even glance my way. “Home,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Our home.”

I blinked, taken aback. “Our home?” I echoed, turning to stare at him.

He nodded once, eyes still very much fixed on the road

I stared at the side of his face, trying to figure out if he was joking or just... living in a different reality. “You do realize we’re married contractually, right? Like, it’s just a year. One year and this whole thing ends." So him, Calling it our home is a stretch.

“Contractually, yes,” he said without any hesitation. “But that still makes you my wife. And I want my wife home. Today.”

I sat there, stunned, unsure whether to laugh, argue, or jump out of the moving car.

It was the way he said it, so steady, like he wasn’t trying to convince me, just stating facts.

God, what did I just sign up for?

“Whatever,” I mumbled, leaning my head against the window. The pills were starting to kick in, but the headache hadn’t fully let go yet. “Married or not, I think I still have the right to visit my place today, don’t I? I mean… I need to pack my things. Unless you want me wandering around your precious ‘house’ naked.”

He didn’t even flinch. Just kept his hands steady on the wheel.

“You won’t be needing those dresses anymore, anyway.” he said calmly. “But do it your way. I’ll send you home now. My driver will come get you later.”

I blinked and slowly sat up straighter.

He knew where I lived?

This smug, overreaching son of a …

I ground my teeth, fingers curling into fists in my lap. My jaw tightened, but I said nothing. No outburst, no spitting out the words bubbling in the pit of my stomach, Because if I opened my mouth now, I wasn’t sure I could keep it civil.

In the end, he is still the one who is going to save my Caleb. I just have to put up with his bullshits for just a little more? Right?

“Alright." I said

The car rolled to a slow stop a few minutes later, on my street, but not directly in front of my house. Maybe ten houses down,

So yeah… he wasn’t bluffing. He actually knew where I lived.

This man.

I exhaled sharply through my nose, gripping the handle for a second before pushing the door open. The moment I stepped out and closed it behind me, the engine revved and his car peeled off down the road without hesitation.

Of course.

I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet settle around me, then started walking. Step by step, past peeling fences and familiar cracks in the pavement. Back to the life I’d managed to hold together before now.

***

“So you mean you got a new job?” Florence asked.

“Yeah,” I said, shoving a handful of underwear into the box and trying to make space. Neatly folded wasn’t even an option at this point, just get it all in and shut the damn lid.

“Well, it’s good. About time you got something that actually pays,” she said, arms folded. “Money’s important. But what about Caleb? You’re leaving for a whole year. Who’s going to look after him?”

I paused, sitting back on my heels. “The part payment is already going into his surgery,” I said softly. “They’re starting the prep today, and by the end of the week, he should be in line for a transplant. I’ll still come back whenever I can. Once, twice… maybe even three times a month if I’m lucky.”

“And the money?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “How are you sending it? You don’t expect me to starve while you’re off doing God-knows-what.”

I swallowed a sigh and looked down at my half-packed bag. It was always about the money.

I had imagined this moment a dozen times, even rehearsed the conversation in my head, but somehow it still stung. She didn’t even ask what kind of job it was. Not that I could tell her the truth anyway. That I was marrying a man she’d probably strangle on sight.

“I’ll send it to you every month,” I said with a faint smile. “Regularly.”

“Good. Good. My good daughter.” She patted my back with a too-cheerful grin, like I’d just told her I was going to win the lottery. “I always knew you were an angel. Here, let me help with the luggage.”

“No, no, it’s okay.” I returned the smile, just enough to keep things light. “I’ve got it.”

I hesitated for a second before looking her in the eye. “And… Please, take care of Caleb when he gets back.”

“Of course I will,” she said, waving a hand. “He’s my son too, remember? And don’t forget the money, okay? If you can add a little extra, that’d be great.” She winked and strolled off like everything was perfectly normal.

I sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh, running a hand through my hair. Well. That was done. One issue down. Now I just had to figure out how to convince Caleb that I was really going off for some job. That I wasn’t abandoning him. That I hadn’t sold my soul to some contract marriage just to survive.

But I didn’t have time to overthink it. His driver could show up any minute.

Ugh. This was so exhausting.

I packed the last few things quickly, zipped up the suitcase, and stood. My eyes scanned the room, my room. One last look.

Then I headed to the front door.

I grabbed the handle, took a breath, and opened it.

But my breath caught in my throat the second I saw who was standing there.

Of all the people I expected to see… not him.