Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The First Inspection

Abby rushed home from her afternoon café shift, her legs aching and her uniform still smelling of coffee and grease. She had barely slept the night before, worried about the upcoming government inspection. Luke had texted her earlier — short and direct: “Inspection scheduled for 6 PM today. Be home by 5:30. Make sure the couple’s room looks perfect.”

She glanced at her watch. 5:15 PM. Just enough time to change and prepare.

The apartment was quiet when she entered. Luke was already there, adjusting the photos in the sitting room one last time. He wore a casual but neat shirt and pants, looking composed as always. His gray eyes flicked toward her as she closed the door.

“You’re cutting it close,” he said flatly.

“Sorry. The shift ran late,” Abby replied, catching her breath. The pain in her joints was worse today, but she pushed it down. “I’ll change quickly.”

She hurried to her real bedroom, swapped her uniform for a simple blouse and jeans, then went to the master bedroom — the “couple’s room.” She straightened the mixed clothes in the wardrobe, placed her medication bottle visibly on the nightstand next to Luke’s watch, and fluffed the pillows to make the bed look recently used by both of them. The court photos on the nightstand stared back at her — stiff images of their signing day.

In the sitting room, Luke had already set out two glasses of water and arranged the couch cushions to look lived-in. The photos on the shelves showed them as a couple. It all looked convincingly real, but the pretense made Abby’s stomach twist.

At exactly 5:45 PM, Luke spoke again. “Remember the rules for today. Sit close to me on the couch. Hold my hand if they ask. Smile. Answer questions naturally. We’ve been married for a week, adjusting to life together. Nothing more.”

Abby nodded, her heart racing. “I know. No mistakes.”

A knock sounded on the door at 6:00 PM sharp. Two government officials — a middle-aged woman named Ms. Carter and a younger man — stood outside with clipboards and polite smiles.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington,” Ms. Carter said. “We’re here for the initial home verification visit under the One-Year Marriage Incentive Program. May we come in?”

Luke opened the door wider, his hand lightly touching Abby’s lower back as he guided her forward — the first real physical contact since they met. Abby forced a small smile, trying to ignore how warm his hand felt through her blouse.

“Of course,” Luke said smoothly, his voice calmer than usual. “Please come in.”

The officials stepped inside, eyes scanning the sitting room. Ms. Carter nodded approvingly at the photos on the shelves. “Nice touch. You two look happy in these pictures.”

Abby felt her cheeks heat up. “Thank you. It’s still new, but we’re trying.”

They were invited to sit on the couch. Luke sat first and gently pulled Abby down beside him, close enough that their thighs touched. His arm rested casually behind her on the couch back — not quite around her shoulders, but close enough to look natural. Abby’s pulse quickened at the proximity. She could smell his clean, masculine scent and feel the tension in his body.

Ms. Carter began the questions while the younger official took notes. “How has the first week of married life been? Any challenges adjusting to living together?”

Luke answered first, his tone steady. “It’s been an adjustment, but positive. We both came from difficult situations, so we understand each other’s needs. Abby works hard, and I respect that.”

Abby added softly, “Yes. Luke has been supportive with my health issues. We’re learning to share the space peacefully.”

The officials asked about daily routines, sleeping arrangements, and how they handled chores. Luke mentioned separate bedrooms for privacy but confirmed they spent time together in the living areas. When asked to show the bedrooms, Luke led them to the master bedroom first.

“Here’s our main room,” he said, opening the door.

Abby’s heart pounded as the officials looked around. They noted the mixed clothes in the wardrobe, the two sets of items on the nightstands, and the court photos. Ms. Carter smiled. “It looks comfortable. You’ve made it feel like a shared space.”

Abby forced another smile, standing close to Luke. He placed his hand lightly on her waist for a moment — a small gesture that sent an unexpected shiver through her. It was all for show, but it felt strangely real in the moment.

They moved to Abby’s actual private bedroom next, where she had quickly hidden most personal items earlier. The officials seemed satisfied that the main areas showed a genuine married life.

Back in the sitting room, the questions continued for another twenty minutes. They asked about future plans, how they supported each other, and whether they had any concerns about the program. Luke answered most questions calmly, occasionally glancing at Abby to let her speak.

When the visit finally ended, Ms. Carter shook their hands. “Everything looks compliant so far. We’ll process the report quickly. The first payment should be released within 48 hours after verification. Congratulations on your marriage.”

As soon as the door closed behind the officials, Luke stepped away from Abby, the warmth disappearing instantly. He ran a hand through his hair, the cold mask returning.

“Good job,” he said curtly. “You didn’t mess up.”

Abby let out a shaky breath, the tension draining from her body. Her joints ached fiercely now from the stress and standing so long. “Thanks. It felt so awkward… pretending like that.”

Luke walked to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. “It’s necessary. The payment will come soon now. Use it for your surgery.”

The next morning, Abby woke to her phone buzzing with a bank notification. The first payment from the One-Year Marriage Incentive Program had been deposited — forty percent of the total amount. It was enough to cover most of her surgery and follow-up treatment.

Tears of relief filled her eyes. She sat up quickly, ignoring the sharp ache in her joints, and read the message again. The money was finally here.

She quickly typed a message to her mother: “The first payment came through. I’m going to the hospital today to book the surgery.”

Her mother replied almost immediately with praying emojis and heart symbols. Abby smiled through her tears. This was the reason she had signed that contract with the cold stranger.

She got dressed and stepped out of her room. Luke was in the kitchen, drinking coffee and scrolling through his phone. He looked up when she entered.

“The payment arrived,” Abby said quietly, her voice still thick with emotion. “Thank you… for everything. I’m heading to the hospital now to book the surgery.”

Luke set his cup down, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Good. The inspection went well, so the rest of the money should follow if we keep complying. Do you need anything before you go?”

Abby hesitated. “Actually… the hospital said they need some documents from my legal spouse for the admission process. Since you’re now my husband on paper, they want your signature on a few consent forms and medical information sheets. Would you be able to come with me today?”

Luke’s jaw tightened slightly. He clearly didn’t like the idea of getting more involved than necessary. But after a short pause, he nodded once.

“Fine. I’ll drive. Let’s get it over with.”

The drive to the hospital was silent. Luke focused on the road while Abby stared out the window, her mind racing with hope and anxiety. When they arrived, the hospital lobby was busy as usual. Abby led the way to the surgical department.

The receptionist recognized her immediately. “Mrs. Harrington, we received the payment confirmation this morning. Let’s get you scheduled.”

They were taken to a consultation room where Dr. Patel reviewed Abby’s file. “The surgery is urgent, but we still need to run a few more tests and X-rays to confirm the current state of the inflammation and organ function. We’ll also need daily observations for the next week to stabilize you before the procedure. The earliest surgery date we can set is in about ten days.”

Abby nodded, feeling both relieved and nervous. “That’s fine. I’ll do whatever is needed.”

Dr. Patel turned to Luke. “As her legal spouse, we’ll need your signature on several consent forms, emergency contact information, and medical history documents. It’s standard procedure.”

Luke sat down at the desk and began filling out the forms with precise handwriting. Abby watched him quietly. It felt strange seeing him involved in her medical situation — this cold man who had insisted on strict boundaries now signing papers as her husband.

After the paperwork, the nurse took Abby for blood tests and an X-ray. Luke waited in the hallway. When Abby came out, she looked pale and tired.

“The tests will take a few hours to process,” the nurse said. “We’d like you to come back daily for the next week for observation — blood pressure, joint assessment, and medication adjustment.”

Abby agreed, already calculating how she would balance her three jobs with these daily hospital visits. She still couldn’t quit working completely until more payments came through.

As they left the hospital, Luke spoke for the first time since signing the documents. “You’ll need to come here every day?”

“Yes,” Abby replied softly. “For observation. It’s part of the preparation. I’ll try to schedule around my shifts.”

Luke started the car, his grip tight on the steering wheel. “If the visits are in the afternoon, I can drive you sometimes. But don’t expect me to sit in waiting rooms every day. This is still a business arrangement.”

Abby nodded, too grateful for the ride and the payment to argue. “I understand. Thank you for coming today. It made the paperwork easier.”

The drive back was quiet again. When they arrived, Abby went straight to her room to rest before her evening call center shift. Her body ached from the morning’s activities, but the knowledge that the surgery was now scheduled gave her strength.

Over the next few days, a new routine formed. Abby continued working her three jobs as much as she could, but the daily hospital visits took priority. Each afternoon, she would go for observation — blood pressure checks, joint examinations, and medication reviews. Sometimes Luke drove her when his schedule allowed. Other times, she took the bus.

During one visit, while waiting for the doctor, Abby sat looking exhausted. Luke had come with her that day. He sat beside her in silence for a while before speaking.

“You look pale,” he said curtly. “Are the daily visits too much on top of your jobs?”

Abby gave a small smile. “I have to manage. The money helped a lot, but I still need to support my family.”

Luke didn’t reply immediately. He simply waited outside the examination room like a silent shadow.

On the fifth day, Abby’s pain flared badly after a long night shift. She barely made it through the visit. When she came out, she was sweating and her hands were shaking.

Luke noticed immediately. He took her arm gently to steady her. “Sit down. I’ll get you some water.”

Abby was surprised by the gesture. She sat while Luke brought her water and waited until she felt steadier.

“You don’t have to do this,” she whispered. “I know you want to keep things strictly business.”

Luke looked away, his voice low. “I’m not carrying you home if you collapse. Just rest for a minute.”

The small crack in his cold exterior gave Abby a strange flutter in her chest. She quickly pushed the feeling down. This was still a contract.

As the week continued, Abby felt the weight of the pretense growing. The couple’s room stayed ready, the photos remained on the shelves, and they maintained their careful distance at home. But the forced closeness at the hospital — Luke signing documents, driving her, and occasionally showing tiny moments of concern — was slowly chipping away at the strict boundaries they had set.

The surgery was now only a few days away.

And Abby couldn’t help but wonder how much longer they could both pretend that this marriage was nothing but a cold transaction.